Zara Rutherford is youngest woman to fly solo around world

[BRE]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/20/belgian-briton-zara-rutherford-is-youngest-woman-to-fly-solo-around-world

https://flyzolo.com/

She just completed her tour, well done! Can't believe that according to site and google searches, this hasn't been on pprune so far.

And just as a bonus, this is the blog of a ferry flight of two BN2 Islanders from Japan to Germany. There was a fair bit of logistics and preparation that went into that journey. They had support from local flight handling companies and yet had to negotiate with local flight control and military themselves more than once, so I can only begin to imagine what was necessariy for her adventure.
https://airlebnis.homepage.t-online.de/index.htm

[PAXboy]

That is one teeny-tiny aeroplane!

[BRE]

Just out of curiosity, did she have to stick to VFR because of her licence or because of how her plane was equipped?

[Auxtank]

Just out of curiosity, did she have to stick to VFR because of her licence or because of how her plane was equipped?

She had a full glass cockpit Garmin G1000 NXi (I think) - so one assumes license limitation.

Bloody well done to her anyway. She's done exceedingly well.
Wants to be an astronaut next.

[Beamr]

She probably now clocks more hours and experience than some airliner FO's :}
Well done! :ok:

[ATC Watcher]

ust out of curiosity, did she have to stick to VFR because of her licence or because of how her plane was equipped?
It was also an Ultra light aircraft which I believe cannot be flown/certified IFR . ( yet , as discussion are under way but afaik not yet successful , waiting to be contradicted if that is the case now )
That said, kuddos and congratulations to her !

[Locked door]

A fine effort.

This one didn't get much press coverage. UK to NZ unsupported in a Eurofox in 2019.

GBNZ ? GBNZ (http://gb-nz.com/)

Rightfully the winner of the 2019 Silver Medal of the Royal Aero Club.

[Machdiamond]

Yes she was restricted to VFR flight, that constraint added a couple of months to her journey.

I have followed her progress closely over the past months and I am in absolute awe by what she has achieved. And she is such a gracious and generous personality.

Imagine flying an ultralight dodging clouds as low as 600 ft MSL between Iceland and Greenland, crossing the Bering Strait and Siberia during the winter, and doing a 1000+ nm leg straight over the Indian Ocean from Mumbai to the UAE.

Just amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZg6Bim9f7c

[DIBO]

Skimming through her (perfect trilingual) press conference: being stuck in a small Siberian village for three weeks.... 6 hrs non-stop overwater crossing the Sea of Japan, avoiding North Korean airspace with worse than expected weather and getting in touch with an airliner to relay with ATC
https://www.facebook.com/FlyZolo/posts/234002642204164

...huge CB's over Colombia... and much more. Respect!

Hopefully dad (https://www.pprune.org/members/199124-sam-rutherford) will also post here some behind the scene stories of the almost as huge a job by the behind the scene ops team.

[old-timer]

Fantastic flying, she deserves an award for sure. Onwards and upwards.

[meleagertoo]

Rutherford. A name well known in the field of long-distance women's flying.

[Sleeve Wing]

Already in the file for HCAP's T & A dinner this year I would hope.
Tremendous achievement and a helluva lot of courage to complete this, particularly with comparatively low experience. I say congratulations to her instructors too for making sure she had the right level of expertise and support to give her the necessary confidence to crack on.
I also would like to hear the stories from the support team, with probable communication difficulties, lack of interest/help, officialdom from some of the transit countries enroute. Conversely, to hear of those who went out of their way to assist in this phenomenal achievement as well.
Well done, young lady. We salute you.

[pilotmike]

Congratulations! What an epic achievement!

And how refreshing to see such a solo venture being done... well... solo! All done without an instructor or Commercial pilot discretely tucked away out of camera shot in a 2nd seat to take up the slack and do all the tricky bits, to then be 'Spirited' away out of sight to avoid any inconvenient questions and speculation about the claimed achievement.

