At just 21 years old, Alberton-born commercial sport pilot instructor Shannon Samantha Russell has flown higher — quite literally — than most people will in a lifetime. Her extraordinary story was shared with HOT 1027 News, where she spoke about the record-breaking moment that took her to the cruising altitude of international airliners.

Aviation has been woven into Shannon’s life from before she was even born. Her father, Sean Russell, a respected Sling Aircraft test pilot and technician, introduced her to flying “from the womb.” By age 10, growing up around the proudly South African–manufactured Sling aircraft, she was tall enough to reach the controls — and her father began training her himself. Shannon earned her student pilot licence at 15 and went solo at 16, despite delaying the flight briefly after a motorcycle accident left her arm in a cast.

Her journey accelerated when she received a full scholarship from Sling Pilot Academy in the United States, where she earned her private pilot’s licence, instrument rating, commercial pilot’s licence and sport instructor qualification. But she carried more than ambition with her across the world — she carried her father’s legacy.

Sean passed away in January 2023, just months before he and Shannon were due to relocate to the US together. With support from South African and American aviation experts,

Shannon set her sights on something bold: breaking the altitude record for a female pilot in a Sling aircraft.

The previous benchmark was 27,000 feet. Shannon aimed for 30,000 feet. The Sling performed so flawlessly that she climbed to a breathtaking 32,000 feet, high above the Californian coastline. There, with her father’s ashes beside her and a trusted family friend in the co-pilot seat, she watched the curvature of the Earth and honoured the man who taught her to fly.

What began as a world-record attempt became a deeply personal tribute — and a powerful reminder of what local talent can achieve when passion takes flight.