Young Pilot Makes History as the Youngest Woman to Fly Solo Around the Globe

Finally home! No longer by myself.

Zara Rutherford, a 19-year-old pilot with Belgian and British roots, achieved a remarkable milestone as the youngest woman to fly solo around the globe, landing her small aircraft in western Belgium on January 20, after an incredible 155 days in the air.

She accomplished this journey not just for herself and her family, but as an inspiration for all young women aspiring to excel in male-dominated fields like aviation and the sciences that power the industry.

"Pursue your dreams. It requires immense dedication, time, and effort, but the experience is unforgettable," she remarked after an adventure filled with both exhilaration and challenges, from the icy landscapes of Siberia to typhoons in the Philippines and the breathtaking expanse of the Arabian desert.

At one point, her single-seat Shark microlight aircraft was engulfed by the foul odor of California wildfires. Frequently, she found herself flying alone over vast oceans or barren landscapes, with any potential rescue many hours away. For weeks, she was cut off in the tiny Siberian village of Ayan, with little contact with her family or the outside world she knew.

Nothing felt as delightful as the embrace she shared on Thursday with her pilot parents and brother.

"We will celebrate this by being together as a family first," her mother Beatrice shared. "I think Zara plans to celebrate by sleeping for about two weeks."

When she awakens, she will discover her name in the Guinness World Records, having set a new mark previously held by 30-year-old American aviator Shaesta Waiz since 2017. However, the overall record will still be out of her reach, as Briton Travis Ludlow set that benchmark last year at the age of 18.

Her worldwide journey was initially expected to last three months, but persistent inclement weather and visa complications often grounded her for weeks, ultimately prolonging her adventure by roughly two additional months.

On Thursday, Kortrijk airport witnessed a mix of rain, drizzle, sunshine, and even a rainbow, reflecting the unpredictable and often harsh weather she had frequently encountered. After being accompanied by a formation of four planes in a large V shape over much of Belgium, she performed a flyby of the airport before finally landing. After waving to the cheering crowds, she proudly wrapped herself in both the Union Jack and the Belgian tricolor flag.

During her remarkable journey of over 52,000 kilometers (28,000 nautical miles), she touched down on five continents and visited 41 different countries.

Rutherford's flight required her to navigate around wildfires in California, brave the frigid temperatures over Russia, and narrowly avoid entering North Korean airspace. She adhered to Visual Flight Rules, relying primarily on visual navigation, which often slowed her progress compared to more advanced systems that could have guided her through clouds and fog.

There were moments when she felt her life was in jeopardy, and others when she longed for the familiar comforts of home. Aviation is in her DNA: both of her parents are pilots, and she has been flying in small aircraft since she was six. At 14, she took to the skies herself, and soon the dream of circumnavigating the globe took root in her mind.

"I never believed it could actually happen. I thought it was too challenging, too perilous, and too costly," she admitted.

Fortunately, sponsorships and public donations covered the financial aspect, while she managed the risks and challenges on her own. The timing was ideal, fitting perfectly between her high school graduation and university.

"I realized this was the perfect chance to do something extraordinary and fly around the world," Rutherford reflected.

With her final landing, the teenager aims to inspire young women and girls globally to embrace aviation and cultivate a passion for the sciences, mathematics, engineering, and technology. She hopes to start her electrical engineering studies at a university in Britain or the United States this September.