30 August 2016
18-year-old Australian Lachlan Smart has become the youngest pilot to fly around the world solo. He landed at at Maroochydore Airport last week to beat the previous set by American Matt Guthmiller.
Smart departed the same airport on Australia’s Sunshine Coast on 4 July, stopping in 24 locations and 15 countries on the seven-week flight, setting a Guinness World Record.
“The support I have received from family, friends, the local Sunshine Coast council and community and people around the world that I have never even met has been incredible from the first moment we spoke about this journey,” said Smart after landing.
“To actually be here, having flown around the world, for over 24,000 nautical miles is just a great relief. I can’t wait to spend some time with my family and sleep in my own bed.
“This trip wasn’t just the flight itself,” he continued, “it was creating a dream, building a team, raising funds and spreading the message of youth achievement to people all around the world. It has been an amazing journey and something I am very proud of.”
Ryan Campbell, the Australian who set the same world record when he completed Teen World Flight in 2013, was on hand to congratulate Smart.
