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Graphic shows the flight path of Travis Ludlow on his journey around the world.
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AVIATION

Teenage pilot breaks world record for youngest solo global flight

By Ninian Carter

July 12, 2021 - An 18-year-old British pilot has broken the world record for the youngest person to fly solo round the world in a single-engine aircraft.

Travis Ludlow, from Buckinghamshire, England, departed Teuge in The Netherlands on May 29, heading east across Europe via Poland, before flying through Russia, crossing the International Date Line and entering Alaska.

After meandering through north America and crossing the Atlantic Ocean, Ludlow flew into western Europe and north Africa before, before his trip back to Teuge – landing safely back where he started, on July 12 – breaking the world record.

The teenage pilot made the trip in a Cessna 172R, regarded as the safest single engine aircraft ever built, upgraded with the latest avionics and aerodynamic fairings. Another useful aspect is that the plane has sold 44,000 units, meaning there were very few aviation maintenance facilities in the world that did not have experience of the 172 aircraft, when Travis’ plane required repairs.

The previous world record holder was Mason Andrews from the U.S., who completed his round-the-word trip aged 18-and-a-half, in 2018.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 13/07/2021; STORY: Graphic News
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