Page 3 - Aerotech News and Review, October 1, 2021

Another exciting day at Mojave Air and Space Port
Youngest woman to fly solo around world lands in Mojave

by Cathy Hansen Excitement grew as everyone went Yeana Yeager flew around the world amazement.
special to Aerotech News out onto the flightline to get a better non-stop, unrefueled in nine days, 3
view of her landing. A Mojave Air and minutes and 44 seconds. Fixing Squawks and Routine
Diane Barney, Mojave Air and Space Port fire truck was staged and Her face expressed her awe at the Maintenance
Space Port Board Director alerted ready to give her a special welcome. sight of that map. Rutherford asked, Barney stated on a Facebook post,
everyone that Zara Rutherford, the After landing on Runway 26, Lind- “How could they do that without stop- “After entertaining folks who wanted
youngest woman to attempt a flight ner and Matt Nelson, MASP Airport ping for fuel?” Barney told her that photos, she ran off to set Rick Aldrich
around the world solo, would be land- Operations Manager were on the ramp the 110-foot wings were full of fuel and Amy Mulligan on fixing some
ing in Mojave on Sept. 13, 2021. to direct her to parking. As she turned and after take-off, they shut one en- squawks on her Slovakian two-seater
Barney knew Sam Rutherford, onto Taxiway Charlie with everyone gine down and flew around the world taking her around the world.
Zara’s father, from a previous endeav- cheering, Fire Chief Damien Far- on one engine. She shook her head in See MOJAVE, Page 4
or called the Vintage Air Rally, Ush- rar turned on the fire cannon, which
uaia2USA. Ushuaia is the capital of arched over the top of Zara’s aircraft.
Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Water droplets were still visible
Atlántico Sur Province, Argentina. Te- on the Shark ultralight, as 19-year-
hachapi resident, Dustin Mosher and old Zara taxied to a stop in front of
Mojave resident, Barney were chosen the original Marine Corps Air Station
as one of the four teams from the Unit- tower at Mojave.
ed States. They were to fly their 1942 Photograph by Zara Rutherford Tehachapi Build-A-Plane students
Stearman ‘Felix’ in the race. craft with retractable gear, a smaller gathered next to Zara and her airplane
Rutherford asked Barney if she wing, a variable-pitch propeller and for a historical group photo.
might talk to Zara about becoming an first class comfortable cockpit in- These high school students have
aerospace engineer. She answered in terior. The Shark was designed and constructed a Zenith Cruzer from a
the affirmative and suggested that she constructed as a fast cross-country kit. It is now certified and ready to fly.
land at Mojave during her round the airplane, built on innovative design Rutherford took questions from
world flight. and new technologies. press and interested folks who are
Sam Rutherford is a former Brit- The Shark is powered by a RO- supporting her goal of being the
ish Army pilot who began his flying TAX 912 ULS 100hp engine running youngest woman to fly around the
career at age 13 and soloed when he a WOODCOMP two-blade adjustable world solo.
One person asked, “How old
were you when you first rode in an
airplane?” She answered, “About 3
months, I think.” She told how she Photograph by Cathy Hansen
flew all over Africa with her father
when she was very young and that
she took flying lessons in a Cessna
170 and Piper Cherokee PA28.
Everyone was surprised to hear
that she only had 130 hours total time
solo when she started on her journey
around the world. She had so much
experience flying with her parents that
it seemed natural to want to fly around
the world.
When asked what advice she would
give to another young woman who
Photograph by Diane Barney
wanted to pursue an adventure, she
replied, “Just do it.” Laughter filled
was 16. Rutherford holds a commer- propeller. It has an exceptional cruis- the room and then a person said, “I
cial license in fixed-wing aircraft and ing speed of 140 knots. think a shoe company already has that
helicopter, with more than 3,000 flight tagline.”
hours logged. Zara’s mother, Beatrica, Jack Northrop Field to Mojave Rutherford said that she wants to be
is also a pilot and a lawyer. Air and Space Port an inspiration to other young women
According to a website about her fa- The departure flight from Haw- and girls to learn to fly, pursue their
ther, “Zara has been traveling in small thorne, Calif., was delayed a few dreams and careers involving STEM Photograph by Cathy Hansen
planes since the age of six and began hours due to a marine layer that made (Science, Technology, Engineering
jumping out of it with a parachute at visibility less than three miles. When and Mathamatics).
eleven.” weather conditions cleared, Rutherford You can watch Zara’s flight path.
took off and headed for Mojave. Just go to Flyzolo.com and there
Solo flight began Aug. 18 in
Belgium
When airport management heard the
news, they were quick to make plans
and ready all hands. “We will be at
her beck and call,” said Matt Nelson,
MASP Airport Ops Manager.
Events surrounding Zara’s arrival
included a meet and greet event on
the flightline; a press conference in
the Board Room, plus tours of the
various aerospace firms located at the
space port. Photograph by Diane Barney
Todd Lindner, MASP CEO/General
Manager said, “We are very excited to As everyone waited in the Voyager is a link to Flight Following. As of
be a part of Miss Rutherford’s journey Restaurant and out on the ramp, Di- Sept. 25, she was in Juneau, Alaska.
around the world. We will help her any ane Barney announced, “She just took After the press conference, Barney
way possible.” off!” Many people watched Zara’s took Zara into the Voyager Restaurant Photograph by Cathy Hansen
progress on their smart phones with to see the map or the world that cov-
Rutherford’s airplane Flight Following. About 30 minutes ers the west wall and has the com-
The Shark Aero is a high-perfor- later, someone shouted, “She’s over plete route that the Voyager aircraft
mance two seat tandem ultralight air- Rosamond!” took in 1968 when Dick Rutan and
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