Meet Lachlan Smart – The Aussie teen who becomes youngest pilot to fly solo around the world!

Melbourne: An 18-year-old Australian man has become the youngest person to fly solo around the world in a single- engine aircraft, completing the 45,000-kilometre trip in almost two months.

Lachlan Smart, who is 18 years, seven months and 21 days, touched down his Cirrus SR22, at Sunshine Coast Airport at Marcoola on Saturday.

During his voyage, Smart stopped in 24 locations, 15 countries and covered more than 45,000 kilometres.

With this feat, Smart beats the previous benchmark set by American Matt Guthmiller who completed his circumnavigation when he was 19 years, 7 months and 15 days.

But, the journey was not all that smooth for Smart, with dangerous weather conditions, lack of support from airport staff and the language barrier hindering his progress.

He also encountered heavy storms over the Pacific and a hurricane between California and Hawaii delayed him for 24 hours.

But he said 'there was not anything he could not overcome'.

Smart, who arrived at Maroochydore Airport about 7.30 am on Saturday morning, was greeted by a crowd of hundreds, including his friends and family.

(With PTI inputs)