LAA, are you watching? This is how it should be done, and it is highly deserving of a medal. Sam should have no issues with this one.

[Auxtank]

Congratulations! What an epic achievement!

And how refreshing to see such a solo venture being done... well... solo! All done without an instructor or Commercial pilot discretely tucked away out of camera shot in a 2nd seat to take up the slack and do all the tricky bits, to then be 'Spirited' away out of sight to avoid any inconvenient questions and speculation about the claimed achievement.

LAA, are you watching? This is how it should be done, and it is highly deserving of a medal. Sam should have no issues with this one.


Yes and Yes to that. One cannot but help recall a rather unsavory episode of mistaken accomplishment (involving the definition of the word; Solo, a couple of years ago)

I too hope the LAA and indeed, the HCAP celebrates this genuine achievement by this most excellent Aviator.

[megan]

What I find amazing is the lack of promotion prior to the task being completed, quite unlike others we could name. Kudos and a big thumbs up from me, well done Lass. :ok: Bet Dad is proud of your achievement.

[Jan Olieslagers]

That is one teeny-tiny aeroplane!
Yes, and one that flirts with the legal limits of ultralights. I know of one based in Belgium that remains on its previous Dutch registration because it was found impossible to register it Belgian - our authorities being rather strict about the regulations, or at least about some of them.

This machine must be tricky to fly! Even if the lady had a very able pilot for her main instructor (or so we may assume) she must have been careful, especially during approach and landing.

[meleagertoo]

Yes and Yes to that. One cannot but help recall a rather unsavory episode of mistaken accomplishment (involving the definition of the word; Solo, a couple of years ago)


Since it was Zara's father who was instrumental in showing up that particular charlatan I can't help wonderning if this stunt was in some way a response to that matter.
At least I think it reassures us that it really was done solo and unaccompanied by a support crew.

[biscuit74]

Very impressive - and an impressive aeroplane to match its pilot. Good high cruising speed and superb endurance, with the extra tanks fitted.

My word, I bet her parents are pleased - and more than a bit relieved. That's a lot of very challenging flying. Chapeau, young lady !

[B2N2]

Absolutely fantastic effort and all respect!

[megan]

This machine must be tricky to fly! Even if the lady had a very able pilot for her main instructor (or so we may assume) she must have been careful, especially during approach and landingCare to explain the reasons behind your statement?

[longer ron]

Impressive - sincere congrats to Zara - it just being 2021/early '22 must have made things more difficult.
:)

[Jan Olieslagers]

Care to explain the reasons behind your statement?
Attaining so much performance from only 100HP can only be achieved by squeezing the last bit out of everything; that must include using a very thin wing with very finely finished surfaces ("laminar flow"). Just like with the Rutan canards, even a handful of dead bugs on the leading edge may seriously affect performance, including stall behaviour. As may rain.

[Haraka]

I am a little lost as to what actually constitutes a " Round the World " flight. Zara Rutherford certainly qualified in my understanding by passing through two antipodal points. I.e. directly opposite each other on the globe.
Looking at another accepted claimant I noticed that, whilst admirable, the entire track covered was well up in the Northern Hemisphere but also included a seeming out ( and return?) overland dog leg to make up the mileage . i.e. making the distance equivalent to a circumnavigation of the Earth,
By extrapolating this logic ad absurdum you could surely take off in Northern Europe, go once around the Arctic Circle ( or even further North to just go round the Pole and back ) then fly back around Europe for a few legs to make up the total equivalent distance to then claim a "Round the World " flight.
I look forward to being enlightened . :)

[BRE]

So what was the episode Auxtank referred to?

Here's another article that was published after her press conference in Belgium.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/21/wilderness-wildfires-and-pop-music-how-zara-rutherford-flew-into-record-books

Based on this and two NYT articles (that I won't link to because moderators will then delete the whole post because you see a registration request if you have tried to access more than three articles in that month on your browser), I have a couple of mostly technical questions:

- What is the fuel consumption per hour or per 100 km in cruise (ie. at 130 kn = 250 km/h)? The engine seems to use 18.5 l/h at 75% power https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotax_912, but at what power is it used in cruise?

