16-Year-Old Attempting Solo Flight Across the World Lands in Nairobi

British-Belgian teen pilot Mack Rutherford poses during a photocall to promote his attempt to be the youngest male to make a round-the-world solo flight, at Biggin Hill Airfield, south east of London, United Kingdom, on Feb. 15, 2022. (Glyn Kirk /AFP via Getty Images)

A 16-year-old boy attempting to create a world record by flying solo across the world landed in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on May 18.

Mack Rutherford started his journey, dubbed MackSolo, near the Bulgarian capital of Sofia on March 23 and aims to clinch a Guinness World Record currently held by Travis Ludlow, who was 18 when he completed an around-the-world trip in 2021.

Rutherford comes from a family of pilots and carries dual British and Belgian nationality.

“My inspiration comes from my passion for flying and also the motivation and support I receive from family. My sister has also greatly inspired me since she is currently the youngest female to fly across the world,” Rutherford told Nairobi News after clambering out of his two-seater single prop ultralight aircraft at Wilson Airport, referring to older sister Zara, who is currently the youngest woman to fly around the world, at age 19.

Rutherford started learning to fly at the tender age of 7, sitting alongside his father. He went on to pilot at 15, becoming the youngest pilot in the world.

Regarding the trip, Rutherford claimed that crossing the vast Sahara Desert was difficult, but he enjoyed the challenge. “It hasn’t let me down, I’ve absolutely loved the views both around the Sahara desert and in Kenya,” he said, according to Reuters.

Slovak-based plane manufacturer Shark Aero considered the adventure too risky for the young man and declined to partner with the project.

“Mack is no doubt a skilled pilot. However, we do not feel comfortable pushing the age limit to the lowest possible point for journeys where a certain level of risk cannot be avoided,” the company stated on its website.

Besides this, the company stated it doesn’t support ventures into Russian airspace, and the fact that “Mack’s Shark has only 100[-liter (26-gallon)] integrated fuel tanks,” which is “an unnecessary risk” they’re not willing to endorse.

Shark Aero provided the plane and 24/7 technical support to Zara Rutherford in her successful attempt to fly around the world.

Mack Rutherford’s journey will see him visit four more African and Indian Ocean countries, after which he will head into the Middle East. He will go across Asia and cover North America before returning to Europe.

“I’m hoping, with this journey, to inspire young people to follow their dreams,” Rutherford said, according to Reuters.

Regarding school, Rutherford said that flying was his priority at present. “It’s quite difficult. School right now is not really working for me. I’m going to have to catch up on it some other day. But all in all, it’s worth it to be out and living life,” he told Nairobi News.