For many people, the sky is a symbol of freedom, adventure and discovery. But for 19-year-old Ethan Guo, it is more than that: it is a stage for a mission that goes beyond personal records. Guo, who flies around the world as a solo pilot in a 50-year-old aircraft, has set himself an ambitious goal.
His journey aims to raise one million dollars for research into childhood blood cancer at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. A story that impresses not only for its breadth and complexity, but also for the compassion and determination of a young man who wants to change the world in a unique way.
An extraordinary destination
Ethan Guo plans to fly around the world in 100 days, covering over 80.000 kilometers (50.000 miles). The goal of his trip is not only to become the youngest person to fly around all seven continents alone in a small plane, but also to send a symbolic sign of hope to children suffering from advanced blood cancer. His plane, an old Cessna 182, was specially adapted for the trip. Guo removed the rear seats to install an additional fuel tank, which will enable him to fly for up to 17 hours without stopping. With a cruising speed of 140 to 150 knots, satellite-based communications and several emergency transmitters on board, Guo is well equipped in terms of technology.
By September 10, 2024, Guo had already logged more than 700 hours in the air and crossed the Atlantic three times. He was in Switzerland at the time and had already visited all 48 contiguous US states. But this is just the beginning. Guo plans to travel to 60 countries in the coming months, including Egypt, India, Australia, China and Antarctica.
A personal drive: The inspiration behind the mission
The inspiration for this journey comes from Guo's personal life. His cousin was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma, which left Guo deeply devastated. The pilot says that he saw the disease gradually affect his closest relatives, including his grandparents and aunts, and this sparked a desire to do something to support cancer research and raise awareness of the disease.
"I want to inspire and help as many people as possible who suffer from this disease," says Guo. This personal connection to the disease has led him to combine his passion for aviation with a higher purpose: the fight against blood cancer in children.
The path to becoming the youngest world flyer
Guo's fascination with flying began at a young age. He first took flying lessons at the age of 13 and eventually obtained his private pilot's license at the age of 17. When he learned that the current record holder for the youngest solo round-the-world flyer was 19 years old, Guo set himself a clear goal: he wanted to break that record. But unlike many others who pursue records for their own sake, Guo linked his endeavor to a larger mission. He decided to use his record-breaking flight to raise funds for cancer research and thus help children around the world.
Preparing for such an undertaking was no easy feat. In addition to making technical adjustments to his aircraft, Guo had to plan a complex itinerary and ensure he could land in the various countries. His journey will not only take him across the Pacific coast and across numerous continents, but will also involve flying through challenging terrain such as Antarctica, which requires both mental and physical stamina.
Documentation and inspiration on TikTok
Ethan Guo documents his journey on the social media platform TikTok, where he has a growing following. With regular updates, he not only shares the challenges and experiences of his journey, but also speaks openly about cancer and its impact on the lives of patients and their families. "I want to challenge the impossible and push my limits to help more people be aware and better understand cancer," explains Guo.
This openness and tireless commitment have already earned him numerous supporters. As of September 11, 2024, he had already raised $37.870, but he remains optimistic about reaching his goal of one million dollars.
A symbol of hope and determination
Ethan Guo's journey is more than just an attempt to break a record. It is a shining example of how young people can use their passion and talent to make a positive contribution to society. Guo shows that it is possible to dare the impossible while helping others. His journey around the world will not only be recorded in the history books, but could also change the lives of many children suffering from blood cancer.
As he continues to travel countries and spread his message of hope, one thing remains certain: Ethan Guo is a role model of compassion, determination, and the desire to make the world a better place.
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