- The engine likes to run on unleaded automobile fuel, which is known to vary from country to country. Is MOGAS now routinely available at big and small airfields around the world and is there a certain standard to be met? I suppose she couldn't just hitchhike to the next gas station with a jerrycan.

- What is the failure rate of the engine, apparaently a Rotax 912ULS? The manual does not seem reassuring: "The manual states that Rotax gives no assurances that the engine is suitable for use in any aircraft, and that the engine may seize or stall at any time, which could lead to a crash landing."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotax_912

- What is the difference between the certified and the uncertified version other than the paperwork? The warning apparently applies to both versions.

- She states that she was worried about an emergency landing in Siberia because she didn't have the survival gear to survive -35° for hours on end. What about the overwater flights - did she have the kind of cold suit donned by the pilots of the dual BN2 ferry flight for overwater legs? Would a cold suit also help against dry cold air?
https://airlebnis.homepage.t-online.de/serv01.htm
edit: I just realized the picture with the cold suits does not always load, so here's a direct link https://airlebnis.homepage.t-online.de/Kaelteschutzanzuege.jpg

- Both NYT articles stress that flying in the North Atlantic at 200 ft to stay below clouds was not a very safe thing to do (presumably because of loss of radio contact and lack of time/altitude to troubleshoot any occurence). Would it have been safer to fly into clouds no matter what the certification says, given that no traffic was to be expected at that altitude in that area?

[Union Jack]

Since it was Zara's father who was instrumental in showing up that particular charlatan I can't help wonderning if this stunt was in some way a response to that matter.
At least I think it reassures us that it really was done solo and unaccompanied by a support crew.
Good points, well made.:ok:

Jack

[megan]

what actually constitutes a " Round the World " flightThe rules, in general, are, the course shall be a closed circuit course that crosses all meridians, the course distance from the start point through each control point to the finish point shall not be less than 36,770 km, all control points shall lie at latitudes less than 66 degrees 33 minutes.The engine seems to use 18.5 l/h at 75% power, but at what power is it used in cruiseThe flight manual is available on the aircraft manufactures web site should you wish to obtain performance numbers.

[Haraka]

Many Thanks Megan for the clarification on the acceptance of "round the world" flying! :)

[DIBO]

A royal fan* of Zara's achievement (*used to fly his own R44 until about ten years ago)
https://twitter.com/MonarchieBe/status/1488526992496545802?cxt=HHwWlMCypbjap6gpAAAA (in the country's third official language)

[Auxtank]

Good Girl.
What a Star.
Really hope she gets given the cup with the eagle on it.
She absolutely has earned it.

[Sam Rutherford]

The RTW requirements as earlier mentioned are those of the FAI (distance required is the Tropic of Cancer/Capricorn). This always struck me as odd, not 'even' being the length of the equator.

The Guinness requirements are below. They're a little odd and even sometimes unnecessary - for example paragraph K renders paragraph G unnecessary. It's also worth noting that they are the same whether flying, boating, cycling or using a pogo stick.

Hope this is of interest.




