Watch her voyage: youngest woman to fly solo around the world
This is the moment a teen pilot became the youngest woman to fly around the world solo.
19-year-old Zara Rutherford touching down in Belgium on January 20th
Here’s a look at her history-making, 32,000-mile voyage.
[19-year-old pilot, Zara Rutherford]"It's just really crazy, I haven't quite processed it I think. I mean, coming here I was basically in tears just trying to imagine what it would be like finally being home after five months."
"I have been waiting for this sandwich from a sandwich shop that's, like, really nearby, and I've been waiting five months to get it so I'm really looking forward to getting it hopefully soon."
August 18, 2021
Location: WEVELGEM, BELGIUM
In August 2021 Rutherford departed Belgium in her Shark ultralight
the world's fastest microlight aircraft.
"It's a dream I've had my entire life, to fly a plane around around the World, it was just a crazy idea and I always thought it would impossible
Ahead of her: a 32,000-mile journey
five continents and 52 countries, including the U.S., Greenland, Russia and Colombia.
September 7, 2021
Location: SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
"Flying into Costa Rica was amazing. It's a really beautiful country. It's a shame I can't stay longer, I wish I could."
September 13, 2021
Location: Virgin Galactic, New Mexico
"I landed this morning in Virgin Spaceport America. It's been amazing. A huge thank you to Virgin Galactic for letting me tour around the centre. I saw a spaceship for the first time and I'm absolutely loving it, and yeah, thank you Virgin."
November, 2021
Magadan Region, Russia
"I'm seeing these places from the air and that is one of the most incredible thing, and it's so unique. Although I'm not always allowed to go into the cities and walk around and check out museums or restaurants, but I can always see everything from the air and it's pretty incredible."
December 11, 2021
Location: Seoul, South Korea
"It has been challenging. I was stuck in Alaska because of visa and weather issues for a month and I was stuck in Russia for a month because of visa and weather issues. And, I mean, I was hoping to be home before Christmas but I don't think that's gonna happen anymore, but I mean it's an adventure."
December 19, 2021
Location: Egelsbach, Germany
"I'm very happy to be home tomorrow, yeah, I'm really excited. It's been a really long time so I'm looking forward to seeing my family again."
"One of the best experiences was probably flying over Saudi Arabia. The desert is so diverse and and unique. In a way, there is no weather, so no clouds or anything, I love that. And Siberia: very remote, beautiful, no plants because it was so cold, minus 35 degrees on some days but quite challenging to fly because there, the weather was quite bad sometimes, quite strong winds and if anything goes wrong, I would have had a very big problem because there are no other airports nearby."
January 20, 2022
Kortrijk, Belgium
On 20th January 2022 Rutherford touched down and made history.
She hopes her voyage will encourage more girls and women to study and work in STEM subjects
and spark girls' interest in aviation.
She herself will start university next year, with the dream of becoming an astronaut.
