Tasmanian Oliver O’Halloran, just 17 years old, is a week into his three-week attempt to become the youngest pilot to fly solo around Australia.
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Wild weather across the east of Australia grounded him on the Gold Coast for two days, but he made the most of breaking weather on Saturday to continue his flight north to the Sunshine Coast.
“It has been going smoothly so far other than the weather we got a fair bit done in the first four days but ever since I’ve been stuck in the Gold Coast behind this weather,” Oliver said.
“We’re running a bit behind, it doesn't really have an effect on anything it’s just organising everything and trying to move it all back.”
He passed the eastern-most part of Australia this week when flying over Byron Bay, to achieve the record he must pass the most eastern, northern, western and southern points of Australia.
As anyone who has been on a long trip knows, driver fatigue is an issue but Oliver said he hasn’t had any trouble staying alert behind the controls.
“I find that when you’re so busy you don't tend to get tired until you're on the ground and you get to your accommodation and just fall asleep … there’s a lot going on and you just keep everything in order,” he said.
Oliver has been overwhelmed with the response he has received on his stops so far.
“It’s been amazing, I had no idea that so many people had heard about the flight, every stop there’s been at least five or six people there that have just greeted me,” he said.
“I didn't realise how much of an impact it’s had on the community, which is pretty cool.”
Oliver’s days start early, he gets into the air as early as he can and aims to be landing at his destination by mid-afternoon.
“Especially up north ... the heat makes a lot of thermals and causes a bit of turbulence, it’s purely just a comfort thing we can still fly but it just means it’s better for me endurance wise,” he said.
You can follow Oliver’s journey and pledge your support at solo17.com.au or on Facebook.