This Afghan refugee just completed her historic round-the-world flight

Shaesta Waiz is now the youngest woman to fly solo round the globe.

After making an epic 138 stops, one pilot has just touched down to a world record.

Shaesta Waiz has become the youngest woman to make a solo round-the-world flight in a single engine aircraft, after departing from Florida, US, back in May.

Read:
Queen Rania gave us a masterclass in power dressing this week
These photos show another side of Saudi Arabia

The 30-year-old, who was born in a refugee camp in Afghanistan, travelled an incredible 25,000 nautical miles across 20 countries to claim the title before landing back in Florida this week.

The 145-day journey traversed five continents, her Instagram page revealed as she arrived back on US soil.

One word: ‘Home!’ . Mission Accomplished! Departing from Baton Rouge airport (KBTR), Shaesta Waiz landed safely at Daytona Beach International airport (KDAB) this evening, 6:43pm EDT, completing her 20 country, 5 continents, 25,000 NM, 145 days trip around the world! She’s home! Celebrate with us! . #KDAB #Sheltair #BTR #DreamTeam #DreamsSoar #DaytonaBeach #STEMsoars #ShaestaWaiz . 🎥 by @jillmeyersphoto

A post shared by DREAMS SOAR (@dreamssoar) on Oct 4, 2017 at 6:36pm PDT

Waiz, who also holds the crown of youngest certified civilian female aviator from Afghanistan, emigrated to the US as a child, where she gained her licence to fly.

“I thought my role was to become a house wife and have kids. My mum had six girls,” she told CTV News.

However Waiz discovered a love for aviation during her teens, and now hopes her mission will inspire other young women to chase their dreams.

So 145 days later…. #ShaestasHome pic.twitter.com/tBvP0s4uVG

— Dreams Soar (@DreamsSoarSTEM) October 4, 2017

“When I found my passion — flying — that’s when I started to challenge myself. I started to read. I started to do better in maths. I started to look at the world differently, the sky differently,” she told AFP.

“What’s important is finding your passion and going after it.”

The pilot even made a pitstop in Dubai during her adventure, trading in her Beechcraft Bonanza A36 for an Emirates Boeing 777 (well, a test simulator anyway) during her visit.

Read:
Sheikh Mohammed has again offered up his private plane to help refugees
You need to see this hijabi journalist’s gorgeous wedding photos

The keen aviator, who flew her first plane at the age of 18, hopes to encourage more females to earn their wings with her solo mission, which she’s undertaken as part of her non-profit Dreams Soar.

“An airplane doesn’t know if you are a girl or boy, what your religion or background is,” the pilot said while in Dubai. “It reacts based on the input of the pilot.”

Congratulation Shaesta!

– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene straight to your newsfeed, follow us on Facebook