Jennifer Murray
American helicopter pilot
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jennifer Murray (née Mather; born June 1940 in Providence, Rhode Island) is a pilot. In 2000 she circumnavigated the globe in a Robinson R44 helicopter, travelling 36,000 miles (58,000 km) in 97 days, earning her the Guinness World Record for the first helicopter circumnavigation by a woman.
Jennifer Murray | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 1940 (age 85) |
| Known for | First helicopter circumnavigation of the globe by a woman |
| Spouse | Simon Murray |
| Children | 3 |
Early life and education
Jennifer Mather was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in June 1940.[citation needed] She was educated at Downe House School in Berkshire, UK.[1][non-primary source needed] Her paternal grandfather was Sir William Mather, the British industrialist who was chairman of Mather & Platt.[2]
Career
Fastest circumnavigation
In August 1997, Murray became the first woman to fly a helicopter around the world when she co-piloted her Robinson R44 with Quentin Smith on the eastward circumnavigation.[3] The 97-day flight was also an eastbound speed record for a piston-powered helicopter.[4][5] The flight departed from Denham, Buckinghamshire, UK on 10 May 1997, and her stopover at Oakland Airport in California on 20 July is commemorated at the Oakland Aviation Museum. On 6 September 2000, Murray became the first woman to make a solo flight around the world in a helicopter and the first person to do so without autopilot.[4]
Pole to pole
In 2007, Murray and co-pilot Colin Bodill became the first to land a helicopter on both North and South Poles, their second attempt. Their first, in 2003, ended in a near-fatal crash in Antarctica, after Murray had just become the first woman to fly a helicopter to the South Pole.[4][6]
RacingThePlanet Nepal
At 71, Jennifer was an entrant in RacingThePlanet Nepal, a 250-kilometre (160 mi) ultramarathon starting on 20 November 2011. She withdrew after stage two.[7]
Personal life
Mather married Hong Kong businessman Simon Murray in 1966.[citation needed]
Awards and honours
- Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee 2005
- The Gambia issued a postage stamp in her honour in 2004
- Royal Aero Club - 1997 Silver Medal, 2000 Britannia Trophy
- Brabazon Cup
- Harmon Trophy
- Inducted in Forest of Friendship