A Teenage Pilot’s Extraordinary Solo Flight Around Australia
A Melbourne teenager has made history by landing at her home runway, becoming the youngest female pilot to complete a solo flight around Australia in a general aviation aircraft. Rose Donald, who turned 18 during her 40-day, 15,000km journey, is set to become a world record holder while raising $70,000 for a charity that supports children from rural areas in accessing medical care.
“It’s pretty crazy, I’ll be honest. I don’t think it’s settled in yet,” Ms Donald shared with 9News from the Essendon tarmac on Saturday. “It’s been so incredible to see all the support, all the people who’ve come out to see me land, and just how behind the whole cause everyone has gotten.”
Ms Donald’s efforts have raised over $70,000 for the charity Little Wings, which provides essential transport for children from regional and remote areas to specialist medical appointments. The charity’s chief executive, Clare Pearson, highlighted the impact of the funds, stating they are enough to support 42 families in getting their children to necessary treatments.
Flight data from the final week of her journey shows that the 18-year-old typically spent three hours in the air per day, but some legs, such as the flight from Launceston to Mallacoota in Victoria’s far eastern tip, required five-and-a-half hours in the cockpit. The year 12 student, who is the daughter of a recreational pilot, landed her trusty Cessna on Saturday in blustery conditions and plans to catch up on school work starting Monday.
Before the final leg of her journey, Ms Donald described the experience as “an incredible experience” that was valuable for both personal development and growth as a pilot. “I’ve been living independently for over a month now, and over the time I’ve been away I’ve turned 18,” she said. “I’m coming back an adult, and I’m also coming back a lot more equipped for life beyond high school. I’ve also become a much better pilot … I’m a lot more confident.”
Little Wings assists children from New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory in accessing specialist medical care in capital cities. Since its inception in 2012, the charity has flown over five million kilometers and completed 2,385 flights last year. The organization’s pilots transport these children from their homes to urgent, often frequently required medical appointments that are only available at major hospitals.
“I’m glad I can do my bit to spread awareness around the country about Little Wings,” Ms Donald said. “By doing this trip, not only was I working towards something that’ll lead me into a career beyond school for myself, but I was also branching out into the community and being able to make a real difference to people. That was something that really kept me going.”
The charity’s marketing manager and Ms Donald often exchange updates, with the latter receiving photos of people who have started volunteering or donating to Little Wings. “I’m really proud that I’ve been able to do that,” she added.
Early in Ms Donald’s journey, the Little Wings chief executive expressed deep admiration for the young pilot’s talent and her commitment to using her mission to raise awareness for a good cause. “Little Wings is an organisation made possible by community, for community, and Rose is an extension of that concept of people helping people and making a positive change in the world,” Ms Pearson said.
While Ms Donald believes she will undoubtedly be a Guinness World Records holder when she lands, she acknowledges there will need to be work done behind the scenes to confirm her achievement. “I’ll have to submit evidence and see what comes back, but I’m fairly confident that by the time I land tomorrow I’ll know that I’ve done it,” she said.
When asked about the main motivation behind her journey, Ms Donald credited her community. “Aviation is such a supportive community. We’ve been willing to help one another and help younger people get into the industry, which is great. It’s really great to have people to talk to and not feel like you’re going through your training alone because it can get a bit tough sometimes.”
