Orkney pilot Rebecca Simpson has become the first woman to fly the shortest scheduled flight in the world.
She took her place in history after taking over the controls for the Papa Westray to Westray route, which doubles as a vital inter-island service.
The journey usually takes just two minutes to complete, including time for taxi-ing up the runways, and costs £21 for a return.
Ms Simpson, 35, got her chance following the retirement of her predecessor, Stuart Linklater, who put her through her paces on the 1.7-mile flight.
She said: “It really is one of the most beautiful flights there is.
“On a clear day you can see all the way to the Fair Isle and Shetland, and flying over the Orkney islands is beautiful. The cliffs are stunning.”
Ms Simpson has moved to Orkney to take over the route, which is operated by Loganair.
Her first solo flight from Westray to Papa Westray – a global draw for flying enthusiasts keen to experience the shortest scheduled airborne journey – was two weeks ago.
Passengers using the route are from all walks of life.
Ms Simpson, who hails from London, said: “We get a lot of teachers and people travelling to hospital and things like that.
“There are schoolchildren sometimes and we get quite a lot of banking people, especially in summer, and a lot of tourists as well in the summer months.”
Locals are entitled to discounted fares on the route, which is restricted to a maximum of nine passengers – one of whom sits next to the pilot – on each flight.
Ms Simpson has flown it in only one minute and 15 seconds, which is 23 seconds outside the record.
The journey time is measured from when the wheels come up to the second they touch down on dry land again.
Loganair chief operating officer Phil Preston said: “The Orkney inter-isles service is one of the most famous routes in aviation, with people journeying to islands on a daily basis to travel on the world’s shortest flight. It is hugely important and Rebecca will be performing an essential role, which I am sure she will excel in.”
Paisley-based Loganair has a higher than average number of female pilots, with 19 currently on board.
Mr Linklater’s retirement came after 24 years as a pilot, with 1.3million air miles on his service record.