Travis Ludlow sets off on round-the-world record bid

British pilot Travis Ludlow has set off on his bid to set a new world record as the youngest pilot to fly around the world.

Track Travis here!

18-year-old Travis – fresh from completing his A-level exams last week – took off from Wycombe Air Park (Booker) today. His first waypoint was flying over his school where pupils and teachers were having a ‘post A-level exams’ breakfast.

Then he’ll head off to The Netherlands to land at Teuge Airport, home of Hanger-One Technics & Avionics to say thank you for preparing and updating his aircraft, a 2001 Cessna 172R.

After that, it’s whirlwind of flights and stops across Europe, Russia, Canada, USA, South America, back up the US east coast before making the transatlantic crossing via Greenland and Iceland.

3500ft and on route to Teuge in The Netherlands, home of Hanger-One, the awesome aviation company that will be doing some final work on my plane before the rest of my trip.
Thank you Pooley’s for my life best, life raft, and all the other vital equipment you have supplied! pic.twitter.com/sgD0WYuPS1

— aroundtheworldsolo (@aroundt60695534) May 27, 2021

To beat the current world record, Travis has to return home by 25 July 2021. You can track the flight via his website here.

The flight was originally due to take place last summer but the Covid pandemic put paid to that. He’s also had issues with his original aircraft, a Piper PA-28, but Hangar One stepped in to help with the 172R.

Routing and trip support will be assisted by General Aviation Support Egypt – GASE who have been working with Travis since 2019.

“We will of course be part of his team, supporting him in various parts of the world and 24/7 from our home bases,” said Eddie Gould, general manager and founder of GASE.

“Our partners at MAK Aviation Services, led by our old friend Evgeny Kabanov, will be Travis’s support in Russia and we know that through most of the United States he will get some great support from friends and followers.”

Travis has been flying since he was 12. He became the UK’s youngest glider pilot at 14 and the youngest certified PPL pilot at 17. On the morning of his 17th birthday he picked up his licence from the CAA, and flew to the US the next day to do his (IR) Instrument Rating.

Travis Ludlow: Around The World Solo