Amelia Rose Earhart, who is named after the famous trailblazing pilot of the 1930s, began her own journey around the world in a single engine plane on Thursday.

Amelia Rose Earhart Flying Around The World

Earhart, 31, initially resented her parents for naming her after the aviatrix she and her peers learned about in school. In an effort to distance herself from the legendary Amelia Earhart, who tragically disappeared in the midst of her flight around the world, she insisted she be referred to as Amy. It wasn’t until college that, after embracing her given, she decided to give flying a try, she told the Denver Post.

"It was a lot to handle,” Earhart revealed, referring to people wondering if she’d ever want to pilot a plane. “You don't want to talk about yourself or your future career at that point in your life because you're not working toward a career yet.”

After taking her first flying lesson, it took Earhart four more years to acquire her license. Earlier this year, Earhart walked away from her job as a traffic and weather reporter for 9News to begin planning her round-the-world trip. Earhart’s route, which will be similar to the one traversed by her namesake in 1937, will take her mostly over the open ocean. The 28,000-mile trip is expected to take her about two weeks.

Preparing For A Safe Flight

For her expedition, Earhart will be joined by a co-pilot, flight instructor Shane Jordan. Jordan, who has the utmost admiration for Earhart, doesn’t fear the journey.

“It never really crossed my mind that this was a dangerous thing," said Jordan. "Safety is 100 percent job one."

Jordan added, speaking of the modern day pilot, "You can compare [her drive] to the original Amelia. [Amelia Rose] is a great example to show people that if you have a dream, go out there and make it happen. She is proving that nothing really should stop you, and it's very impressive what she's been able to pull together."

Earhart, too, believes that they’ve done the prep work to ensure a safe flight. "I feel so confident in the aircraft, the safety gear, the training that we've done," Earhart said. "Right now I'm the most concentrated and focused I've ever been in my life.”

"I just quit my job to fly around the world," Earhart added. "I think there is something to be said for taking risks like she did, and it feels good to know that we have that in common."

Earhart and Jordan took off from Oakland, Calif., at 8 a.m. Thursday and made a stop in Denver for a send-off party. On Friday, Earhart’s global journey officially commenced.

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