THE first teenager to fly solo around the world in a single-engine plane will touch down at Rockdale next week.
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Ryan Campbell, 19, set off from Wollongong in June last year on his Teen World Flight to become the youngest pilot — and first teenager — in history to circumnavigate the world by flying a single-engine, piston-powered aircraft.
He flew 24,000 nautical miles, about 45,000 kilometres, in 70 days, touching down in 34 destinations in 15 countries on four continents.
He faced thunderstorms, ice and disputed air space and returned September 7.
Now 20, Ryan has published a book on his adventure — Born To Fly — and hopes it will inspire other young people to follow their dreams.
"I knew I wanted to fly when I was six," Ryan said.
"I put that into action at 14 and the first time I ever flew an aircraft solo was on the day I turned 15.
"By 18, I was able to fly around the world.
"I had no doubt that I would do anything else but fly.
"It was in my blood. It was what I was put here to do."
Ryan expects to be spending a lot of time soon in Sutherland Shire, when he moves to Como to be close to Bankstown airport and a new job.
"It's about being able to inspire young kids to give them a perspective of the world they don't see every day."
Ryan will talk about his adventure and sign copies at Rockdale Library at 6pm on Monday, July 28.
