At just 19 years old, Zara Rutherford didn’t just dream of touching the sky she soared through it on a global scale. In 2022, she made headlines around the world by becoming the youngest woman ever to fly solo around the globe. Her mission wasn’t only about setting a record. It was about proving that young women belong in aviation and in every sky-high ambition they can imagine.

Zara’s adventure took her across 52 countries, lasted 155 days, and included not one but two equator crossings. Flying in a lightweight Shark Aero microlight aircraft, she faced weather delays, visa challenges, and long hours in the cockpit. But with determination and courage, she completed the journey, sending a clear message to the world: the sky is not the limit.

Taking Flight with Purpose

Zara didn’t come from just any background she was born into a family of aviators. Her father is a professional pilot, and her mother is a recreational flyer. But Zara’s goals were her own. She wanted to combine her love of flying with a bigger purpose: to inspire girls and young women to pursue careers in aviation, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in these fields. In aviation, for instance, only about 5% of pilots worldwide are women. Zara set out to be a living example that young women can lead, explore, and conquer challenges once seen as “impossible.”

Challenges at Every Altitude

Flying solo around the world in a small plane is no walk in the park. Zara navigated across vast oceans, icy mountains, and remote airstrips. Her microlight aircraft, although fast and efficient, offered little protection from turbulence, extreme cold, or long flight hours.

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Some of the most difficult parts of the trip included flying over Siberia in the middle of winter, dealing with weather-related delays in Alaska, and making unplanned stops due to geopolitical restrictions. She often had to rely on local aviation communities for support and shelter, sometimes spending days waiting out storms or arranging special permits.

But through every obstacle, Zara remained composed and focused. Her resilience and problem-solving skills became just as important as her piloting abilities.

A New Role Model for the Next Generation

Zara’s journey didn’t end when she landed back in Belgium it only expanded. Through her story, she has become a role model for girls around the world, showing that age, gender, and inexperience are not barriers to achieving great things.

She also launched FlyZolo, a platform designed to raise awareness and spark conversation around female representation in STEM and aviation. Her message is clear: representation matters, and young people need to see someone who looks like them doing extraordinary things.

Whether speaking at schools, giving interviews, or sharing updates through social media, Zara continues to encourage others to chase their dreams even the wild ones.

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The Legacy of a Young Trailblazer

Zara Rutherford’s journey is more than a record-breaking flight. It is a story of vision, courage, and purpose. At 19, she carved her place in aviation history, not just for the title, but to open the runway for those who follow.

Her story reminds us all that bold dreams, when met with action, can spark global change. And for every young girl who watched Zara fly across the world, there’s a new belief taking shape: “If she can do it, maybe I can too.”