Solo around Australia

[red750]

Seventeen year old year 12 student Rose Donald landed at Essendon Fields today to complete a solo round Australia flight in her Cessna 172 raising money for Little Wings, a charity providing air transport for country kids requiring medical treatment, and building hours towards her commercial pilot's licence. She has sent documentation of her trip to the Guinness Records organisation to claim the record for the youngest female to complete the trip solo.

 

[skippydiesel]

This would be a great challenge for a group of RAA class pilot/aircraft to do (not suggesting that GA pilot/aircarft, of similar performance should not participate).

 

Safety in numbers. Collaborative planning. Possible cost reductions for bulk purchases eg accommodation. All round FUN??

 

Anyone interested?

 

😈

[Moneybox]

2 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

This would be a great challenge for a group of RAA class pilot/aircraft to do (not suggesting that GA pilot/aircarft, of similar performance should not participate).

 

Safety in numbers. Collaborative planning. Possible cost reductions for bulk purchases eg accommodation. All round FUN??

 

Anyone interested?

 

😈

 

Yes I'll tag along but I think I'll be joining at the halfway point 😉. Just wait until I get the 912ulf installed or you'll be leaving me behind.

 

After thinking about it for a minute, we could leave at the same time and land together at The Oaks.

Edited May 17 by Moneybox

[facthunter]

Flying as a group, while you are in the Air is Not particularly safe. Nev

[skippydiesel]

3 hours ago, Moneybox said:

 

Yes I'll tag along but I think I'll be joining at the halfway point 😉. Just wait until I get the 912ulf installed or you'll be leaving me behind.

 

After thinking about it for a minute, we could leave at the same time and land together at The Oaks.

Some off the cuff thoughts;

 

Seems to me that "joining" could be agreed rendezvouses along the track or a single point.

• Along the track, may mean that some pilots would have a lonely trip home, from where they leave the group.
• Single point may be just as bad.

Differing economy cruise speeds - could be accommodated by staggered departure times.

 

Keep in radio communication (when/where safe to do so) on 123.45.   Regular aircraft condition/location (reference to ground features & any changes to cruising altitude)

 

The point of the exercise would be to end each day at the same landing point. If needs be,  help each other out.

 

We would need some sort of emergency plan for illness/injury.

😈

[Student Pilot]

"Little wings charity"? Is that Angel flight? If not is there room for two top heavy charities? Is Angel flight still going with the raffle debacle and all the fatal bad weather accidents? 

[onetrack]

SP - FYI ....

 

Little Wings:

 

Who they help: Exclusively focuses on seriously ill children and their families.

Location footprint: Operates primarily throughout New South Wales (NSW), the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and Queensland (QLD).

What they provide: They fly out of 55 regional locations and offer an integrated "plane-to-ward" ground transport service.

How to access: Typically requires a formal referral from medical staff at cooperating children’s hospitals. Website - www.littlewings.org.au

 

Angel Flight Australia:

 

Who they help: Serves patients of all ages—both adults and children.

Location footprint: Operates Australia-wide, connecting rural patients nationwide to specialist medical care in urban centers.

What they provide: Coordinates an extensive national network of volunteer pilots and volunteer drivers (often called "Earth Angels").

How to access: You can coordinate directly through the Request a Flight portal on their website - www.angelflight.org.au

 

Edited May 17 by onetrack

[onetrack]

Skippy, your planning for such a venture should also include fuel availability, meals bookings, and accommodation, as required.

[facthunter]

Have you guys done this sort of thing, Before?  You would be better to stagger your arrivals. You have to be sure you know where everyone is along the way. It's extra risk and effort..Nev

[Moneybox]

If you are not careful you'll turn an adventure into an organised event. Where's the fun in that?

[onetrack]

The rural and remote areas will probably be very keen to see some travellers in this current travel gloom. I'll wager they're seeing a substantial drop in traveller traffic.

I've heard reports of up to a 25-30% drop in rural and remote area travel and accommodation, due to the major cost burden of fuel prices.

