18-year-old Lachlan Smart, who hopes to be the youngest person to fly around the world in a single-engine plane, at a news conference in Pago Pago. Photo: RNZI / Fili Sagapolutele
A teenage pilot attempting to become the youngest person to fly around the world in a single engine plane, hopes to inspire other youngsters.
18-year-old Australian Lachlan Smart started his trip in Queensland on July 4, stopping in Nadi before arriving in Pago Pago, American Samoa, this afternoon.
Mr Smart said planning for the trip, which he calls 'Wings Around the World', began two-and-a-half years ago, and will cover 45,000 kilometres with landings in 20 countries.
He said his journey was not only about a trip around the world, but making a difference in the lives of young people.
At a news conference, he said he wanted to see more young people get out there and achieve their dreams and go for their goals as well.
"Because as a generation of young people, often we'll tend to get sidetracked and lose that motivation and self-belief and that's what stops us from achieving our dreams," said Mr Smart.
"I want to show that with a bit of determination, hard work, and motivation you can achieve anything."
Lachlan Smart departs for Christmas Island, in Kiribati, in two days.
