After a challenging five-month journey fraught with adverse weather conditions, teenage pilot Zara Rutherford, 19, has landed her aircraft at Kortrijk-Wevelgem in Belgium, officially becoming the youngest woman to fly solo around the world.
Rutherford’s epic circumnavigation concluded two months later than initially planned due to significant weather delays that grounded her for extended periods. During her incredible journey, she spent a month stranded in Nome, Alaska, and faced a lengthy 41-day wait in Russia, showcasing immense patience and resilience.
Upon her triumphant return to Belgium, the former pupil of St Swithun’s School in Winchester was met with a jubilant reception. Her family, a throng of journalists, and an outpouring of well-wishers were on hand to greet the record-breaking aviator. Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, Rutherford was accompanied in her landing by four planes from the prestigious Belgian Red Devils aerobatic display team, performing a celebratory flypast.
Zara Rutherford’s historic flight not only shatters previous records but also serves as a powerful inspiration for young women globally, demonstrating the heights that can be achieved with courage, determination, and a passion for aviation.
