Young pilot takes flight

A Brisbane teenager attempting to be the youngest person to circumnavigate Australia solo landed in Albany on Tuesday during the home stretch of his quest.

Alex Fisher, 17, took to the skies on June 21 aiming to log about 90 hours in his Skyhawk Cessna 172, covering a distance of 8000 nautical miles in an anti-clockwise direction across 50 airports, including Albany Regional Airport, by next Tuesday. His Flight of Solidarity is also raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, with whom he hopes to become a pilot.

Alex said he had been "absolutely amazed" by his flight.

"The scenery and people I have met have blown my mind," he said.

"It has made me realise how big Australia is and how generous Australians are.

"People have really got behind the cause, which has been great."

Alex has collected about $15,000 for the organisation, which has provided emergency medical assistance to rural and remote patients for more than 80 years, and said the response was overwhelming.

"I have nine collection tins completely full and a bucket of silver coins in the plane," he said.

"People have been so supportive … I am extremely happy with the donations."

To support Alex and the RFDS, head to flightofsolidarity.com.au.