This is my attempt to express my gratitude and thanks to many people in far too few words. I could easily spend another six months naming individuals, sharing stories and personally passing on thanks to each and every person who played a part, big or small, in Teen World Flight, but that would take up more space than I have here. This is why I would like to explain what the word ‘we’ means to me.
Whenever I described anything about the flight – the planning, my experiences during the flight, its beginning or end – I have always used that word. We took off. We were relieved to have reached the coastline. We broke a world record.
I was often asked, ‘But it was just you in the plane, wasn’t it?’ Of course that is true in one sense, but though this was a solo journey it was in no way a flight taken alone.
My wildest dream, at first hidden by doubt and insecurity, was carried forward by people who gave me unending support, belief and encouragement. Without them my dream would have remained just that. Teen World Flight was a success not just for me, the solo pilot, but for thousands of others. Without the support of each and every person, from our sponsors to strangers who wished me luck while walking down the street, the flight would not have taken place and the objectives of Teen World Flight would never have been met. And so every single person, whether a member of the main team or a well-wishing member of the public, is part of that word ‘we’.
To Mum and Dad: I think we can all say that the journey of Teen World Flight was more complicated, stressful and worrisome than we ever imagined. There were challenges beyond our imagination but they were all successfully overcome. Thank you for your support, not only in my flying from the very beginning and Teen World Flight, but throughout my life. I promise the next challenge will be much more low key.
To Chris, Adam, Claire, my pilot mates, friends and family: as faces seen regularly, as influential peers of similar age, as pilots and most importantly as family and friends, you have all been phenomenally supportive of someone you know so well taking on something you might not have expected. I appreciate everything you have done so very much, and look forward to returning the favour in the future.
To Ken: well, what can I say? You took a young kid’s crazy idea and played one of the most vital roles in making it a reality. You were always there, the voice that gave support and reinforced belief when I decided it was all becoming too hard. It is near impossible to explain my thanks for what you have done for me. I am looking forward to any flying adventures we share in the future. (Just not solo or in a piston-engine aircraft over water, okay?)
To Dick Smith: beyond sponsorship, beyond advice and beyond kind words delivered both face to face and in public, you passed on something even greater. Your reply to my original email was an electronic form of inspiration and encouragement, reinforced when I first shook your hand and during each encounter afterwards. Thank you for your belief in my dreams and for your contagious, unhindered sense of adventure.
To Dave Lyall: Mr Right-Hand Man. Thank you for your initial interest in the flight, your generosity and flexible approach to my plans, your professional input and patience. Your team is fantastic, professional and easy to work with; thanks, Lloyd! Most of all, thanks for the good times and memorable laughs. Taco Bell tastes better at midnight.
To the team at Harlequin, especially Jo, Adam, Camille, Romina, Sue and Lauren, to my editor Jacqueline and first editor Dave: if you had told me when I swapped Advanced English for Standard English class during my Higher School Certificate that I would write a book, I would have laughed. Thank you all for your patience, encouragement and dedication towards improving my storytelling and correcting my spelling mistakes. Thanks to you all, I have written a real book.
To Selwa Anthony: I must thank both you and Linda for taking a chance on me. Your experience and encouragement have given me the spur I needed to take on the challenge of writing this book. Don’t be surprised if I drop around for another cup of tea and cake.
To members of the Frogs Hollow Aero Club: your support for Teen World Flight was beyond anything I had ever imagined, but in previous years your support went far beyond measurable. What I learned in flying different types of aircraft, the experience I have stolen and the good laughs I have had helped put me in a position to take on the flight. Thank you again, I look forward to plenty more Sunday afternoons at Frogs.
To David and Leanne Green, Andrew and Caroline Dance and the Lamattina family: the most vital piece of the puzzle was of course the aircraft; not just finding a machine that upheld safety standards, but getting one in a way that was feasible and fair. Then we were equipped with the Spirit of the Sapphire Coast, an advanced and safe aircraft that met every expectation we had and achieved the goal with relative ease. Without your support and generosity the puzzle pieces would not have fallen together at the very end. Thank you!
To Mike Gray and White Rose Aviation: dear ‘Uncle Mike’, on 7 September 2013 I arrived home. Not once did I see the inside of a jail cell, not one was I arrested and I am pretty sure I will be welcome back in every one of the fifteen countries I visited. Thank you for helping make this possible, and I look forward to an alcoholic beverage or two in an English pub.
The sponsors of Teen World Flight: from our principal partner Telstra to the local takeaway store that collected unwanted spare change, you are all phenomenal individuals, companies and organisations that took a step beyond interest in seeing Teen World Flight become a success. I wish I could share the story of every sponsor and the faces and friendships behind the logos on the aeroplane. Thank you for making my dream come true and for changing the lives of so many.
Uncle Charles and the 60 Minutes family: you all became more than a TV crew, we had a great time together and the program was a culmination of the moments we had together throughout the Teen World Flight journey. I still find it hard to believe I took a selfie with Charles Woolley while trying to survive a tuktuk ride through the streets of Colombo. Thank you!
I would like to thank the many experienced minds who offered advice and experience, whether as pilots, businessmen or anything else. This advice led to successful planning and a safe flight. I admire each and every one of you and hope in the future to give someone else the benefit of my experience as generously as you have given yours to me.
I truly hope that all of you have enjoyed the ride.
Ryan Campbell, June 2014