My next adventure....to become the youngest person to fly solo around the world and the first person to sail and fly solo around the world

I have always wanted to fly so when Cabair flight school offered me the chance of getting my pilot's licence, I leapt at it.

Doors are now starting to open to make this adventure possible and if everything comes together in time I hope to be off next summer.

Circumnavigating the globe in a small plane is the ultimate flying adventure. The planning and logistics required for such a trip is hugely challenging. Studying the weather systems en-route and dealing with worldwide bureaucracies and regulations are quite daunting. No other single aviation event is this rich in content and equally multi-faceted. The flight will prove to be mentally and physically gruelling, in climatic extremes, placing high demands on me and my aircraft.

The record must comply with Federation Aeronautiqe Internationale, (FAI).

The flight must start and finish at the same aerodrome, crossing all meridians and be not be less that 19,864nm (equal in length to the Tropic of Cancer).

I will be visiting 18 countries and expect to fly around 25,000 miles over three months. I am really looking forward to meeting people from so many different cultures.

I has seen first hand the enormous difference adventures like this can have on other people. I have a stack of emails saying how inspired they have become after following my voyage around the world. I am previlaged to be able to visit schools and see so many young people engaging with what I have to say. I love taking questions and to see a sea of hands in the air is just amazing.

If only more people of my age realised they too could live their dreams, that would be really good. Nothing is impossible if you want it enough. I come from land locked Potters Bar, yet I managed to sail around the world.  I still need to raise considerable sums of sponsorship, so if you know of anyone or company who might like to be involved, please get in touch.

I have kept a diary of my flying lessons.  Please click here. 

ITN News 23rd July 2010

BBC News 23rd July 2010