Teen pilot Zara Rutherford landed at the Ratmlana Airport, Colombo yesterday on her attempt to become the youngest woman to fly around the world solo.
Teen pilot Zara Rutherford landed in Colombo from Banda Aceh, Indonesia on her attempt to become the youngest woman to fly around the world solo, the Civil Aviation Authority said.
Authorities at the Airport had welcomed Rutherford.
In August, the 19-year-old British-Belgian departed from Kortrijk-Wevelgem Airport in western Belgium on her 51,000-km (32,000-mile) journey, which is to span five continents and 52 countries, including the United States, Greenland, Russia and Colombia.
She is flying a Shark ultralight plane, the world’s fastest microlight.
Aside from entering the record book, the teenager has expressed hope that her voyage will encourage girls and women to study and work in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and spark girls’ interest in aviation. Rutherford is seeking the title held by from Shaesta Wais, who became the youngest woman to fly solo round the world at age 30 in 2017. The youngest male record holder, Mason Andrews, was 18 years old when he made the journey in 2018.
Wais also had landed in Colombo in her quest for the world record.
Born to two pilots, Rutherford will start university next year, with the dream of becoming an astronaut.
by Daily News Sri Lanka
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