Sky’s the limit for elderly Chinese woman pilot trying to inspire others
- Former military pilot Miao Xiaohong comes out of retirement to encourage girls to go into the profession
An 82-year-old Chinese woman pilot has taken to the skies again for first time in 30 years to encourage other women to take up flying.
Retired military pilot Miao Xiaohong took the controls of a single-engine light aircraft and lifted off from a small airport in Pinggu district in Beijing on Tuesday, Beijing Youth Daily reported on Sunday.
Miao did a range of manoeuvres during the 40-minute flight and was accompanied by a trainer.
She said there were not many women pilots – either military or civilian – in China and she wanted more girls to consider the career.
“I can still fly at 82. You young people are more likely to be able to fly and should do it better than me,” Miao was quoted as saying.
She prepared for the flight by doing arm exercises and walking 3,000 steps each day in the two months before take-off.
Miao said she was worried that she couldn’t do the flight but the nerves disappeared once she sat in the cockpit.