Record-Breaking Flight Fulfills a Dream
One small plane -- one very big dream. And all came together when it counted, smashing the speed record for an around-the-world flight, and raising an amazing $145,000 for research on a deadly disease.
But to understand why these women were willing to risk it all to make history, you have to know their stories.
CarolAnn Garratt, now 54 years old, used to work at a Fortune 500 company, finding a niche in big business. But her real love was flying, so she earned her private pilot license in the late 1970s an completed her commercial license training in 1996. Four years later, she'd bought a Mooney and was soaring to success.
Carol Foy found her love of flying when her husband, an airline pilot, bought a Mooney of his own. After riding shotgun for a few flights, she decided she had better know how to land the plane in an emergency. That wasn't enough, and Carol now owns and flies three different aircraft and teaches new pilots how to travel safely.
Separately, each woman had passion. Together, they were unstoppable.
In 2003, CarolAnn flew around the world to raise money and awareness about ALS, the disease that eventually led to her mother's death. In 2006, Carol won the Air Race Classic. A year later, she had a family member diagnosed with ALSO. When the women learned about each other, they decided it was time to leave a lasting legacy.
They knew they had the potential to break the world record for traveling around the world, set back in May of 1988 and averaging a speed of 56.8 mph over 11 days, including stops. They hoped they could do it in 7 days, at an average of 140mph. That would take careful planning, precise flying, and the ability to survive the trip in tight, uncomfortable quarters, in possibly dangerous conditions. All of it would be done in a tiny single-engine plane.
A week later? Dream fulfilled, as they touched down after 8 days and 24,000 miles. The last leg took 22 hours and left them fatigued, but thrilled.
CarolAnn and Carol raised $145,000 for research on the disease that affected their lives, and the lives of so many others across the world.
Now, CarolAnn is writing a book about the trip, and is working to raise even more more and awareness.
Want to learn more?
Listen to CarolAnn's interview on The Growing Bolder Radio Show.
Visit the ALS World Flight Web site.
World Records Academy