Teen pilot makes aviation history at Brisbane Airport
Teenage Australian pilot Byron Waller has touched down at Brisbane Airport, completing a record attempt to become the youngest supported pilot to fly around the world in a light aircraft.
As he touched down, the flight was the number one most tracked flight in the world, according to FlightRadar24.
At only 16, Byron landed safely on home soil at 12.46pm and was greeted by family, his dog and supporters at Brisbane Airport, after travelling 39 legs across 19 countries.
Two tenders from the Airservices Australia’s Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) service provided a ceremonial escort for Byron's small aircraft as his journey came to an end, while Air Traffic Controllers gave him a special shout-out over the radio.
He now has to apply to Fédération Aéronautique Internationale to have the record ratified.
The trip spanned 41,700km over 67 days, with three flight instructors accompanying Byron on different legs of the expedition as he circumnavigated the globe.
Byron departed Brisbane Airport on 9 August 2025, aged 15.
At age 14, Byron became the youngest person to fly around Australia. He did it while managing a diagnosis of the chronic inflammatory condition Crohn’s disease.
Since leaving for his global expedition, Byron has missed celebrating his father and brother’s birthdays as well as his own, flying into Brisbane just in time for mum’s birthday tomorrow, Thursday 16 October.
Due to crossing the International Date Line, his 16th birthday lasted just 7 hours.
Byron has flown thousands of nautical miles in his Sling TSi aircraft (registration VH-ZMD).
The young pilot said he had set his sights on completing the record-breaking journey to prove big dreams are achievable even with significant health challenges.
“After years of health setbacks and a Crohn's disease diagnosis in 2024, it was a dream of mine to navigate some of the world’s most challenging routes and conditions,” he said.
“From the deserts of the Middle East to the icy plains of Reykjavík, I’ve seen more of the world than I ever thought possible.
“Even the toughest battles can’t ground a determined spirit.”
Byron’s mother Jeni Langdon said the family was proud of Byron’s achievement.
“Byron’s has not only demonstrated aviation skill, but also remarkable courage and resilience as he has circumnavigated the globe.
“After consuming two jars of Vegemite during his journey, no medical interventions and taking in some of the world’s greatest sights such as the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls, we’re happy to have him home.
“Our family has had countless sleepless nights while Byron has been soaring the skies and we want to thank everyone who has supported him on this groundbreaking trip.”
Byron is looking forward to returning to school, getting his driver’s license, and completing his Recreational Pilot Licence before progressing towards his Commercial Pilot Licence.
Brisbane Airport spokesperson Peter Doherty said Byron’s trip had captured global attention.
“First, Byron circumnavigated Australia, now he’s conquered the world. We can't wait to see what he does next. Byron has shared his passion for aviation with people across the globe who have followed his story live on social media.
“In 2028, Brisbane Airport will mark 100 years since Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his crew became the first to fly across the Pacific, landing in Brisbane. Byron is one of the very few who has experienced that vast journey across water in a small aircraft, rather than from the comfort of a modern jetliner.”
Itinerary:
#Stop From → To Distance (NM) Country (Departure → Arrival) Continent(s)
1 Brisbane → Roma 218 Australia → Australia Australia (Oceania)
2 Roma → Alice Springs 894 Australia → Australia Australia (Oceania)
3 Alice Springs → Port Hedland 643 Australia → Australia Australia (Oceania)
4 Port Hedland → Christmas Island 1,350 Australia → Australia (External Territory) Oceania / Asia boundary
5 Christmas Island → Singapore 590 Australia (Territory) → Singapore Asia
6 Singapore → Colombo 1,510 Singapore → Sri Lanka Asia
7 Colombo → Ahmedabad 925 Sri Lanka → India Asia
8 Ahmedabad → Abu Dhabi 1,040 India → United Arab Emirates Asia
9 Abu Dhabi → Ha’il 670 United Arab Emirates → Saudi Arabia Asia
10 Ha’il → Hurghada 670 Saudi Arabia → Egypt Asia → Africa
11 Hurghada → Heraklion 440 Egypt → Greece Africa → Europe
12 Heraklion → Palermo 560 Greece → Italy Europe
13 Palermo → Alghero 230 Italy → Italy Europe
14 Alghero → Perpignan 410 Italy → France Europe
15 Perpignan → Pontoise (Paris) 380 France → France Europe
16 Pontoise → Brighton City 175 France → United Kingdom Europe
17 Brighton City → Cambridgeshire 115 United Kingdom → United Kingdom Europe
18 Cambridgeshire → Ayr 280 United Kingdom → United Kingdom Europe
19 Ayr → Wick 195 United Kingdom → United Kingdom Europe
20 Wick → Vágar (Faroe Islands) 380 United Kingdom → Denmark (Faroe Islands) Europe
21 Vágar → Reykjavík 440 Faroe Islands → Iceland Europe
22 Reykjavík → Kulusuk 680 Iceland → Greenland (Denmark) Europe → North America
23 Kulusuk → Narsarsuaq 340 Greenland → Greenland North America
24 Narsarsuaq → Goose Bay 1,060 Greenland → Canada North America
25 Goose Bay → Baie Comeau 620 Canada → Canada North America
26 Baie Comeau → Québec 190 Canada → Canada North America
27 Québec → Niagara Falls 360 Canada → Canada North America
28 Niagara Falls → Jackson, MI 210 Canada → United States North America
29 Jackson, MI → St. Louis, MO 355 United States → United States North America
30 St. Louis, MO → Midland, TX 590 United States → United States North America
31 Midland, TX → El Paso, TX 200 United States → United States North America
32 El Paso → Grand Canyon 345 United States → United States North America
33 Grand Canyon → Torrance, CA 310 United States → United States North America
34 Torrance → Hollister, CA 235 United States → United States North America
35 Hollister → Kona, HI 2,075 United States (Mainland) → United States (Hawaii) North America / Oceania
36 Kona → Pago Pago, American Samoa 1,225 United States (Hawaii) → United States (Territory) Oceania
37 Pago Pago → Nadi, Fiji 720 American Samoa → Fiji Oceania
38 Nadi → Nouméa 680 Fiji → New Caledonia (France) Oceania
39 Nouméa → Brisbane 780 New Caledonia → Australia Oceania
To arrange an interview with Byron: byron@teenpilotdownunder.com
Support his fundraising effort: Fundraiser by Byron Waller : From Patient to Pilot: Help Byron Inspire the World
Follow his journey: TEEN PILOT DOWN UNDER