A remarkable achievement in aviation has been marked by the successful world altitude record set by **Shannon Russell**, a 20-year-old graduate of the **Sling Pilot Academy**. On **October 30, 2025**, Russell soared to an impressive height of **32,049 feet** while piloting a **Sling TSi** aircraft from **Torrance Municipal Airport** in California.
This accomplishment is particularly significant as it represents a new milestone for women in aviation, a field where female representation remains low, with women comprising only about **5%** of all airline captains. The last altitude record set by a woman occurred in **1936**, highlighting the rarity of such achievements. Russell expressed her motivations, stating, “The main reason I did this was purely for empowering women. How can women be inspired nowadays if no one’s done it recently?”
Training and Preparation for the Record Flight
To prepare for this record-breaking flight, Russell underwent extensive training, which included not only mastering the **Sling TSi** but also conditioning her body to manage oxygen levels and heart rate. **Jean d’Assonville**, co-CEO of Sling Pilot Academy and Russell’s mentor, collaborated with her throughout the process. Together, they consulted aviation doctors to determine the necessary oxygen supply for both the altitude and duration of the flight.
On the day of the flight, they carried three oxygen tanks aboard to avoid the risk of hypoxia, a condition caused by insufficient oxygen. Communication was key, as another pilot flying at a lower altitude provided mental clarity checks to ensure both Russell and d’Assonville remained focused.
Additional preparations included coordinating with the **Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)** and **Los Angeles International Airport** to establish a safe flight route, ensuring that aircraft would not interfere with their ascent.
Russell’s flight has been viewed as a pivotal moment for women in aviation. **Jay Price**, the director of marketing and enrollments at Sling Pilot Academy, emphasized the school’s commitment to community engagement and inspiring future generations to pursue careers in aviation. “Safety, efficiency, and community are our pillars,” Price stated. “Sling Pilot Academy is proud to be uplifting so many lives in our local community through incredible and lucrative careers in aviation.”
A Personal Journey and Legacy
Beyond achieving a record, Russell dedicated her flight to honoring her late father, **Sean Russell**, a former chief test pilot for Sling who tragically passed away in a **Sling** aircraft crash in **January 2023**. “It was very personal taking his ashes up there,” she reflected. “He taught me how to fly in the Sling and was also Jean’s best friend.” Her journey into aviation began at the age of **16**, and within a short span, she has demonstrated extraordinary talent and ambition.
Since joining the Sling Pilot Academy in **San Diego**, Russell has quickly excelled, earning her **Student Pilot License** and completing her first solo flight in the same year. Following her record-setting ascent, she has returned to South Africa for a well-deserved break but remains committed to her long-term goal of building her own Sling TSi and flying it around the world.
Russell is passionate about promoting aviation among young people and has taken on roles as a **Young Women in Aviation Ambassador** and **Female Youth Leader in Aviation**. “This flight was about expanding the performance envelope of the airplane and showing what’s possible for women in aviation,” she said. Her hope is that young girls will see her achievement and realize that the sky is not the limit, but merely the beginning of their potential.
As aviation continues to evolve, Shannon Russell’s achievements serve as a beacon for aspiring aviators, particularly women, encouraging them to pursue their dreams in a field that has historically seen limited female representation.
