Susan ‘Sue’ Pratt will fly from Eyres Field near Wareham on October 14, soaring over her home in Poundbury before heading along Dorset’s coastline.
The flight has been organised by Helping Hands, a companion care company in Dorchester, after Sue asked to do something special for her birthday.
The plan came together after Lorna Robinson, owner of Helping Hands, put out a post on Facebook asking if anyone could help turn Sue’s birthday wish into a reality.
Pilot Nick Barnes, of Dorset Gliders Club, responded to the request and offered to guide Sue safely through the skies.
The birthday girl said she has no nerves about the upcoming flight: “I’m very excited about it. It’s like being a bird, really.”
After completing pre-flight safety checks earlier this month, Sue admitted the glider was “smaller than I expected” when she first sat inside it, but said that only added to the sense of adventure.
Asked why she wanted to take to the skies, Sue said her appetite for adventure has never left her.
“I wanted to do something exciting. That doesn’t fade when you get old,” she said.
The upcoming flight is far from the first challenge Sue has embraced.
Sue revealed she has previously jumped out of an aeroplane with a parachute and has also squeezed through tight openings to explore caves.
More recently, she climbed the 155 steps at Portland Bill Lighthouse, proudly earning a badge after reaching the top and making it safely back down again.
Sue said she is particularly looking forward to seeing familiar parts of Dorset from above.
“The pilot said he’d fly me over where I live and then up the coast,” she said.
Sue said her faith is important to her, and credited daily walks with helping maintain her curious and enthusiastic outlook on life.
“I love the Lord Jesus and I love doing exciting things,” she said.
“I always go for a walk every day; it’s important, if you don’t keep it up, you’ll lose it.”
She said age should not hold anyone back from trying new things.
“I hope people don’t give up in their old age,” she said. “If they’re alive, they ought to live it.
“When you become an old lady or an old man, it’s good to do exciting things. We’re here on earth and therefore we better get on with it.
“You don’t want rubbish old years; they’re gifts.”
Caron Merchant, of Helping Hands, said: “She’s incredible, she’s such an inspiration.
“I think we should all take a leaf out of her book.”
Sue’s family, friends, Lorna, pilot Nick, and the Helping Hands team will gather at the airfield alongside the Mayor of Dorchester, Councillor Les Fry BEM, to cheer her on and welcome her back to solid ground.