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.

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?

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.

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:

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

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.

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.

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

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-...a-youth-record

Mission completed, well done :D:D:D
Teenager becomes youngest person to fly solo around world

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

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.

Thank you all.

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