160720 World Flyer 1
James Neiss/staff photographer
Niagara Falls, NY - Australian 18 year old Lachlan Smart is aiming to break a Guinness world record by flying around the world in a single engine airplane. Niagara Falls is one of 6 U.S. stops in his one-man journey where he recieved a key to the city from Mayor Paul Dyster during a press conference at City Hall. When asked if he named his plane Smart replied, "Officially my plane is named "Spirit of the Sunshine Coast," but I just call him Albert."
Press Release:
+61 413 641 979
From: Andrew Musgrove
Subject: PRESS RELEASE: Niagara Falls the last USA stop for Aussie teen flying around the world solo
Date: July 19, 2016 at 9:34:26 AM EDT
To: Andrew Musgrove
Cc: David Lyall
Inline images 1
Niagara Falls the last USA stop for Aussie teen flying around the world solo
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY:
An Australian teenager named Lachlan Smart is undertaking an audacious Guinness World Record attempt, which if successful, will see him claim the record as the youngest person in history to fly around the world in a single engine aircraft, solo - the very record currently held by the South Dakota born Matt Guthmiller.
After flying through everything from clear skies to storms, incurring a delay due to Hurricane Blas and a marathon 13 hour flight from Hawaii to California, Smart is scheduled to touch down in Niagara Falls, New York soon after 1.30pm today, which will mark the ninth of 24 stops on his global odyssey.
Smart will be holding a press conference at City Hall tomorrow, Wednesday July 20 at 12.30pm.
Contact/More Information Andrew Musgrove: +61 413 641 979 / andrew@sportscomm.com.au
Dear Media,
Tomorrow there will be opportunities for interviews, vision and images with Australian teenager Lachlan Smart after he touches down in Niagara Falls following the ninth leg of his round-the-world flight known as Wings Around the World. His trip commenced just over two weeks ago in the early hours of Monday July 4 in Queensland, a northern state of Australia.
At just 18-years of age, Smart is undertaking the trip of a lifetime that will see him join other Aussie adventurers such as sailor Jessica Watson and fellow aviator Ryan Campbell. Campbell was the last Australian to hold this very record before it was broken by the USA’s Matt Guthmiller, who in 2014 inspired a young generation of American aviators with his then record breaking flight.
For Smart, the motivation for taking on this gigantic task is to prove that age is usually just a number and shouldn’t limit aspiration. He comes from a modest, typically Australian family, and created Wings Around the World from nothing but an idea, a love of flying and a dream to show people that anything can be achieved.
Smart has a healthy sense of adventure with equal amounts of maturity, and is quickly emerging as a real thought leader for his demographic. He plans to launch a youth driven and focussed start-up consultancy next year.
So far Wings Around the World has seen Smart travel from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia to Nadi, Fiji, Pago Pago in American Samoa, with an overnight stop in Kiribati, before flying to Hawaii.
While in Hawaii, Smart made the safety conscious decision to delay his flight to Hollister, California, the longest leg of his round-the-world flight, due to the weather conditions caused by Hurricane Blas. It was a decision that exemplified his level-headedness and ability as a pilot.
When conditions eased, Smart took on what would be one of the most challenging legs of his flight. He departed Hawaii before sunrise on Tuesday July 12 and made a 13-hour voyage to the American mainland, where he touched down in Hollister, California with a few short hours until the last light of day.
Courtesy of his decision to delay his flight, favourable conditions ensured Smart was able to manage his fuel on this leg of his trip to the point where he still had more than five hours flying time in reserve after the marathon journey.
Currently in Nashville, Tennessee, the Aussie teen will be making Niagara Falls his final stop on USA soil, before flying to St. Johns in Canada. From there he will cross the North Atlantic to the autonomous Portuguese region of The Azores, before make his way to the UK. What follows is a long trip south back to Australia via Europe, the Middle East, and central Asia.
This is an opportunity not to be missed as Smart looks to put his name in the Guinness World Records, just as his youthful pilot contemporaries Campbell and Guthmiller did before him. Equally he will hope to inspire youth worldwide to chase their dreams.
Tomorrow presents an opportunity to for press to interview, get vision and photos of Smart.
Phone interviews are also available upon request.
DETAILS
When: Wednesday July 20, 12.30pm
Where: Niagara Falls City Hall, 745 Main Street
What: Australian teenage pilot attempting to become the youngest person in history to circumnavigate the world solo, in a single engine aircraft.
Who: Lachlan Smart
Andrew Musgrove
Account Manager, Sports Communication Australia
Ph: + 61 413 641 979
Web: http://www.sportscomm.com.au
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