15-year-old pilot lands private plane in UAE, making history with round-the-world flight challenge

 15-year-old pilot lands private plane in UAE, making history with round-the-world flight challenge

A 15-year-old pilot landed a private plane in the UAE on Friday, completing a key leg of his record-breaking global flight.

Known as the "Australian teenage pilot," Byron Waller exclusively shared video footage with Gulf News of his landing at Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen Executive Airport. He said the UAE was an important milestone in his global journey, which will continue through Egypt, Europe, Iceland, Canada, and the United States before returning to Australia.

Byron departed from Brisbane, stopping in Singapore, Sri Lanka, and India, and finally flew from Ahmedabad, India to Abu Dhabi.

Byron has suffered from Crohn's disease since infancy, a chronic digestive system illness causing inflammation, abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, and fatigue. He once relied on a wheelchair to attend school. But the disease has not defined his life; aviation has become his passion and mission. "The global flight is to prove to young people that no matter what challenges you face, you can surpass yourself. Flying gives me hope, purpose, and a future."