Byron Waller's record is international and independently verifiable: an entry in the world registry of round the world flights, recognition from governments and hospitals on two continents, forum stages at the largest aviation gathering on earth, and coverage in fourteen countries. Nothing below rests on our word for it.
Two consecutive years on the AirVenture programme in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where roughly 600,000 people gather each July. Each slot is listed separately below.
The diagnosis, the hospital years, and the decision to fly. Second consecutive year on the AirVenture forum programme.
Route planning, permissions, weather and the 17.5 hour longest single leg over open water, told leg by leg.
Broadcast to the whole AirVenture site, the largest gathering in general aviation in the world.
Presented one week before departing Brisbane on the round the world flight.
Records the two 2026 forum sessions, the 17.5 hour longest leg, and the roughly 100 volunteers who supported the expedition.
Pre-departure feature setting out the route and the purpose in his own words.
First Oshkosh appearance, a week before departure.
These registries and operators have no connection to Byron and no interest in the outcome. They are the primary proof of the round the world flight.
The international registry of round the world light aircraft flights, maintained independently since 2000. Records Byron's Sling TSi VH-ZMD and identifies him as the youngest person to complete a round the world flight, RTW 2025.
Entry 710, 2025: Byron Waller, Sling TSi, VH-ZMD, westbound, northern route. Confirms the crew arrangement and the routing flown.
Airport operator's record of the arrival on 15 October 2025 at 12.46pm: 39 legs, 19 countries, 67 days, three instructors, an Airservices Australia rescue and fire fighting ceremonial escort, and the most-tracked flight worldwide on Flightradar24 that day.
Independent registry record of the aircraft flown.
Independent registration history.
Recognition from the Premier for making aviation history.
Ministerial recognition, and record of the meeting held in preparation for the world flight.
Queensland Children's Hospital's own recognition of Byron during the national flight flown in its support.
Byron opened the new gastroenterology ward alongside the Queensland Health Minister: a patient of fourteen years returning to open the ward that treats his own condition. Recorded in a Queensland Government ministerial statement.
National honour nomination for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards, recognising service to young people, aviation and the Patient to Pilot mission. Nominations for the Young Australian of the Year category are administered by the National Australia Day Council.
Recognition at the Society's 2026 awards for an expedition shaped by weather systems, international permissions and complex risk assessment.
Australian company registered 14 July 2026 to widen young people's access to aviation. Searchable on the ASIC register by ACN.
None of these letters are published online. Copies are available on request.
Letter of recognition — the Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Letter of recognition — the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon
Letter of support — the Hon Richard Marles MP
Letter of support — the Hon John-Paul Langbroek MP
Letter of support — the Hon James Meager MP
Letter of support — the Hon Sam O'Connor MP
Letter of support — Mayor Adrian Schrinner
Commanding Officer's Commendation and Flying Award, 2024
A sample only, not exhaustive. The full archive of roughly sixty entries is organised by region on the press page.
Led on the illness rather than the record. Records the Cambridgeshire servicing stop and that Byron completed schoolwork in flight.
Coverage of the record attempt, 3 September 2025.
Ahmedabad. Headlined on Crohn's disease rather than the flight.
Italy's national news agency. Sardinia stop, 1 September 2025.
Al Bateen Executive Airport, Abu Dhabi. Records that Byron attended school in a wheelchair during the worst of his illness.
Independent American aviation press account of the Oshkosh forum and the safety-focused approach taken to the flight.
The airport's own footage of the VH-ZMD arrival from the air traffic control perspective.
Indian airport authority marking the arrival on its official channel.
Live broadcast. Byron's segment from approximately the 20 minute mark.
International airshow feature, 2026.
Hospital recognition of the national flight, flown in its support.
Hospital broadcast service featuring Byron returning to the wards as a visitor rather than a patient.
Engagement with a camp programme for children living with chronic illness.
National children's news programme, 6 August 2025. Evidence the story reached the audience it was aimed at.
Contemporaneous account of the charitable purpose behind both flights.
Fundraising now runs through Teen Pilot Foundation Limited, from 15 July 2026.
Plenary speaker at the national convention of the regional aviation industry body.
Independent local reporting of the schools programme and its effect on students, 2026.
Second masthead covering the schools programme.
Long-form interview with the national aviation trade publication, November 2025.
Winner, Recreational Pilot of the Year 2026. Previously a finalist across three categories.
Industry profile, including his instructors' assessment of his flying.
Patient to Pilot; The Flight Plan; Wheels Up; Flying with Crohn's; Go / No Go; Flying into Headwinds; Mission Control; Flying with Purpose.
Byron's own account of the diagnosis and the national flight, ISBN 9781764082518. Includes the practical management of Crohn's disease in flight, meal planning, hydration and monitoring, which is the material other young patients use. A second title is in development.
Digital availability.
National broadcaster, 15 October 2025.
National broadcaster, 9 August 2025.
Pre-departure interview.
Free-to-air broadcast segment.
Free-to-air broadcast segment.
National breakfast television.
Free-to-air broadcast segment.
First domestic leg, 10 August 2025.
Approximately sixty entries organised by region across fourteen countries.
Letters and citations available on request · ops@byronwaller.com