Shaesta Waiz

Shaesta Waiz (born 1987), an American pilot, is the first female certified civilian pilot from Afghanistan, and the youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single-engine aircraft.[2][3]

Shaesta Waiz
Born1987 (1987)[1]
Afghanistan
NationalityAmerican
EducationEmbry–Riddle Aeronautical University
Known forThe youngest female to make a solo flight around the world in a single-engine aircraft[1]
Aviation career
Famous flightsCircumnavigation with a 2001 Beechcraft Bonanza A36 aircraft
(12 May 2017–4 October 2017)[1]

Waiz was born in Afghanistan. Her family traveled to the United States in 1987 to escape the Soviet–Afghan War.[4] She went on to study at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where she started the Women's Ambassador Program to mentor and support young women pursuing an education in aviation and engineering.[5]

She founded the non-profit organization Dreams Soar, Inc and planned a solo flight around the world, originally scheduled to launch in 2016[6][7] On October 4, 2017, Waiz became the youngest woman to fly around the world solo in a single engine aircraft.[1]

References
  1. "Afghan Refugee Completes Historic Flight Around the World". National Geographic. 4 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  2. "Afghan ex-refugee Shaesta Waiz on round-the-world solo flight". BBC.com. 15 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  3. "29-Year-Old Refugee Pilot Flies Around the World to Promote Women in STEM". nbcnews.com. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  4. "Remnants Of An Invasion". tribunedigital-chicagotribune. 5 July 1987. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  5. "Women's Ambassador Program at Embry-Riddle - Home". Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  6. "Afghan pilot Shaesta Waiz takes flight for women". CBC News. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  7. "Route". Dreams Soar. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
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