Features-people, Interviews, Youth

Superwoman Flying High

17 May 2023
An interview with the youngest women to fly solo around the world

It was a very special Christmas eve in Singapore as aviation enthusiasts received a visit, not from old Saint Nicholas, but from intrepid 19-year-old aviator Zara Rutherford.

With her arrival at Singapore’s Seletar Airport on 24 December 2021 onboard her Czech-Slovak Shark aircraft, the Belgian-British pilot was well on course to breaking the world record as the youngest woman ever to circumnavigate the globe, and the youngest person ever to fly around the world in an ultralight.

Aerospace Singapore caught up with Zara during her short stayover in the city state.

Hi Zara, welcome! How was your flight into Singapore?

Thank you! There were a few issues today because I was flying quite low to the ground due to the thunderstorms around me. Typically, to fly into Seletar you need to be about 1,500 feet above the ground to make sure you clear all the buildings, but I could not do that because of the clouds. So, I had to wait about half an hour outside of Singapore and discuss with air traffic control.

Ultimately, I was able to go in because I had visual and could ensure there was enough distance between me and any buildings. Once I got near the airport, it was a good and easy landing.

Can you share with us some of the more unique or scary moments of your trip thus far?

Flying around the equator at this time is a little tough because it is the monsoon season and there are many thunderstorms. All in all, it is not too bad though because it is quite populated around here. In northern Russia, it was completely different because nobody lived in places like Siberia. It was quite scary because if the weather suddenly turned bad, I would not have much of a choice. I could do an emergency landing but I would be hours away from the nearest help and I am not sure how long I would be able to survive in -30C temperatures without proper equipment!

I also had to change plans sometimes, like avoiding a landing in China due to changes in Covid-related regulations. I had to then fly a long way over the sea from Russia to South Korea, while avoiding North Korean airspace. When I was flying from Kota Kinabalu to Jakarta, I faced a sudden turn of weather. In the end, I decided to land at a small airport in Ketapang. They were not expecting me, and I could not explain the situation because it was not an international airport. I was not allowed to leave airport property and had to stay in the terminal. It was not the most comfortable but I was so thankful that the people were extremely helpful and kind, and I had some good Indonesian food! Everywhere I went, I met extremely friendly people eager to help and encourage me to continue my mission.

What made you decide to start this amazing journey?

At first, I was planning to fly around the world as an adventure during my gap year, not realising I would become the youngest woman to do so if I achieved it. It was only when I started researching more that I found out that the youngest man who had flown solo around the world was 18 years old while the youngest woman was 30 at the time of her flight. With my flight I wanted to reduce this gap from 12 to only 1 year. At the same time, breaking the world records is not the most important thing. I will consider my mission a success if I manage to inspire young women. I want to show them that they can be bold, and they can have ambitious dreams.

Tell us more about your mission to inspire girls and young women

Globally only 5% of commercial pilots and 15% of computer scientists are women. In both areas – aviation and STEM – the gender gap is huge. During my journey I met many incredible, talented women – pilots, engineers, car racers. I believe together we can make a real change. We can encourage other women to be bold, ambitious and pursue their dreams.

How about your parents? How did they feel about your grand mission?

I was born in a family of aviators and was lucky to have great role models in my parents and grandparents. Both my parents are pilots, so they strongly support me. My father was very enthusiastic and helps me with the logistics of it all. My mother was also very excited but more cautious, but I was able to convince her.

Can you tell us about the aircraft that you flying in?

I am flying a Shark ultralight, the world’s fastest microlight aircraft. It is extremely fast (300km/h), has a very long range, is very safe and extremely capable. Mine has been modified with extended range to 1800nm (3500km), with satellite communications. I am very grateful to Shark for their loan of such a beautiful machine.

You are well on your way of completing your mission. What’s going to be next?

On the days that I don’t fly or when I have my rest days, I am putting in my applications to universities. I am planning on studying Computer Science or Electric Engineering as I dream of one day going into space.

Zara Rutherford completed her mission on 20 January 2022 when she landed back in Kortrijk-Wevelgem, in Belgium. At 19 years of age, she became the youngest woman in history to fly solo around the world in a small aircraft. Her journey lasted 155 days or 5 months and 3 days – twice as long as expected due to delays caused by bad weather. Having completed her circumnavigation, Zara is now the holder of two Guinness World Records (GWR). Our heartiest congratulations!