With a dream nurtured since childhood, Zara Rutherford will embark on a solo flight around the world next month. Upon completing her journey, Zara will become the youngest female pilot to set a Guinness World Record for a solo flight around the globe.
Zara Rutherford, 19 years old, from Hampshire (England), is set to undertake a solo round-the-world flight next month. Her family has completed preparations for fuel and necessary supplies for Zara’s anticipated flight, which is expected to last over three months. This is a “gap year” plan that Zara has long dreamed of.
Zara Rutherford will set a new Guinness World Record after completing her solo flight around the world. (Photo: PA)
Zara holds dual citizenship in the UK and Belgium. Both of her parents are pilots, which likely serves as the biggest motivation and source of energy for Zara’s dream of flying solo around the world. Next month, Zara is expected to depart from Brussels (Belgium), and her journey could last over three months.
In an interview, Zara shared that the biggest challenge will be remote areas like northern Russia or Greenland, places that are not densely populated. Therefore, if something goes wrong, she could find herself in a difficult situation. “I am a little nervous but full of excitement,” Zara shared.
“My entire family are pilots, so I spent my childhood living in the sky. At 14, I began formal training and received my pilot’s license last year. To make this flight happen, I had to persuade my mother ‘a little,’ but eventually, she agreed. My father is very supportive and is my solid logistics partner,” Zara noted.
Zara will pilot a Shark ultralight aircraft, the fastest light sport aircraft in the world. The passenger seat has been removed to accommodate additional fuel.
Currently, the female record holder for solo circumnavigation is Shaesta Waiz (USA), aged 30, with her record set in 2017. Meanwhile, the youngest male record holder is currently 18 years old.
Zara Rutherford plans to start her world flight on August 11. (Photo: BBC)
The round-the-world flight was initially just a gap year plan
Zara further shared that she initially intended to fly around the world as part of her gap year plan. However, she did not realize that she would become the youngest female in the world to undertake such a flight and the first Belgian to do so.
A gap year is a term used to describe a year of rest for students after completing high school. Teenagers take a gap year to engage in any activities they enjoy before entering university.
The flight route will take Zara across the Atlantic Ocean, through Greenland, Canada, and South America, to Alaska, then across Russia and Indonesia before returning to Europe. This route has been chosen to meet Guinness World Record requirements, passing through 52 countries and crossing the equator twice.
“I am very excited about this trip and can’t wait any longer. There will be many challenges along the way, but the experiences with different cultures are worth it all. I am especially looking forward to visiting South America and Greenland,” Zara shared.
Zara is expected to depart on August 11, 2021.
