Sunshine Coast pilots have welcomed and celebrated a 17-year-old solo aviator.
Advanced Flight Theory (AFT) is a specialised aviation theory school based at the Sunshine Coast Airport.
AFT recently celebrated its 30th year and trains a high percentage of Australia’s Airline Pilots to Air Transport Pilots Licence (ATPL) level, which is the highest qualification a pilot can hold.
They are thrilled that Chloe Familton, the 17-year-old aviator circumnavigating Australia as a solo pilot, has chosen AFT to welcome her on the first overnight stop on the 7600nm journey around Australia.
Chloe is excited to be setting out on her record-breaking flight, to be the youngest woman to circumnavigate Australia solo in a light aeroplane.
She is proud of her remarkable aviation achievements at only 17 years of age.
“I feel so blessed to have been able to follow my passion at such a young age, to reach new literal and metaphorical heights,” she said.
Chloe’s journey will raise awareness and funds for the charity, A Start in Life, an organisation providing support for students under 25 years of age who experience financial barriers to achieving their educational potential.
She is enthusiastic to support other young Australians to achieve their goals and says she values the mission of A Start in Life.
“It is a small Australian charity who believe that young Australians without life’s necessities deserve a brighter future,” she said.
Chloe departed her home base, Blue Sky Airways at Cessnock Airport early morning on 13 November, stopping for fuel in Port Macquarie before arriving at the Sunshine Coast Airport around 3pm.
Her flight instructor and mentor, Janaya Di Pietro, is a previous AFT student herself and recently visited AFT with Chloe to introduce her to the AFT team.
Vanessa Adamson, AFT Operations Manager, has been delighted to follow Chloe’s progress in the lead up to the record-breaking project.
“We can’t wait to greet Chloe at the completion of her first flying day, our AFT family loves to celebrate the achievements and milestones of past, present and future students,” Vanessa said.
Follow Chloe’s journey at chloefamilton.au
