56 March 2014 www.womanthismonth.com Danielle Hughes is a highflier, and a stylish one at that. Strapped to the wing of a Boeing Stearman plane, this petite lady from Cirencester performs death defying stunts that have enthralled audiences all over the world. As a member of the Breitling Wingwalking team, the only formation flying display team in the world, the 24-year-old carries the torch for girl power in aviation. Danielle has always excelled in the arena of sports and fitness training. At 14, she became the national taekwondo second dan black belt British champion. The most experienced wing walker in the Breitling contingent, Danielle performs at over a 100 air shows worldwide each year, with a stunning display that includes loops, rolls, stall turns and even inverted flight. The spunky Brit gave us a peek into her unconventional job on the sidelines of the Bahrain International Air Show. Woman This Month (WTM): What made you choose this career? Danielle Hughes (DH): I’ve dreamed of being a wing walker since I was six or seven, since the first time my parents took me to watch a local air show in my hometown. I didn’t realise initially that this was an actual job. I thought wing walkers were the daughters of the pilots or the plane owners! Wing walking isn’t really a conventional career option. But then, Danielle Hughes has always thrived on challenges of the most competitive kind. RIDING THE SKIES people | interview by SIMI KAMBOJ
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