17-year-old Mack Rutherford becomes youngest person to fly solo around the world

Mack Rutherford’s record-breaking flight covered 54,000 kilometres (34,000 miles) in 221 hours of flying time across 30 countries

17-year-old was recognised by Guinness World Records, with a certificate confirming he beat the record set last year by 18-year-old Travis Ludlow

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17-year-old Mack Rutherford succeeded in his attempt to become the youngest person to fly around the world solo in a small plane and broke the Guinness world record on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 10:38am, 25 Aug 2022Updated: 3:12pm, 25 Aug 2022

A British-Belgian teenager became the youngest person to fly solo around the world on Wednesday after a five-month journey that saw him battle monsoon rains, searing heat and bureaucracy.

Cheers went up as 17-year-old Mack Rutherford landed at an airfield near the Bulgarian capital Sofia after flying 54,124km (33,631 miles) and visiting more than 30 countries since he departed from the same site in his Shark Aero microlight aeroplane on March 23.

Mack Rutherford’s feat was recognised by the Guinness World Records group, with a certificate confirming that he had beaten the record set last year by 18-year-old Travis Ludlow of Britain.

“Amazing to finally be here again and to have done my goal,” he said with a wide smile. “It took a little bit longer than I had hoped for, but it was very exciting, very interesting trip and I don’t regret at all going on it.”

Mack Rutherford, 17, receives a Guinness World Record certificate for his achievement as the youngest person to fly solo around the world. Photo: AFP

“This kind of journey requires a lot of control at all levels, you have to be able to control your emotions, your stress,” his mother, Beatrice de Smet told Agence France-Presse.