Australian teenage pilot Ryan Campbell from Merimbula in New South Wales touched down in the Icelandic capital Reykjavik on Saturday to mark the halfway point of his around-the-world trip. The 19-year-old is aiming to become the youngest ever solo pilot to fly around the world, a record currently held by American Jack Wiegand.
Upon arriving in Reykjavik, he said he felt relieved to have successfully flown the 1334 nautical mile, nine-hour journey from eastern Canada. He described Saturday’s leg of the journey as his most challenging flight to date, adding that it took a little longer than expected.
Campbell explained that the first stage of the flight was pretty good and without thunderstorms, but as he flew further north he encountered some icing problems. He noted, however, that he expected that, before saying that he was now walking around Reykjavik at 10pm and it was still daylight, which he described as bizarre.
The next leg of the young pilot’s journey will see him fly 637 nautical miles to Wick in Scotland. He will then head to England, France, Greece, Egypt and Oman before heading over the Indian Ocean to Indonesia, via Sri Lanka, before the final leg of his trip to Wollongong in New South Wales.