GENEVA—A Chinese American teen is striving to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents in an effort to raise funds for childhood cancer research.
Ethan Guo, who recently turned 19, embarked on his journey in May from Memphis, Tennessee. Making several stops and visiting seven countries, he arrived in Geneva on Tuesday before continuing on to Heraklion in Greece.
The goal is to cover 50,000 miles (80,000 kilometers) over 100 days, with stops in 60 countries. Guo aims to raise up to $1 million for cancer research, inspired by his cousin’s Stage-4 blood cancer diagnosis.
This led the determined teenager to collaborate with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
“We came up with the idea of … how we can work on this together,” Guo explained, “how we can make this world a better place.”
Although he has raised approximately $20,000 so far, Guo is confident that more donations will come in.
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A spokesperson for Guo shared an email exchange with an official at Guinness World Records Ltd. regarding the teen’s aspiration to be the youngest solo flyer to all seven continents. The London-based company has not responded to inquiries from the AP.
Guo began his flight training at 13 and obtained his pilot’s license four years later. However, insurance companies hesitated to cover a minor for such an adventure, causing a delay. He has accumulated 700 flight hours and flown to all 48 contiguous states in the U.S.
Speaking near Geneva airport, Guo revealed that only about one in ten companies he approached for sponsorship followed through.
His Cessna 182 plane is adorned with logos of various companies, and his progress can be tracked on flightagainstcancer.com.
Originally from Tianjin, China, and currently residing in West Palm Beach, Florida, Guo pursued piloting to challenge himself and envisions a future in business and tech, not aviation.
Although his parents expressed concerns and attempted to dissuade him, Guo proceeded with the project with support from volunteers, sponsors, and well-wishers.
He acknowledges the risks involved.
“Through my experiences—like an engine failure at the start of the trip … I was forced to confront the reality that I could face death at any point during the journey,” he admitted.
Guo has taken precautions such as equipping the plane with cold-weather gear for Antarctica, a survival kit for desert emergencies, and an inflatable raft for potential ocean landings.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared,” Guo confessed. “But every day, I reaffirm to myself. I say ‘This is what I believe in.’ (…) So I will persevere until the end.”
By Jamey Keaten