 

Another factor is the possibility of including a pass over Lake Eyre, which is apparently close to 80% full at present, with the possibly of it being 90% full by the end of June.

Many 4WD roads (Strzelecki and Birdsville) are still under "caution" driving conditions in the Channel country and Northern S.A.

 

Edited May 17 by onetrack

[Student Pilot]

The "once in a lifetime" chance of seeing Lake Eyre full that happens every 5 years 😁

[JMLIS]

I have done quite a bit of that type of travel over the years with just my aircraft. That makes it easy, if you like a place you can stay an extra day or two, and don't arrange the next nights accommodation until the day before you need it. Always with pickup and return. A group flight will require much organisation, especially around accommodation for multiple people and different aircraft (and pilot) performance and reliability. I have enjoyed that type of trip too, but really admire the perseverance of the organizer!

[BurnieM]

10 hours ago, Student Pilot said:

The "once in a lifetime" chance of seeing Lake Eyre full that happens every 5 years 😁

Well it used to be and if you average it out it probably still is.

More rain in the outback is a good thing.

 

Only problem is fuel trucks may have problems getting to remote aerodromes so check , check and check again.

 

[skippydiesel]

18 minutes ago, BurnieM said:

Well it used to be and if you average it out it probably still is.

More rain in the outback is a good thing.

 

Only problem is fuel trucks may have problems getting to remote aerodromes so check , check and check again.

 

Seems to me that fuel availability would be one of the "limiting" factors ie only go where fuel is available.

 

As with the weather, airfield serviceability - check & check again - who wants to be caught out?

 

I would anticipate this being a VFR only activity, so flexibility on time/duration would be a must.

 

😈

[facthunter]

Wind Rain Hail Dust Willy willys, animals damaging your little bird. Water shade and clothing EPIRB.  Food Poisoning, dehydration. Planning and Management of a high order required , especially in the More remote areas, Nev

[BrendAn]

On 17/05/2026 at 1:55 PM, Moneybox said:

 

Yes I'll tag along but I think I'll be joining at the halfway point 😉. Just wait until I get the 912ulf installed or you'll be leaving me behind.

 

After thinking about it for a minute, we could leave at the same time and land together at The Oaks.

don't think the extra power will do much except better climb and takeoff roll. top speed won't increase much with that airfoil.

got 10 weeks to go til i bring my zodiac home. whats your cruise speed mb. mine is a taildragger so a bit less drag.

[red750]

Here we go again, led off the track of the original post. There is a Trips/Events/Seats forum. start a topic there.

[Moneybox]

14 hours ago, red750 said:

Here we go again, led off the track of the original post. There is a Trips/Events/Seats forum. start a topic there.

I don’t see the problem. Skippy started a thread “Solo around Australia”.

I responded saying I’d join him but I might have to add power to keep up.

BrendAn replied to say that it wouldn’t help much.

Seems to me we’re discussing “Solo around Australia”?

[red750]

The topic was about the efforts of a teenage schoolgirl and her quest for a world record in the Guinness Book of Records.

[BrendAn]

23 minutes ago, red750 said:

The topic was about the efforts of a teenage schoolgirl and her quest for a world record in the Guinness Book of Records.

She is 18 , does she still qualify as a teenager 

[BurnieM]

12 minutes ago, BrendAn said:

She is 18 , does she still qualify as a teenager 

For at least another year 🙂 

 

[Moneybox]

1 hour ago, red750 said:

The topic was about the efforts of a teenage schoolgirl and her quest for a world record in the Guinness Book of Records.

Ok, I guess we did stray a bit 🙃

[Love to fly]

On 20/05/2026 at 12:38 PM, red750 said:

The topic was about the efforts of a teenage schoolgirl and her quest for a world record in the Guinness Book of Records.

Jennifer Hunt circumnavigated Australia solo in her Petrel last year. At 15. The youngest to do so. Rose is the youngest female in a VH registered aircraft. 

Edited 3 hours ago by Love to fly
Typos

[skippydiesel]

Jennifer's parent flew with her in an other aircraft. Commendable but solo???

 

I think Rose might have done the job on her own.😈