Zara Rutherford: Youngest Woman to Have Flown Solo Around the World

9 months ago Editor

Zara Rutherford, a 19-year-old British-Belgian teenager, etched her name in the annals of aviation history by becoming the youngest woman to complete a solo round-the-world flight. Departing on August 18th, 2021, Rutherford embarked on a remarkable journey spanning 31,700 miles over five months, eventually landing her Shark microlight aircraft in Belgium to a jubilant reception at Kortrijk-Wevelgem Airport.

Despite facing challenges such as adverse weather conditions and visa issues, Rutherford persevered, navigating through 41 nations and five continents. From evading Californian wildfires to braving bitter temperatures over Russia, her journey was punctuated by moments of both exhilaration and trepidation.

Raised in a family of pilots, Rutherford’s passion for aviation was nurtured from a young age. Having started flying at 14, her round-the-world odyssey was a culmination of years spent in small planes, guided by her aviator parents.

Zara Rutherford was greeted on the runway by her parents | Photo Source: Sky News

Throughout her journey, Rutherford encountered memorable experiences, from soaring over the iconic skyline of New York to witnessing the raw power of an active volcano in Iceland. To meet the criteria for a round-the-world flight, she touched down at two opposite points on the globe: Jambi in Indonesia and Tumaco in Colombia.

In achieving this historic feat, Rutherford surpassed the previous record set by Shaesta Waiz in 2017. Her accomplishment not only solidified her place in aviation history but also served as an inspiration for women pursuing careers in aviation, science, and technology.

Looking ahead, Rutherford, who obtained her pilot’s license in 2020, aspired to study engineering at university in September. With dreams of one day venturing beyond Earth’s atmosphere as an astronaut, her journey around the world marked just the beginning of what promised to be a remarkable trajectory in the realm of aerospace exploration.

While Rutherford’s journey may have come to an end, her legacy as the youngest woman to fly solo around the world undoubtedly inspired future generations of aviators to reach for the skies and beyond.