This document acts as a guide to the specific considerations and undertakings for your potential
record attempt and is to be used in conjunction with the Guide to Your Evidence, which outlines
the evidence we require to verify the success of your record attempt. These guidelines should be
read and understood by all concerned with the record attempt prior to the attempt – this includes
every participant, organiser and witness.
These guidelines are specific to your record attempt and must be followed. Should any part of
these guidelines be contravened, your record attempt will be disqualified, without any right of
appeal.
Additionally, these guidelines in no way provide any kind of safety advice and cannot be
construed as providing any comfort that the record attempt is free from risk.
Guinness World Records (“GWR”) accepts no responsibility for the safety of participants or
bystanders in any record attempt. It is your sole responsibility to ensure that (a) all necessary
safety precautions are in place and that all equipment used is suitable and thoroughly checked
prior to the record attempt taking place and (b) you are in compliance with all applicable health
and safety laws and regulations.
If you are attempting a record online using a non-GWR website, GWR is not responsible for the
content of that platform or anything that may happen, including technical issues, during your
attempt.
If you are organising a record attempt in association with an alcoholic brand you must seek
explicit written permission in advance from GWR, otherwise your record may not be approved.
Please send your requests to GWR using the Correspondence section in your online application.
If you are organising an online record attempt which may involve the consumption of alcohol, the
following additional requirements must be met:
· The platform where the record attempt is to take place must include a responsible drinking
message.
· Age restriction, targeting or affirmation technologies should be used, where available, to
restrict access to users of legal purchase age or over.
· The record attempt must not be advertised in a manner which appeals to minors,
encourages irresponsible drinking or offensive behaviour, or challenges participants to
consume an alcoholic beverage.
Guinness World Records
Youngest person to circumnavigate by aircraft, solo
20 May 2021
The above guidance does not constitute legal advice and does not extinguish or dilute your
contractual obligations to GWR.
If upon reviewing your evidence it becomes clear that any one of the above measures has not
been adhered to, GWR reserves the right to disqualify the record attempt.
Finally, the provision of these guidelines in no way constitutes GWR’s consent for you to
undertake a record attempt. Any record attempt will only be considered to be authorised by us
where you have signed our standard agreement in relation to record attempts.
Guinness World Records
Youngest person to circumnavigate by aircraft, solo
20 May 2021
Youngest person to circumnavigate by
aircraft, solo
Record definition
· This record is for the youngest person to circumnavigate the world by aircraft (solo).
· This record is to be attempted by an individual.
· This record is measured in years and days.
Rules for Youngest person to circumnavigate by aircraft, solo
1. The proposed route must be submitted to Guinness World Records before the attempt
begins.
2. Any type of aircraft can be used for the attempt. The vehicle must stay the same throughout
the attempt.
3. The entire journey must be flown solo. Solo means without anyone else in the aircraft for
the entire duration of the attempt.
4. The pilot must have a valid pilot’s license for the aircraft he or she is using for the attempt.
5. A copy of the birth certificate, passport and the pilot’s license must be submitted with the
claim.
6. Confirmation of all take off and landing times (Zulu) by the individual airports en route must
be included in the claim. This must be in the form of an official flight log.
7. All control points shall lie at latitudes less than 66 degrees 33 minutes.
Rules for 'youngest person to circumnavigate' records
Please make sure ALL these rules are followed:
a) The record is measured in years and days.
b) The age of the claimant will be taken as that at the completion of the journey.
c) Proof of age must be provided in the form of a copy of a birth certificate and a photocopy of a
current form of identification such as a passport.
d) Start and finish points must be the same location.
e) The journey should be continual and in one direction i.e. East to West or West to East. Any
considerable distance travelled opposite to the direction of the attempt (be it on foot or by other
means of transport such as an aircraft) will be discounted from any calculations of the overall
distance travelled.
f) The journey must be continuous, with each leg of the journey beginning at the point at which
the previous leg ended
g) The minimum distance travelled by the chosen means (e.g. bicycle) should be 18,000 miles
(28,970 km), and the total distance travelled by the participant (e.g. by public or chartered
transportation), should exceed an equator’s length or ‘great circle’, i.e. more than 24,900 miles
(40,075 km).
h) No form of private transport may be used other than that by which the attempt is undertaken.
i) Scheduled public and chartered transport may be used, but the challenger must be a
passenger aboard these forms of transport. The challenger may not drive, ride or otherwise
Guinness World Records
Youngest person to circumnavigate by aircraft, solo
20 May 2021
operate any means of chartered or public transport.
j) The scheduled public or chartered transport must be operated by a commercial, professional
person or organisation. The challenger must provide tickets (or other appropriate documentation)
for all such journeys showing the date, time, start and end point and ticket price.
k) The participant must pass through two approximate antipodal points during the attempt. For
