Another Rutherford – Mack – aims to fly round-the-world

Mack Rutherford – yes, Zara’s brother – is 16 and on 17 March 2022 he will start an attempt to beat the Guinness World Record as the youngest person to fly around the world solo in a small plane.

Mack comes from a flying-mad family. Both his father, Sam and mother Beatrice, are pilots and, famously, his older sister Zara. He qualified for his pilot licence in September 2020, which at the time, made him the youngest pilot in the world at the age of 15 years and two months.

Mack has flown hundreds of hours with his dad, a professional pilot, including two Trans-Atlantic crossings.

Mack will start his trip in Sofia, Bulgaria, the location of his sponsor, ICDSoft. From there he will fly south to Africa, visiting Congo, Madagascar and Mauritius.

Mack Rutherford’s around-the-world route. Images: MackSolo

Next he will head north to Oman, UAE and east to Kazakhstan and across Russia. He will cross the Bering Strait into Alaska and continue along the west coast of America to Mexico.

Then he will head north again along the east coast to Canada, he will cross the Atlantic, stop in Iceland, the UK and finish his journey in Sofia.

“I have been fortunate to have had a family that has been able to help me progress in my flying,” said Mack. “But no matter what background you have, I believe it is never too early to work towards your dreams and you shouldn’t limit yourself by others’ expectations.”

Mack has British and Belgian nationality. He’s aiming to beat the world record set by Brit Travis Ludlow last year.

Mack will be flying a Shark microlight – similar to the one flown by Zara.

Follow Mack on his website, MackSolo