A 16-year-old with New Zealand roots has flown into the record books, becoming the youngest supported pilot to fly around the globe.

Byron Waller – who has Kiwi parents and spent a lot of his young life here – buzzed around the world in 67 days, stopping in around 20 countries and territories.

The Queensland-based teen started and finished his journey in Brisbane.

He was accompanied by an instructor, but did all the flying himself, with some stints of up to 17 hours.

Waller spoke to 1News during the final leg back to Brisbane from New Caledonia.

“I wanted to do this just to show kids that their dreams are possible.”

Byron has been passionate about flying since he was a child but, before becoming a pilot, he spent years of his youth in hospital, with severe rashes and fatigue.

Last year, he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

“It feels weird to be able to do this, but also just to show people that their obstacles don’t define them.”

At 14, Byron became the youngest person to fly around Australia with an instructor.

While he loved being in the air, he told 1News he was looking forward to a bit more time on the ground.

“It’s gonna be good to get home, get to my family, get to my dog,” he said.

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