A 101-year-old war hero proved age is no obstacle when she took to the skies above Kinross-shire.
Inspirational Helen Gray, who is partially blind, served as a corporal in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during World War Two.
On Friday, she returned to the clouds in a glider over Portmoak Airfield, Kinross.
And she loved it so much, she says she can’t wait to go again next year.
The event was organised by Scottish War Blinded, a charity which supports military veterans with sight loss to achieve amazing feats and renew their confidence after sight loss.
The group linked up with Kinross-based charity Walking on Air to set up the flight.
It was Helen’s second experience in the unpowered aircraft, after going gliding to celebrate her centenary last year.
Helen, from Edinburgh, is a regular at the Scottish War Blind’s Linburn Centre in West Lothian and is one of 50 members from the centre to have a go at flying a glider.
“She is certainly our oldest member to fly, and one of our most enthusiastic,” said Tim Searle, an officer at Linburn.
“Helen is great and takes part in lots of different activities at the centre, including Tai Chi and acoustic shooting.”
Helen described the flight as lovely and said she was already looking forward to another flight next summer.
“I would like to thank the Linburn Centre for making anything and everything possible,” said Helen. “They are so good to us all. It’s good to be able to get out and not sit at home.”
Helen was described as “an inspiration” by pilot Gary Simpson, who volunteers with Walking on Air. Gary has taken Helen up on both of her gliding experiences.
Hannah Mitchell, of Scottish War Blinded, said: “We enable people who have lost their site to regain their confidence.
“I think for people like Helen, taking a flight at the age of 101 is pretty inspirational.”
Hannah Mitchell added: “A lot of women might see a veteran’s charity as for men only, but we’re very aware that a huge number of women served, particularly in World War Two.”
Although Helen wasn’t in control of the glider during her flight, she was able to feel the joystick moving as the craft soared above the ground.
There were worries that her flight may have to be postponed because of bad weather, but she was able to take off as scheduled.
Portmoak is home to the Scottish Gliding Centre, the biggest club of its kind in Scotland.
