# Byron Waller, Teen Pilot Down Under

> Byron Waller is a 16-year-old Australian pilot from Brisbane who in 2025 became the youngest person in history to pilot a plane around the world. He has lived with Crohn's disease since age 14.

## Key facts

- **Name:** Byron Waller
- **Born:** 2010, Brisbane, Australia
- **Record (2025):** Youngest person in history to pilot a plane around the world. Aged 15 at the time of the circumnavigation.
- **Earlier record (2024):** Youngest pilot to circumnavigate Australia, aged 14.
- **Award (2026):** Winner, Recreational Pilot of the Year, Australian Aviation Awards. Also Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year 2026.

- **Aircraft:** Sling TSi, registration VH-ZMD, single-engine four-seat composite aircraft, Rotax 915 iS, full glass panel, extended-range tanks.
- **Circumnavigation route:** Brisbane → Brisbane. 9 August 2025 → 15 October 2025.
- **Stats:** 67 days · 39 legs · 5 continents · 19 countries · 24,045 nautical miles (44,531 km).
- **Crew:** Pilot-in-command on every leg, accompanied by a qualified safety pilot (standard for under-18 record attempts).
- **Notability:** The arrival leg into Brisbane on 15 October 2025 was the #1 most-watched flight on Flightradar24 that day.
- **Health:** Diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 14. Flies as an advocate for young people living with invisible chronic illness.
- **Mission name:** Patient to Pilot. Operates publicly under the brand "Teen Pilot Down Under".

## What's next

- **Australia charity tour (2026):** National Teen Pilot tour visiting schools, hospitals and regional airfields.
- **USA charity tour (2026/27):** AOPA / EAA stops, broadcast features and cross-state activations.

## Press coverage

ABC News (AU), 7News, 10 News+, BBC, The Guardian, 1News NZ, EAA Inspire (USA), Australian Aviation, ABC Radio National, Brisbane Airport newsroom, FAI Air Sports.

## Sponsors

- Title sponsor: Psychologists & Counsellors Australia
- Fuel: Air BP
- Avionics: Cube Pilot
- Airframe: Sling Aircraft

## Sponsorship tiers

1. **Title Partner**, price on negotiation; aircraft livery, documentary co-billing, founder access.
2. **Australia Mission Partner**, from AUD $100,000; named tour leg or city stop.
3. **USA Mission Partner**, from USD $250,000; named tour stop, AOPA/EAA inclusion.

## Contact

- Sponsorship & press: ops@byronwaller.com
- Speaking inquiries: speaking@byronwaller.com
- Sponsor applications: ops@byronwaller.com

## Site map

- /, landing page
- /about, biography
- /journey, circumnavigation map and leg-by-leg pilot's log
- /destinations, full 39-leg table with first-person narratives
- /aircraft, Sling TSi specifications
- /watch, video library
- /press, press coverage and downloadable press kit
- /awards, awards, official recognition and letters of support
- /partners, sponsorship tiers
- /foundation, Teen Pilot Foundation, new Australian charity launching 2026
- /faq, questions sponsors and media ask most