17-year-old Sets Record for Flying Alone Around the World
2022-08-25
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1A 17-year-old pilot has become the youngest person to fly alone around the world.
2Mack Rutherford, who holds British and Belgian citizenship, completed his trip Wednesday.
3He landed his small plane in Bulgaria's capital, Sofia.
4That is also where he started his trip five months ago.
5Rutherford, who turned 17 during his trip, broke the Guinness World Record for youngest male to fly around the world.
6That record had been held by Travis Ludlow of Britain. Ludlow was 18 when he made his flight around the world last year.
7Rutherford also became the youngest person to fly around the world in an ultralight plane.
8His sister, Zara, finished her own around-the-world flight in January at age 19.
9Until Wednesday, she held the ultralight record.
10Zara also set the record as the youngest woman to fly alone around the world.
11His trip, which began March 23, took Rutherford through 52 countries across five continents.
12To set a mark recognized by the Guinness World Records, he crossed the equator twice.
13Rutherford was born into a family of flyers.
14He earned his pilot's license in 2020, becoming the youngest pilot in the world at the age of 15.
15His trip around the world started in Sofia on a plane owned by the internet company ICDSoft.
16The ultralight plane, called Shark, can travel at the speed of 300 kilometers per hour.
17Normally a two-seater, the plane was changed for his long trip by replacing the second seat with an extra fuel container.
18Rutherford first planned to make the trip in three months.
19But it lasted longer because of several barriers, including rainstorms, sandstorms and extreme heat.
20Most of the delays were caused by waits to get permits and other documents required for keeping with the flight plan.
21The flight took him through Africa and the Gulf area to India, China, South Korea, and Japan.
22He crossed the northern Pacific and landed after 10 straight hours in the air on a volcanic island near the Bering Strait.
23From there, he headed to Alaska and down the West Coast of the United States to Mexico.
24Then he headed north again along the U.S. East Coast to Canada, and across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.
25On Wednesday, a huge crowd of people welcomed Rutherford and celebrated his achievements.
26His father, Sam Rutherford, said he was extremely happy and proud of his children's achievements.
27He told reporters that such an event helps show other children they should follow their dreams.
28His sister, Zara, said she kept in close touch with her younger brother during his flight.
29"While he was flying, I constantly tried to keep in touch and help him," she said.
30"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."
31I'm Ashley Thompson.
1A 17-year-old pilot has become the youngest person to fly alone around the world. 2Mack Rutherford, who holds British and Belgian citizenship, completed his trip Wednesday. He landed his small plane in Bulgaria's capital, Sofia. That is also where he started his trip five months ago. 3Rutherford, who turned 17 during his trip, broke the Guinness World Record for 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. 4Rutherford 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 Wednesday, she held the ultralight record. Zara also set the record as the youngest woman to fly alone around the world. 5His trip, which began March 23, took Rutherford through 52 countries across five continents. To set a mark recognized by the Guinness World Records, he crossed the equator twice. 6Rutherford 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. 7His 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. Normally a two-seater, the plane was changed for his long trip by replacing the second seat with an extra fuel container. 8Rutherford first planned to make the trip in three months. But it lasted longer because of several barriers, including rainstorms, sandstorms and extreme heat. Most of the delays were caused by waits to get permits and other documents required for keeping with the flight plan. 9The flight took him through Africa and the Gulf area to India, China, South Korea, and Japan. He crossed the northern Pacific and landed after 10 straight hours in the air on a volcanic island near the Bering Strait. 10From there, he headed to Alaska and down the West Coast of the United States to Mexico. Then he headed north again along the U.S. East Coast to Canada, and across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. 11On Wednesday, a huge crowd of people welcomed Rutherford and celebrated his achievements. 12His 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 they should follow their dreams. 13His sister, Zara, said she kept in close touch with her younger brother during his flight. 14"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." 15I'm Ashley Thompson. 16Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on The Associated Press news report. 17______________________________________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19ultralight - adj. extremely lightweight 20replace - v. to put something new in place of 21achievement - n. the state or condition of accomplishing something 22constantly - adv. happening all the time 23conversation - n. talk between two people or a small group