Skip to content
Main fundraiser photo

From Patient to Pilot: Help Byron Inspire the World

Byron Waller is organizing this fundraiser.
Donation protected
Hi, I’m Byron Waller.
I’m a 15-year-old teen pilot with Crohn's Disease on a mission.

When I was younger, I was sick all the time. I missed school, sports, even birthday parties and Christmas because I was always in hospital or too unwell to get out of bed. In early 2024, thanks to Queensland Children's Hospital and Dr Balouch, I was finally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a lifelong condition that causes painful inflammation in the digestive tract. It explained everything, but it also nearly grounded my biggest dream: to become a pilot.

Flying wasn’t just something I loved. It was the one thing that got me going when I was at my worst.

See video:

Flying gave me hope, purpose, and something to fight for.

It’s always been my escape. It gives me a sense of freedom I don’t have on the ground. Just six months after getting diagnosed, I set out to do something most people wouldn’t dream of: I became the youngest person to fly around Australia, completing a 19-day flight in a small Cessna aircraft. I did it to raise awareness for Queensland Children's Hospital and kids like me.

I flew over deserts, dodged storms, navigated remote airstrips, met sick kids and their parents, and aviation legends on my journey. I realised something bigger than flying was happening. I realised my story was giving people hope and showing them what’s possible.

That flight changed my life. It turned what made me different into a launchpad for showing other kids what’s possible.

So What’s Next?
Well… Flying Around the World.

Now I’m working hard toward my next goal: to fly all around the world departing 2 August 2025. Not alone, but under the supervision of a flight instructor who will be with me in the aircraft for every nautical mile.

This flight will be about more than aviation. It’s about proving that even when life gets you down or gives you a diagnosis, you can still chase your dreams.....BIG dreams.

Along the way, I’ll:
- Visit schools, hospitals, Scouts, and airfields.
- Speak to kids and families about resilience, health, hope and healing, and chronic illness.
- Share my journey to show that limits don’t have to define your future

This isn’t just my journey - it’s yours too.

To make sure anyone can be part of this mission, I’m inviting kids, teens, schools, flight sim fans, and supporters everywhere to join my Simulator Challenge.

- Choose your favourite flight simulator (Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, Infinite Flight—whatever you love).
- Plan how many kilometres or stages you'll fly along with me. Make it your own challenge to start and finish, just like I am.
- Ask your family and friends to support your virtual journey by donating to this GoFundMe.
- Share your progress online. Tag @teenpilotdownunder to show you’re part of the team.

It’s not about how many hours you log, it’s about proving you can set a goal, stick with it, and help someone else fly their dream at the same time.

I Can’t Do This Alone.
I’ll need you to help me fly the message.

I’m raising funds to cover the basic costs of this mission - accommodation around the world, the salary and travel expenses for my flight instructor, fuel, maintenance, landing fees and permits, and communications. I don’t have corporate sponsors or a trust fund. I have people like you who believe in what this flight stands for.

Your support doesn’t just help me fly. It helps others believe they can too.

Thank you for being part of the crew, taking on your own challenge, and helping spread a message of resilience, health, hope and healing.

Fly with me. Dream with me. Let’s prove that limits don’t have to hold us back.

– Byron

#FromPatientToPilot
#TeenPilotDownUnder


Donate

Donations 

    Donate

    Organizer

    Byron Waller
    Organizer
    Highgate Hill, QLD
    Report fundraiser

    Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

    • Easy

      Donate quickly and easily

    • Powerful

      Send help right to the people and causes you care about

    • Trusted

      Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee