The youngest female to fly the globe

湖南 何高伦

The 19-year-old teen pilot Zara Rutherford,safely took off to start a three-month effort to become the youngest female to fly solo around the world.Rutherford left Kortrijk-Wevelgem Airport in western Belgium in her Shark,the world's fastest microlight aircraft.

The British-Belgian flyer hoped her voyage would encourage more girls to study and later work as women in STEM（Science,Technology,Engineering and Mathematics）,and spark girls' interest in the designing,building and flying of aircraft.“Growing up,I loved aviation（航空）and STEM,but I didn't see many other women or girls doing that.I just always thought that was quite sad or discouraging.I'm hoping that I can encourage girls to go into this field,”Ms Rutherford said.

The young adventurer sought to win the title from Shaesta Waiz,the Afghan-American pilot who became the youngest woman to fly solo around the world at the age of 30.The youngest male record holder,Mason Andrews,was 18 years old when he made the journey.

Ms Rutherford's route began on August 18,2021,and took about three months,with stops in 52 countries—including Greenland,China and Nicaragua.Along the way,she stayed with local families or in hotels.Getting enough recovery time along the way was a key priority（优先事项）.Ms Rutherford said that tiredness was always a significant factor when flying long-distance.

“I make sure I'm always well rested and I've got a great team supporting me.”That team includes her parents,Beatrice and Sam Rutherford,who are both pilots.Mum Beatrice said there were“obviously mixed feelings”when her daughter first announced the ambitious plan.“When she first told me about it,my heart skipped a beat.It took me a bit of time to digest and now I'm so proud and fully,fully behind her,”she said.“It's really exciting.I see the risks;I understand them,and so does she,”said Ms Rutherford's dad Sam.

Rutherford will start university in 2022,with the“huge dream”of one day becoming an astronaut.“I love adventure and I think space is probably the biggest adventure out there.”

Reading Check

1.What did Rutherford hope to do through her voyage?

A.Raise people's awareness of improving women education.

B.Stress the equality between men and women in science field.

C.Encourage more girls to study and later work in STEM.

D.Spark people's interest in aircraft around the globe.

2.Who is the youngest male to fly solo around the world?

A.Rutherford. B.Mason Andrews. C.Shaesta Waiz. D.Sam.

3.When did Rutherford's flying probably end?

A.In August. B.In September.

C.In October. D.In November.

4.What's the attitude of Rutherford's parents to her adventure?

A.Proud. B.Unclear. C.Tolerant. D.Skeptical.

Language Study

Useful expressions

take off 起飞

skip a beat（心脏）漏跳一拍