Woman Makes Visit on World Helicopter Flight

Call her a modern-day Amelia Earhart.

Jennifer Murray, a London homemaker and grandmother who landed in Torrance on Tuesday, is believed to be the first woman to attempt to circumnavigate the globe by helicopter. Murray, 56, flew into Torrance from Oakland after making more than 15 stops over the last six weeks.

Murray began her journey in London flying a R-44 Robinson helicopter, which is manufactured in Torrance. She has traveled to several Asian countries, including Burma, Thailand and Hong Kong, and will travel through the United States this week.

Murray is trying to raise funds for the nonprofit charity Save the Children and has raised $800,000 so far, a spokeswoman said. She is scheduled to depart for Boston on Friday and is scheduled to travel through Canada and Greenland on her way back to London.