Upon Silver Wings II: World-Record Adventure
by CarolAnn Garratt
It was the classic adventure novel of the 1800’s: the quiet, mathematical Phileas Fogg embarking on a hasty 80-day circumnavigation of the world with his French valet Passepartout. Released in 1873, Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days prompted a myriad of travelers to make their own round-the-world journey, trying to set their own world records for a global dash. 135 years later, two bold female pilots set a world record by flying around the world in a tireless eight day, twelve hour, twenty minute race. Carol Ann Garratt had earned her private pilot’s license in 1978, adding on her instrument and commercial ratings before buying her own Mooney. Then her mother was diagnosed ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. ALS is a progressive and highly aggressive neuro-degenerative disease that is currently affecting 350,000 people around the world. There is no known cure, and patients usually succumb to the disease within five years. Attacking the brain’s motor neurons and the spinal cord, ALS is estimated to be diagnosed in 15 new cases per day in the United States. While more common in patients between 40 and 70, ALS has been diagnosed in many despite age, gender, or ethnicity. Carol Ann and her family watched as her mother slowly suffered with the devastating effects of her ailment, and with no available cure or treatment, 76 year old Marie Garratt died in 2002. Carol Ann had an idea, and in 2003, she circumnavigated the world to raise money and awareness for the mysterious disease. Gaining experience and fueled to perform even better, she began searching for a co-pilot for an even more extensive flight.
She chose Carol Foy, a fellow Mooney owner who had learned to fly when her husband purchased an aircraft and she decided she should know how to land in case of an emergency. After a few basic lessons, Carol no longer wanted to be the co-pilot. Adding on her commercial, instrument, multi-engine ratings, she entered an air race in 1991. In 2006, she won the 2478 mile ARC Race. Carol made the decision to be the co-pilot for the round-the-world dash in just a few short days. Months of extensive planning followed, examining details for aspects including political situations, weight and balance problems, and sleeping arrangements. Only nine refueling stops were planned, and all sleeping was done in shifts while in flight. Food was packed onboard and bladder relief bottles were supplied. The aircraft was CarolAnn’s 200HP, 2-seat Mooney, with a fuel tank taking the place of the normal two additional seats. The current westbound record for aerial circumnavigation was set in 1988 by a 54.6MPH Beechcraft Bonanza. CarolAnn knew they could do better, and on December 8, 2008, they took flight. Even the last few days before takeoff were filled with endless lists of last-minute tasks. Between the chaos, the women attempted to catch up on sleep, staving off colds and swallowing baby Aspirin to thin their blood to prevent blood clots through the long flight ahead. They extensively logged their flight, measuring not only the aircraft’s performance, but their own as well. They recorded carboxyhemoglobin percentages and suffered through backaches, headaches, stiffness, and fatigue. Pushing through problematic legs of the flight, the two pilots experienced the challenging, the exhilarating, and the exotic. Just eight days later, they touched down in Orlando. Fighting back tears after the epic and whirlwind trip, they were surrounded by loved ones and admirers alike, sprayed by champagne, and offered ice cream and interviews by the dozens of pressing TV reporters. Not only did they raised money for ALS research and inspiring thousands to donate, but they were honoring their loved ones as well as the 350,000 ALS sufferers worldwide.
Shortly before the book went to press, the pilots were notified by the National Aeronautics Association that their record would be certified in the next few days. The calculated speed of the ladies’ dash was set at 115.35 MPH. Near the end of Upon Silver Wings, CarolAnn writes, “My third world trip is planned in my head.” She describes a journey to Brazil, across the Atlantic, to Norway, South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, India, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Southern Chile, and Patagonia, finishing again in Florida. She adds, “Then I’ll settle down. Promise.” I wouldn’t bet on it.