Aviation · 2019 World Record Attempt

This Girl Flies

Two pilots. One Cessna 150. Forty-eight states. Tess and her wife Morag set out to fly the fastest journey by plane to every contiguous US state — raising money for Wings for Warriors along the way.

The attempt

Two pilots, one Cessna, forty-eight states

In August 2019, Tess and Morag Morris-Paterson left the UK for a Guinness World Record attempt: the fastest journey by light aircraft to all 48 contiguous United States. The plan — around 10,000 nautical miles in a borrowed Cessna 150, flying up to seven hours a day for three weeks, camping under the wing between legs.

Every mile flew the flag for Wings for Warriors (registered charity 1148093), which helps wounded veterans retrain as pilots.

Cessna 150~10,000 nm48 states#ThisGirlFlies
Tess and Morag Morris-Paterson preparing at Fairoaks Airfield before the This Girl Flies attempt
Departure

London to White Plains

After final preparation flights from Fairoaks Airfield, the pair flew out of Heathrow to New York to collect the Cessna — then pointed its nose at New England and started the clock.

Tess and Morag departing London Heathrow for the start of the This Girl Flies world record attempt
The route

Follow the flight

Twenty-eight states in under three weeks — watch the route unfold. Tap a pin to revisit a stop.

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States
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Raised for Wings for Warriors
Ready for departure — White Plains, NY
Day 1 — New York — This Girl Flies world record attempt
Day 1 — New YorkWheels up. Two pilots, one Cessna 150, forty-eight states ahead.
Rutland, Vermont — This Girl Flies world record attempt
Rutland, VermontFirst stop of the attempt — tents pitched beside the airfield.
Portland, Maine — This Girl Flies world record attempt
Portland, MaineFour states down, forty-four to go.
New England sweptSeven states logged in the first days.
Westminster, Maryland — This Girl Flies world record attempt
Westminster, MarylandFuel for the aircraft — and pancakes for the pilots.
Missouri — This Girl Flies world record attempt
MissouriEighteen of forty-eight, seen from the best seat there is.
Monroe, Louisiana — This Girl Flies world record attempt
Monroe, LouisianaHosted by the US Air Force — and past £1,600 raised for Wings for Warriors.
De Queen, Arkansas — This Girl Flies world record attempt
De Queen, ArkansasSunset over the Cessna after another seven-hour flying day.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri — This Girl Flies world record attempt
Poplar Bluff, MissouriTwenty-eight states — and a Black Hawk for company on the ramp.
Paris, Arkansas — This Girl Flies world record attempt
Paris, ArkansasJourney's end. After repeated engine trouble and three emergency landings, safety made the call — with the local sheriff there to help.
The ending

Safety made the call

Twenty-eight states in, the Cessna's engine had other ideas. After repeated engine trouble and three emergency landings, Tess and Morag made the hardest — and most professional — decision in aviation: they stopped. The attempt ended at Paris, Arkansas, where the local sheriff collected two record chasers and their kit from the airfield.

No record. No regrets. As every pilot learns: it's better to be down here wishing you were up there, than up there wishing you were down here.

Tess and Morag Morris-Paterson heading home after the This Girl Flies attempt
Recognition

The Faith Bennett Navigation Cup

In December 2019 the British Women Pilots' Association awarded Tess and Morag the Faith Bennett Navigation Cup for the attempt — named for one of Britain's pioneering women in aviation, and awarded for exceptional feats of navigation.

And the fundraising didn't stop when the propeller did: the campaign raised £2,395.55 (plus £528.25 in Gift Aid) for Wings for Warriors.

Faith Bennett Navigation Cup£2,395.55 raisedWings for Warriors
The Faith Bennett Navigation Cup awarded to Tess and Morag Morris-Paterson
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