19-year-old British-Belgian pilot Zara Rutherford has set a world record as the youngest woman to fly solo around the globe in just 155 days.
19-year-old pilot Zara Rutherford.
Rutherford will be officially recognized in the Guinness World Records after breaking the previous record held by 30-year-old American pilot Shaesta Waiz since 2017.
The young pilot initially planned to complete her journey in 3 months aboard a Shark ultralight aircraft, but adverse weather conditions and visa issues forced her to halt her flight for several weeks, extending her adventure by approximately 2 months.
“Winter in Europe posed many challenges,” Rutherford recounted about the final days of her flight. She experienced extreme weather conditions, ranging from -35 degrees Celsius in Siberia to 32 degrees Celsius in Indonesia. Fog, smoke from wildfires, and storms were also obstacles she had to overcome during her journey.
During her trip, which spanned over 52,000 kilometers, she made stops on 5 continents and visited 41 countries.
“It was definitely an adventure,” Rutherford said.
Throughout her flight, she witnessed wildfires in California, endured the freezing cold across Russia, and narrowly avoided North Korean airspace. She flew under Visual Flight Rules, essentially navigating by sight, which often slowed her progress compared to more complex navigation systems that could guide her through clouds and fog.
At times, she feared for her life and just wanted to return home quickly. The ability to fly runs in Rutherford’s blood, as both her parents are pilots. She learned to fly solo at the age of 14.
After her round-the-world trip, Rutherford aims to inspire women and girls around the world with a spirit of adventure and a passion for science.
