Teenage worldrounder Ryan Campbell was welcomed back to Wollongong on Saturday by an enthusiastic crowd of onlookers.
The 19-year-old cruised into Illawarra Regional Airport in the Cirrus SR22 Spirit of the Sapphire Coast 70 days after leaving on his round-the-world odyssey. He is now the youngest person and the only teenager to have flown solo around the world.
Jubilant but exhausted, Campbell said the journey itself and the reception he received from thousands of well-wishers upon landing in Wollongong was overwhelming.
“Words can’t describe how I feel right now,” he said. “What began as a wild, crazy dream has today evolved into a reality following two years of hard work.
“Lessons in business, planning and fundraising were among many new skills I had to learn to get the project off the ground, let alone actually flying around the world.
“Without the support of my friends and family, my team, experienced aviators, industry professionals and my many sponsors this simply would not have happened.
“I am sure this record will be broken one day but I will always be the first ever teenager to successfully fly solo around the world and I am immensely proud of that.”
Campbell's route took him across 15 countries with 34 stops, covering 24,000 nautical miles, including last-minute diversions to Aqaba in Jordan to avoid the civil unrest in Egypt, and to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia thanks to avgas issues.
With the journey under his belt, Campbell is now looking to capitalise on his effort and use it to inspire young people chase their dreams also. Only two years out of school himself, he is planning a tour of schools in early 2014.
“When I was still in school I was inspired by the achievements of other young people doing amazing things,” he said.
“People like Jessica Watson gave me the courage to take on the challenge I have just completed and I want to be able to encourage young Australians to chase their dreams too.
“I am very passionate about educating young people about the pathways to becoming involved in aviation and if that is not their cup of tea, helping them look at ways to pursue goals in whatever their field of endeavour may be.”
Campbell knows the enormity of an undertaking such as this, and understands the need for corporate support.
“Obviously a national tour is going to require significant funding and I am hoping to partner with companies and organisations with similar goals and values to be able to connect and inspire the next generation of young Aussies,” he said.