Zara Rutherford’s Mid‑Century Adventure Ends in Seoul
At season’s end, teen pilot Zara Rutherford landed her ultra‑light Shark in Seoul on Saturday, 11 Dec – the first Asian stop on a quest to become the world’s youngest solo woman. 19‑year‑old Zara, born to a pair of pilots, is juggling a 51,000‑km, five‑continent expedition every day.
From Belgium to the Bosphorus and Beyond
- August – Launched from Belgium’s Kortrijk‑Wevelgem Airport with a 50‑kilo‑kilogram, 9‑passenger microlight.
- Destination list: 52 countries, including the United States, Greenland, Russia and Colombia.
- Spanning five continents – a globe‑trotting mile‑high road trip.
“It’s been a roller‑coaster,” says Zara, clutching a cup of tea at Gimpo International after a turbulent flight from Vladivostok. “I got stuck in Alaska for a whole month because of visa hassles and Arctic drizzle, and the same thing happened in Russia. I was hoping to finish by Christmas, but that’s a frosty dream now. But hey, adventure is life’s best spice.”
Life on “Flight‑Hilton” in Seoul
She’s currently staying at a local hotel, with plans to touch down in Taiwan by Monday and aim for a January finish. “If you ask me, the pandemic’s been a diva – some places still refuse me a tan or a coffee” – she laughs. “I can’t land in museums or eat street food, but from the sky I get a view that’s, like, by far the most incredible. Imagine a postcard with a breeze.”
Why Every Sky‑High Journey Matters
Zara’s ambition is simple: lead the record book which, as of now, is held by Shaista Wais, the 30‑year‑old who set the previous female solo global record in 2017. Her target is comparable to Mason Andrews, the 18‑year‑old who first flew solo in 2018.
She says travel has “biggest bubbles of hope: a chance to inspire girls <15 to study STEM and land a runway future.” Whether she’s eyeing an astronaut career or simply wants to prove that teens can navigate any wind pattern, she’s pushing boundaries.
Next Up: Todays Dream, Tomorrow’s Sphere
Rutherford will be back at the controls soon, with a flight plan including Japan, the Philippines, and maybe even the last stop: the Universe. “One day, I’ll hold the same name as a NASA astronaut, but for now, I’m simply turning the sky into my campus,” she says with a grin.
Thanks for cheering on the teen who’s flying past both history and expectations. Remember to hold your thumbs when you look up – the sky is not the limit, it’s the playground.