exact antipodal points the co-ordinates north and south are the same, whilst that east plus that
west equals 180°. However, for this event an allowance of 5° difference in total is permitted. For
example, consider Madrid, Spain and Wellington, New Zealand:
• Madrid, Spain 40.25N Wellington, NZ 41.17S Difference 0.92°
• Madrid, Spain 3.43W Wellington, NZ 174.47E E+W = 177.90°
• Deduct from 180° = 2.10°
• Total: 2.10° + 0.92° = 3.02° - Acceptable
l) It is a requirement that the proposed route – including public and charted transport - is
submitted prior to the attempt to ensure that the requirement with regard to the distances covered
will be achieved. Details of how the distances have been calculated must be given. The two
antipodal points on the route must also be indicated.
m) The entire journey must be tracked by the use of an accurate professional equipment GPS
tracking device carried by the challenger .kml files (on a disc or USB flash drive) must be sent in
as part of the evidence required. These files must include timestamped waypoints/trackpoints and
the distance covered.
n) The participant should not remain stationary (i.e. if he or she does not make any progress
towards her destination) for longer than 14 days. Any delays longer than this should have a very
good reason (e.g. injury) and must be accounted for to Guinness World Records. Note that
delays that cannot be reasonably justified may result in disqualification.
o) Witness statements must be completed by those witnesses present at the start and end of
the attempt. The template for these can be found in the Your Guide to Evidence document.
p) A witness book must be made available for independent witnesses, met along the journey, to
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and time, their signature and their email address or phone number. For an attempt which is
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independent witnesses to enable verification for the entire duration of the attempt. Where
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attempt, but one should try to obtain as many as possible.
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Travel tickets for any form of scheduled public or chartered transport should also be kept and
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s) Copies of the traveller(s) passport/s must be submitted (only the front page and the pages
relevant to this particular journey).
t) It will assist the claim if news coverage is obtained from throughout the trip, not merely in the
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v) Note that no distinction will be made between supported and unsupported journeys.
Guinness World Records
Youngest person to circumnavigate by aircraft, solo
20 May 2021
WITNESS REQUIREMENTS
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signature and their email address or phone number. For an attempt which is supported by a
backup team, we would expect it to be possible to gain sufficient numbers of independent
witnesses to enable verification for the entire duration of the attempt. Where possible, local
dignitaries and police should be sought to sign the book.
• For solo and unsupported attempts, we appreciate that it might not be possible to gain an
unbroken line of witnesses for the attempt, but one should try to obtain as many as possible.
LOG BOOK REQUIREMENTS
• Applicants must complete a log book, giving a description of the event and details of the
participant(s) daily/overall performances. It must be clear from the book the exact start and finish
points of each leg of the attempt, the exact start and finish times and calculation of daily and total
distances travelled. All rest breaks or stoppages for whatever reason must also be fully detailed in
the log. Wherever possible, entries in the logbook should be signed and dated by independent
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should be kept and countersigned by an official such as the captain or the chief cabin attendant.
• Receipts for purchases and services may also be collected as an additional form of proof.
PRE-APPROVAL
Please submit the following information prior to the record attempt to obtain approval of the
proposed methods. Any attempts not pre-approved may be rejected if the process is not deemed
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Plans for pre-approval must be sent using the Correspondence function within your application.
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Please make sure you supply the following evidence:
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Guinness World Records
Youngest person to circumnavigate by aircraft, solo
20 May 2021
in the Guide to Your Evidence or prepare a different Cover Letter.
• A copy of the claimant’s birth certificate. If the person has been married a copy of the
marriage certificate is also required.
• A copy of a relevant current form of photographic ID card should be submitted.
• Two witness statements confirming the exact details of the start and end of the attempt, as
well as explicitly confirming all of the rules have been adhered to.
• A Witness book as described in “Witness Requirements”.
• A Log book as described above in “Log Book Requirements”
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camcorder’s own time display; d) The point at which the record is broken; e) The end of the
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• Media articles is not a compulsory evidence requirement but it will assist the claim if news
coverage is obtained throughout the journey. If you have media coverage (newspaper, online, TV
or radio) GWR please submit them as part of the evidence requirements.
Please read the Guide to Your Evidence document, where you will find further information about
the evidence requirements and evidence templates. It is paramount this document is read before
you submit your evidence.

