Muscat – A 16-year-old schoolboy who is on a quest to become the youngest person to fly around the world solo, will land Oman on May 31, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

A statement issued by CAA said that ‘the Authority has approved the arrival of the world’s youngest pilot, 16-year-old Mack Rutherford, with his specially-made plane.’

He is expected to arrive at Muscat International Airport on May 31 as part of his tour to break the record as the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world.

Rutherford, who has British and Belgian nationality, started his journey near the Bulgarian capital Sofia on March 23 and is looking to clinch a Guinness World record currently held by compatriot Travis Ludlow, who was 18 when he completed a circumnavigation last year.

On May 22, Rutherford made an eight-hour long – six hour over the sea – flight and landed in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

‘A flight over the sea is potentially always riskier, as there are no options to divert and land in case of an issue. Rutherford felt comfortable with this flight,’ updated his team.

Rutherford is being advised by experienced pilots throughout his journey. He has an Iridium Communications satellite system which allows him to be in communications at all times with the flight operation team.

‘In fact, that is exactly what is happening during every single flight. Someone on the Flight Ops team tracks every flight, for the whole flight. Rutherford exchanges multiple messages with them regularly during flights about the weather, potentially unexpected events, etc,’ his team stated.