Australian Teen Pilot Sets Record

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American Samoa is included in the global path of a successful quest by Australian teenager Lachlan Smart to become the youngest person to ever complete a solo circumnavigation of the world in a single engine aircraft.

Smart left  his homeland on July 4 and stopped in 24 locations and  15 countries along the seven-week odyssey to achieve a Guinness World Record.

American Samoa was the second stop on his journey,

The previous benchmark was set by American Matt Guthmiller who completed his circumnavigation when he was 19 years, one year older than Smart.‘

Smart arrived back in his hometowm to a welcome by a crowd of hundreds that included family, friends, official partners, government officials and the adoring public who have supported his journey.

“What a welcome,” Smart said on touching down.

“The support I have received from family, friends, the local Sunshine Coast council and community and people around the world that I have never even met has been incredible from the first moment we spoke about this journey.

“To actually be here, having flown around the world, for over 24,000 nautical miles (45,000km) is just a great relief.

“I can’t wait to spend some time with my family and sleep in my own bed.”

His aim was to inspire others, particularly young people, to chase their dreams.

He said, “This trip wasn’t just the flight itself, it was creating a dream, building a team, raising funds and spreading the message of youth achievement to people all around the world. It has been an amazing journey and something I am very proud of.”

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