[megan]

Sam, for we anoraks did Zara fly the aircraft in an over load condition as done with many of these type of flights? If so what gross was used, also what fuel tankage? Brilliant effort. :ok:

[Jan Olieslagers]

@megan, even if if this were not about a young lady I would classify your questions as highly indiscreet.

[Sam Rutherford]

She was frequently at approximately gross (472.5KG), with full fuel in wings and about 50L additional in the rear.

Life was made easier than normal by she having almost no luggage, stripping out most of the rear (as solo, not needed), and herself only weighing 50kgs!

[Jhieminga]

The additional 50L easily translates to more than 2.5 hours of added endurance. I haven't looked up the figures but the 'traditional' overloaded configurations do not appear to be necessary if you use an engine with a low enough fuel burn. The C172 that Travis Ludlow used burns around 19.4L/hour at 70% power (TAE-125 engine), equating to just over 9 hours endurance (178L usable).

Long range tanks on the Shark UL can hold 150L, plus the additional 50L in the backseat. At medium cruise (65%) the Rotax burns 18L/hour so that is just over 11 hours of endurance at 135KT CAS. There is also a note in the AFM stating that the aircraft has been designed and tested for 600kg AUW but the manual contains limits based on the certification as a Czech UL so that is where the 472.5kg MTOW comes from. Even though you should not use a higher take off weight than the AFM limit of 472.5kg, I guess it would be safer to overload this type than a different type that has been designed for the MTOW in the books.

[Jonzarno]

She was frequently at approximately gross (472.5KG), with full fuel in wings and about 50L additional in the rear.

Life was made easier than normal by she having almost no luggage, stripping out most of the rear (as solo, not needed), and herself only weighing 50kgs!

Not needing to carry a spare pilot probably helped as well ..... :O

Brilliant achievement! :ok:

[megan]

even if if this were not about a young lady I would classify your questions as highly indiscreetJan, authorities often give approval for aircraft to operate at weights in excess of the flight manual limit, ferry flying of GA aircraft is one such area, as is record attempts. FAA § 91.323 allows certain aircraft in Alaska to operate at 115% of the flight manual limit, ferry pilot Louise Sacchi writes that the normal limit she was permitted to use was 110%.

[Mike Flynn]

Given my previous with a certain so called solo pilot I have kept away from aviation forums for some time so it came as shock to see Zara in the news and belatedly discovering she is Sam Rutherford's daughter. What a great and genuine solo adventure. I hope the HCAP and others now give her the recognition she deserves.

[Russell Gulch]

Well done to her but her sex is of no relevance, surely? If she'd been a boy it would still be a very commendable achievement.

[DIBO]

If she'd been a boy it would still be a very commendable achievement.Well, we'll soon all know if there's any difference :) Teenage pilot aims to break sister’s round-the-world solo flight record (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/feb/15/teenage-pilot-aims-to-break-sisters-round-the-world-solo-flight-record)

[BRE]

Well, good luck, will be crossing my fingers.

I'd still be grateful if a kind and knowledgeable soul could answer my questions on failure rate of the engine, precautions for overwater segments, safest approach when faced with low cloud cover (i.e. fly at 200 ft or intentionally fly into clouds), and grades MOGAS and availability at remote airfields around the world.

