Two weeks since he took off from the south of Western Australia, 22-year-old Hayden McDonald is creeping closer and closer to the country’s east coast.
Key points:
- Hayden McDonald is flying 14,000 kilometres solo around Australia to prove autism should not be a barrier to becoming a pilot
- The 22-year-old touched down in Broken Hill in outback NSW this week, two weeks into his journey
- He wants to dispel misconceptions around neurodiversity in rural and regional communities along the way
The adventurer from Esperance is attempting to fly solo around the country to squash the stigma surrounding autism for those wishing to work in the aviation industry.
He hopes his journey helps to break down the barriers for those in the air, but also those on the ground who he is visiting along the way.
Touching down in Broken Hill this week in his trusty J-120 Jabiru, the young aviator estimates the trip will take him two months to complete.
Mr McDonald plans to stop in at rural and regional communities and schools along the way to try and break down misconceptions around autism and neurodiversity.
“These kids are the next generation. They need to understand that, yes, that person is different,” he said.
“But this is no reason to bully, harass or put down those people because we are different.
“The main thing is to create understanding and acceptance of autism.
“It took me 10 years from diagnosis to understand and accept who I am.”
The 22-year-old hopes his feat of flying solo around Australia will also prove to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) that he deserves a chance to get a Class 2 medical certificate so he can apply for his dream role with the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
“[I’m] hoping this would help CASA to back off on the strictness a little bit without compromising aeronautical safety,” Mr McDonald said.
He said he was rejected because he had autism.
“The medical perspective is, ‘You are a burden’ … and, of course, we are not a burden, and I’m trying to change that,” he said.
Determined to blaze a trail for other autistic pilots, Mr McDonald is focused on circumnavigating the country.
“Opportunities may not come to you. You have to make them yourself,” he said.
“If there’s no opportunities, make one. That’s a little saying … that came into my mind when my medical was denied.”
Receiving assistance in software
The young aviator is not doing it alone. He has a number of supporters, including OzRunways, which is supplying navigational information through their software.
OzRunways marketing manager Alice Klingberg said the 22-year-old was ticking the destinations off his list one by one.
“It’s been a huge achievement so far,” she added.
“But like any big adventure this big, you’ve got to take everything one day at a time, otherwise you’ll get too overwhelmed.”
With thousands of kilometres ahead of him, Mr McDonald is keenly aware of the challenges he faces ahead while flying up the east coast of the country and across the interior back to WA.
But his steely desire to prove people wrong and his passion for autism acceptance and awareness will keep him flying.
“I may be autistic and, yes, there are challenges, but I would not change it because it’s part of who I am,” Mr McDonald said.
“Please do not treat us differently … we are undervalued, underemployed and overlooked.”
Mr McDonald’s journey can be followed on his website, Wings Without Barriers.
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