Latest news with #teenpilot
ABC News
3 days ago
- ABC News
Brisbane teenager Byron Waller has set off on an historic attempt to fly around the globe
Brisbane teenager Byron Waller has set off on an historic attempt to fly around the globe
ABC News
3 days ago
- ABC News
Teen pilot set to soar into history books, become youngest to fly around the world
At 15, there's plenty of things teenagers could be doing: hanging out with friends, doom-scrolling social media, working a part-time job. But for Byron Waller, the stakes are much higher. He may not be old enough to drive a car, but that hasn't stopped him from soaring through the sky, with a vision of becoming the youngest pilot to fly supported around the world. "I'm beginning my big flight around the world... [day one] is to Alice Springs via Roma," he said. "It feels kind of unreal ... it's still catching up with me." The mammoth journey has been more than 12 months in the making with the Queensland pilot taking off Saturday morning. Byron is embarking on a trip that will span 45,000 kilometres, 30 countries over all seven continents and take about two months to complete. Byron's passion for flying began about a decade ago, with a chance joy-ride. As he got older, he said his passion ignited like "a burning fire" and resulted in him booking his first flying lesson just two years ago. "I was 13 and I loved it ... flight training is hard, you've got to learn theory, it's a long and hard process," he said. "Once you see what you can achieve out of it, flying opens up a whole new world." Byron's noble steed for the journey is a Sling TSi — a four seat, single engine aircraft. He'll be accompanied by a token jar of Vegemite and instructor Paul Denness. It was a tough wave off for Mum Jeni Langdon. "It's surreal, I've had a moment of 'oh my son is about to fly around the world in a little aeroplane'... but it is exciting," she said. It's not the first time Byron has soared into the history books. Last year at age 14, he achieved his dream of becoming the youngest person to fly around Australia. It was the same year he was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory condition. Byron hopes to prove to other children with the same diagnosis that no challenge is too big. "My goal is to do the whole trip of the world, but the main mission is to spread awareness," the pilot said. "Showing people you can achieve your dreams ... being in hospital is tough, even just getting out for a day is a miracle in itself [for some]. "I want to show young people that they can do something massive." Byron said a highlight of the trip will be flying over the Grand Canyon in the United States. "We'll get to land near it which will be so cool. That will be probably my favourite part of the trip," the teenager said. The prestigious title of youngest pilot to circumnavigate the globe rests with British-Belgian pilot Mack Rutherford, who set the solo record at 17-years-old in 2022, beating his sister Zara's attempt in the same year. In 2017, Sunshine Coast teen Lachlan Smart also made headlines for his solo circumnavigation in a single-engine plane. Supporters can follow Byron's record attempt on Flight Tracker using his plane registration VH-ZMD.
The Independent
03-07-2025
- The Independent
Teen pilot detained in Antarctica while attempting world record to raise money for cancer charity
This is the moment a U.S. influencer and teen pilot landed without authorisation in Chilean Antarctica, prompting his arrest. Ethan Guo, 19, was flying a Cessna 182 from Punta Arenas on Saturday, June 28, when he diverted from his approved flight plan and touched down at Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Martin Airport in Antarctica. He appeared before a Chilean judge via video on Sunday, June 29, and claimed technical issues forced the diversion, according to his lawyer. Guo was attempting to become 'the first person in history to fly solo to all seven continents in a small aircraft and raise $1 million for cancer research,' according to his website.
The Independent
03-07-2025
- The Independent
US teen detained carrying out bold plan to fly solo to seven continents
Teenage pilot Ethan Guo, 19, was detained by Chilean authorities after landing in Antarctica without permission. Guo is accused by Chile of submitting a false flight plan, stating he would fly over Punta Arenas but instead proceeding to Antarctica. He was attempting to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents, a journey he began last May. Guo's flight is part of a fundraising effort to raise $1 million for cancer research, prompted by a cousin's Stage-4 blood cancer diagnosis. He was detained at the Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Base in Chilean Antarctic territory; his lawyer stated he experienced "complications" during the flight. US teen pilot detained in Antarctica during attempt to fly solo to all seven continents