[Auxtank]

Well, we'll soon all know if there's any difference :) Teenage pilot aims to break sister’s round-the-world solo flight record (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/feb/15/teenage-pilot-aims-to-break-sisters-round-the-world-solo-flight-record)

Real feeling at this point? - someone needs to sit Sam down and give him a bit of a talking to.
Along the lines of Quit while you're ahead.

[First_Principal]

Real feeling at this point? - someone needs to sit Sam down and give him a bit of a talking to.
Along the lines of Quit while you're ahead.

Eh? At 16 I was independent and making my own way in life. While I totally get all the subtleties in your comment perhaps it's worth considering that this is simply a young man who has been brought up in an adventurous family, whose sister has just completed a major feat in her life, and who would like to make his own significant achievements while he can?

FP.

[India Four Two]

Without in anyway wishing to downplay Zara's achievement or her brother's desire to emulate his sister, where is all the money coming from? Is Sam super-rich?

[Sam Rutherford]

Unfortunately not!

Zara raised 100% of the funds herself, through sponsorship. She created a whole business plan, demonstrating return on investment through brand exposure. Long words for "if you pay me I'll put your logo on my plane"!

She was extremely successful.

Mack was able to ride that success by simply asking the same sponsors if they wanted to 'do it again'.

Neither Zara, nor Mack, received even one cent from any family or friends (those who offered were asked instead to donate to her chosen charities).

What they did receive from us was hundreds of hours of our expertise/experience and contacts worldwide.

[pilotmike]

I salute you, sir! I salute Zara and Mack! Total respect. THAT's the way to do it - under claim yet over achieve.

I was a strong supporter of another of your just causes a few years back, prominently on this forum, as one can quickly get a feel or measure of the characters involved - who's telling the truth and who's telling porkies some 'not quite the whole truth', who's right and who's wrong.

Zara and hopefully Mack are a shining example of how to go about challenges, and the rewards that come from 'walking the walk' rather than just 'talking the talk'. It seems they have inherited your integrity and sense of fairness and honour.

Very well done to you and your family. I truly wish I had the time, bottle, youth and sheer guts to attempt the same. :ok:

[India Four Two]

Thanks Sam. I suspected that might be the case, but I wasn’t aware of any of the fund raising efforts.

[Sam Rutherford]

https://flyzolo.com/partners/

Without whom it would not have been possible. Mack's (similar) page is the same.

It was critical for her to be able to say that she did it herself, completely. She didn't want the "Daddy's money" label to be an option for the inevitable (usually male) detractors.

Plus, we couldn't afford it anyway!

Safe flights, Sam.

[ShyTorque]

Amazing stuff.

Speaking as one who totally lost faith in HCAP/GAPAN over the publicity and accolade given to the previous “less than straightforward solo” episode referred to by others (I subsequently resigned), I sincerely hope that Zara will also be considered for an award by said organisation.

[hobbit1983]

And he's off! https://www.facebook.com/macksolo2022/

[megan]

The very best of wishes young man, wish it was me. :ok: Others have another view on such flights.

https://www.avweb.com/insider/shark-says-no-thanks-to-pushing-a-youth-record

[DIBO]

Mission completed, well done :D:D:D
Teenager becomes youngest person to fly solo around world (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/24/mack-rutherford-teenager-youngest-person-fly-solo-around-world)

[clareprop]

Chapeau! Chapeau! Chapeau!
Well done Mack. A brilliant achievement . Congratulations once again to the Flying Rutherfords. :)

[AA_1A]

Congratulations, Zara for your prior ever so slightly extended cross-country flight! Same now to Mack! And to Sam, who can now, at least temporarily, breath easier with the both of them back on solid ground, at least for the moment.

[Sam Rutherford]

Thank you all.

I'm updating my OOO message to: "I'm kipping in my bed, if you need me urgently, tough"... :)