Teenage pilot inspires Ballina students

A TEENAGE pilot who flew 42,000km around the world has urged Ballina students to pursue their passions after turning a battle with Crohn’s disease into a record breaking aviation journey.

Byron Waller, 16, was the guest speaker at the Student Aviation Careers Expo and spoke to students at Ballina Coast High School as part of the NSW Educational Pathways program.

Waller, who lives in Brisbane, became the youngest supported pilot to fly around the world in a light aircraft last year.

The journey took him through Europe and North America before crossing the Pacific and returning home.

He visited 19 countries in just over two months and spent up to 17 hours at a time inside the cramped cockpit.

In 2024, he also became the youngest person to fly around Australia while managing the chronic inflammatory condition Crohn’s disease.

Waller said speaking with students and sharing his experience had become one of his biggest passions.

“People coordinating the event reached out to us and they asked if we’d like to go down to Ballina and present to school kids and that’s a big passion of mine,” he said.

“Telling young kids about the aviation industry and showing them where I’ve come from to where I am now is really exciting.

“I was really sick when I started and now I’m able to fly and show other people that they can fly as well.”

The aviation expo introduced students to career opportunities in the aviation industry while giving them the chance to meet pilots and industry representatives.

Waller said his own experiences had taught him the importance of finding purpose.

“It’s all about showing people that if they’re in health situations or other sorts of situations, that they can find a passion, they can find a dream,” he said.

“And also, those people who just might feel a bit stuck in life … that they can explore a bit and find something they’re passionate about that they can put their mindset to and achieve.”

The journey required months of planning and preparation, with route and weather considerations adding to the challenge.

Waller said there were difficult moments along the way, but the experience left a lasting impression.

“It was pretty amazing being able to fly and see different parts of the world and experience different cultures,” he said.

“It reminded me that a bunch of people can come together and help you achieve your dream.”

“It’s probably the big life milestone that I’ll tell my grandkids about.”