From flying around Australia to flying around the World: A Teen’s Mission of Hope.
My Story
The Challenge of Illness
My story begins not in the cockpit of an airplane, but in the hospital room of Queensland Children's Hospital. I was frequently in hospital since it opened in 2014 before being diagnosed with a Crohn’s Disease in February 2024 after I spent countless days and nights under the care of my dedicated medical professionals. These challenges were immense, yet within them, I found reservoirs of resilience and hope.
Lessons Beyond Medicine
During my extended hospital stays, I received more than just medical treatment; I experienced a world of learning and growth. The hospital staff nurtured my curious mind through educational programs, and therapeutic art and music sessions played a pivotal role in my emotional well-being.
The Dream Takes Flight
One pivotal day, a visiting adventurer spoke at the hospital about the wonders of exploring as she kayaked around Australia. Her stories of paddling through insurmountable waves and exploring the vast waters ignited a new dream in my heart – to embark on a similar journey, but in the skies. This dream gave me a new purpose and a goal to strive towards during my recovery.
Gaining Wings
With determination and the unwavering support of my medical team, my health improved significantly. As my physical strength returned, I also developed remarkable skills such as problem-solving, perseverance, empathy, and communication, all shaped by my hospital experiences and interactions.
Preparing for the Adventure
Once I was well enough, I began taking flying lessons. My instructors were amazed at how quickly I learned, attributing it to the focus and resilience I honed during my time in the hospital. With each lesson, my confidence soared, along with my dream of flying around Australia. Living with Crohn's disease presents formidable challenges, requiring me to harness deep resilience and maintain consistent, proactive management of my health to navigate its complexities of this disease, all while learning to fly, go to school, eat and sleep really well, and still be a teenager.
More Than a Flight
This journey isn't just my personal adventure; it's a tribute to Queensland Children's Hospital and the people who helped me find my wings. I dedicate this flight to the hospital, aiming to raise awareness and funds to support other children facing similar challenges.
The Horizon Beckons
As I prepare to take to the skies, my story stands as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the incredible strength of the human spirit. From a patient to a pilot, my journey is not just about the distance covered, but about the heights of human potential and the power of dreams.
A Continuing Journey
My flight is just the beginning. I plan to continue my advocacy for children with illnesses, using my story to inspire and support others. My journey from the halls of Queensland Children's Hospital to the vast Australian skies is a powerful narrative of courage, hope and the unyielding power of dreams.
Beyond Australia: A Global Mission
Now, the horizon stretches even further. With my Australian journey complete, I am preparing for my next great adventure — a supported flight around the world, landing on all seven continents. This new mission carries the same spirit of hope, resilience, and determination that guided me through my toughest days. Through every takeoff and every landing, I will continue to raise awareness for children's healthcare worldwide, inspiring young people facing their own battles to believe that no dream is out of reach. The sky is not my limit — it’s just the beginning.
Our Team
Byron Waller - Pilot
I’m Byron Waller, a 15-year-old pilot from Queensland living with Crohn’s disease. I’ve spent more time in hospital wards than most kids spend on holidays. But from a young age, I looked up—literally. Planes gave me hope. While I couldn’t always run, I dreamed of flying.
At 14, I turned that dream into action, flying a small aircraft around Australia to raise awareness for Crohn’s and support the Queensland Children’s Hospital. That journey taught me something powerful: your limits do not define you, your courage does.
Now, I’m preparing for my next mission. At 16, I’ll fly around the world, continuing to inspire kids facing medical battles and showing them that nothing is impossible when you believe, persist, and have the right support. My goal is not just to fly far, but to reach hearts and prove that even from a hospital bed, you can rise.
Rod Flockhart - Instructor
I’m Rod Flockhart, and aviation has been at the heart of my life for over 40 years. From flying commercial jets as an Airline Training Captain to building FlightScope Aviation from the ground up, my mission has always been the same: to prepare pilots not just for the skies, but for the real world that aviation demands.
I’ve seen how a cockpit can change someone’s life. That first takeoff, the quiet confidence in handling turbulence, the moment a student realises they are truly flying—it’s more than skill; it’s transformation. That is why I created FlightScope Aviation. We train with purpose, focusing on hands-on experience, high standards, and a deep respect for the responsibility that comes with flight.
Beyond the airlines, my love of flying extends to aerobatics. There is nothing quite like rolling a plane inverted and watching the horizon flip. It sharpens your senses and your decision-making like nothing else. It is not just adrenaline; it is precision, trust in your training, and absolute focus.
Today, mentoring the next generation, like Byron Waller, is not just work. It is personal. Because when you train a pilot, you are not just teaching checklists. You are building courage, discipline, and the ability to rise under pressure.
Check out Rod’s aerobatic journey here: