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Teen Pilot Circles Australia for Charity
6 Apr
Summary
- A 17-year-old aims to be the youngest female pilot to fly solo around Australia.
- The journey supports the Little Wings charity, transporting sick children in remote areas.
- She will fly over 15,000km, landing at 25 airports along the Australian coastline.
A 17-year-old Australian student, Rose Donald, has commenced an ambitious solo flight circumnavigating Australia, with the goal of becoming the youngest female pilot to achieve this milestone. She departed from Essendon Airport in Melbourne on Easter Monday in a Cessna 172, embarking on a journey that will span more than 15,000 kilometers and include stops at 25 airports.
Donald's flight is a fundraiser for Little Wings, a charity dedicated to providing free transportation for young patients in remote regions who require specialized medical services. This initiative aims to address the significant healthcare disparities faced by rural families, who often travel long distances and lack access to essential medical professionals.
During her voyage, Rose will fly approximately four hours daily, traversing New South Wales, Queensland, the Torres Strait, Northern Territory, and Western Australia before returning to Melbourne. She finds solace and freedom in the quiet serenity of flying, enjoying the expansive landscapes from her cockpit.
Sponsorship from Little Wings and BP's aviation division has been secured, but Donald is seeking further business support to aid her mission. The charity highlights her flight as an inspiration, urging public support to help critically ill children in regional Australia access life-saving treatments available in major cities.
