On August 24, a huge crowd of people welcomed the 17-year-old pilot, Mack Rutherford and celebrated his achievement. He has become the youngest person to fly alone around the world. Rutherford landed his small plane in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia. That is also where he started his trip five months ago.
Rutherford was born into a family of flyers. He earned his pilot’s license in 2020, becoming the youngest pilot in the world at the age of 15. Rutherford turned 17 during his trip and broke the Guinness World Record for the youngest male to fly around the world. That record had been held by Travis Ludlow of Britain. Ludlow was 18 when he made his flight around the world last year. Rutherford also became the youngest person to fly around the world in an ultralight plane. His sister, Zara, finished her own around-the-world flight in January at age 19. Until August 24, she held the ultralight record. Zara also set the record as the youngest woman to fly alone around the world.
His trip, which began on March 23, took Rutherford through 52 countries. To set a mark recognized by the Guinness World Records, he crossed the equator twice. His trip around the world started in Sofia on a plane owned by the Internet company ICDSoft. The ultralight plane, called Shark, can travel at the speed of 300 kilometers per hour. Rutherford first planned to make the trip in three months. But it lasted longer because of several barriers, including rainstorms, sandstorms and extreme heat.
His father, Sam Rutherford, said he was extremely happy and proud of his children’s achievements. He told reporters that such an event helps show other children that they should follow their dreams. His sister, Zara, said she kept in close touch with her younger brother during his flight. “While he was flying, I constantly tried to keep in touch and help him,” she said. “Our parents called him every day, and I joined in those conversations. I gave him advice on the route, on the flight, so that I could be useful to him.”
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