(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Published: Thu Aug 15, 2024 5:41 pm
Last updated: Thu Aug 15, 2024 8:53 pm
For 19-year-old Ethan Guo, flying is not just a passion, but a mission. The young Asian-American pilot channels his love of aviation into a noble cause: raising money for pediatric cancer research and the treatment of cancer patients.
Guo is attempting to set a world record by becoming the youngest person to fly solo around all seven continents in a small plane. Along with the title, he also wants to raise $1 million by visiting hospitals and meeting young patients in nearly every country he lands in.
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“I would like to use every opportunity to raise awareness of childhood cancer and the need for increased research efforts to develop prevention and treatment methods. Children should not suffer from cancer,” Guo said.
“This journey has taken me to many places around the world so far. What I have learned is that people everywhere are really good and everyone I meet wants to make the world a better place to live. They are all trying to the best of their ability and together we can create miracles,” he said.
The teenager is currently in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of his ambitious fundraising campaign. His next destination is Doha, Qatar, where he will make a short stopover before landing in Dubai on August 19.
“The hospitality in Riyadh was simply incredible; the warmth and friendliness of the people here really touched me,” he said.
Now he is looking forward to his visit to Dubai. “(I hope to network) with the people of the United Arab Emirates, who I have heard are equally hospitable and helpful,” Guo said.
The epic journey
After departing Geneva, he planned a series of stopovers in nearly 60 countries in 150 days, a journey that covered more than 80,000 km. His stops included countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India and Japan, before crossing the North Pacific to Alaska, then continuing through Canada and the United States, and finally reaching South America and Antarctica.
Guo flies a modified Cessna 182 and has taken extraordinary measures to ensure his safety, such as removing the rear seats to make room for an extra fuel tank, which allows him to stay in the air for up to 17 hours at a time.
“The longest I’ve been in the air was eight hours from Canada to the west coast of Greenland. But from Japan to Alaska it will be a 15-hour trip in one go, which I’m looking forward to,” said Guo, who maintains a satellite link with his ground team and has three emergency transmitters on board.
The teenager’s passion for aviation began at the age of 13 and by the age of 17 he had already obtained his private pilot’s license and completed more than 700 hours of flight time.
His inspiration
Guo’s mission took on a deeper meaning when his cousin was diagnosed with cancer, inspiring him to use his journey to raise awareness and funds to fight this devastating disease.
“My cousin was diagnosed with blood cancer when he was 18. When I heard about it, I wanted to make a difference and talked to my parents about my plan to travel around the world alone and raise funds,” Guo said.
“I didn’t have my mother’s permission and it took me six years to convince her. But my father was very supportive,” Guo added.
With this venture, the young pilot hopes not only to set a world record, but also to make a lasting contribution to the fight against childhood cancer.
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