At just 17, Chloe Familton flew solo around Australia – covering more than 14,000 kilometres across remote deserts, unpredictable weather and breathtaking coastlines. We chat with the young aviator about her journey, the challenges she faced as a young woman in aviation, and her next big dream of becoming a fighter pilot.
Covering more than 14,000 kilometres, Chloe crossed remote deserts, chased incredible sunrises, and navigated unpredictable weather – all on her own. Each landing, each horizon, tested her skill, patience, and courage. More than a journey of aviation, Chloe’s adventure became a testament to resilience, freedom, and determination, showing that no dream is out of reach when you dare to chase it.
WHERE DID YOUR INTEREST IN FLYING COME FROM?
I have a family background in aviation. Grandad served in the Air Force as a navigator during the Vietnam War, so I grew up hearing his stories and always had an interest in flight. I was a Girl Guide for most of my childhood, and when I was 15, I attended a ‘Girls in Aviation Day’. I had the chance to have a 30-minute trial flight and my general interest turned into a full-on obsession. I still remember the feeling of taking off, looking out the window and seeing the ground become smaller beneath me. In that moment, I felt in my soul that this was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO GET YOUR PRIVATE PILOT’S LICENCE?
I started taking flying lessons in the middle of Year 10 and went solo for the first time that October. It took me just over a year to earn my Recreational Pilot’s Licence. From there, it took me nine months to upgrade it to a Private Pilot’s Licence. To achieve this additional licence, I had to be at least 17 and complete more training – specifically focused on air navigation.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT FLYING?
For me, it’s the freedom. There’s nothing better than being in control of your aircraft and seeing how your inputs affect the way you fly. It’s an amazing escape – you need to be 100 percent focused on your flying. I leave all my worries on the ground. On my solo flight, I found solace in the freedom I had in very remote areas of the country.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR SOLO FLIGHT AROUND AUSTRALIA?
During one of the [COVID] lockdowns, I heard about Zara Rutherford, a Belgian woman who flew solo around the world at age 19. Without much to do while being stuck at home, I followed her adventure closely and it inspired me to think about how I could challenge myself as a pilot, make a difference, and have an adventure of my own.
WHAT WAS THE MOST CHALLENGING MOMENT OF YOUR SOLO FLIGHT?
My greatest challenge was dealing with negativity because I was a girl. My flight generated some awareness, especially in aviation circles, and I had a lot of people messaging me to offer encouragement or advice. Most people were really positive, but I also received a significant amount of negative attention. There were some demeaning and inappropriate comments made online about me and my flight, and initially, I really struggled to cope with this. I found it particularly challenging as I was away from my family, instructors, and support system.
I overcame this negativity by surrounding myself with the people who love me. I was only ever one phone call away from my family at home. I also connected with others who reached out to me in a positive way, and it was through this community of people that I maintained confidence in myself throughout the journey.
WHAT WAS THE MOST BREATHTAKING SIGHT YOU SAW FROM THE COCKPIT?
Where do I begin? I absolutely fell in love with the remoteness and emptiness of Australia, and it was such a privilege to admire it all from the air. My favourite part of the flight was in the northern parts of WA. Making my way along the coast, I was struck by a beautiful combination – the water was a brilliant aqua colour, and the dirt was a classic outback red. Between the two was a thin line of white sand for the beach, and it was so gorgeous to watch this combination of terrain and colour snake its way down the coast with me. At one point, I deviated from a straight-line flight to fly around some of the peninsulas and reefs on my way to Geraldton. The only reason I didn’t spend more time taking in the beauty was because I needed enough fuel to make it to my destination! As I left early in the morning, I also saw some breathtaking sunrises.
WAS THERE A MOMENT YOU FELT PARTICULARLY BRAVE OR PROUD OF YOURSELF?
A few days before Christmas, I flew across the Nullarbor Plain and stopped to refuel at Caiguna – a tiny runway that more resembled a dirt patch. It was also the only place in hundreds of kilometres with reliable fuel availability. I had been advised to fly a low pass over the field to scare away any kangaroos or emus who may have been hanging out on the runway! That was my most technically difficult landing, as I didn’t have a lot of distance to land on, and it also happened to be extremely windy on that day. I went around (aborted my landing) on the first attempt and landed successfully on my second. I remember being very proud of myself and how far my flying ability had come in that moment.
WHAT PERSONAL INSIGHTS HAVE STAYED WITH YOU?
Even though I flew the plane on my own, it would not have been possible without the work of an amazing group of people behind the scenes. In particular, my instructor Janaya, who picked up my calls at a moment’s notice and was always there for me. The Australian Women Pilots’ Association were also incredible, offering me help and a place to stay along the way. And there were many pilots who helped me with local knowledge in the very remote areas. It was great to experience the strong support of community.
WERE THERE TIMES PEOPLE DIDN’T TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY IN AVIATION?
I experienced a lot of issues when I was trying to plan my solo flight, as some people didn’t take me seriously. They raised concerns about whether I would be physically strong enough to fly or move the aircraft around on the ground. This was really disheartening as it felt like these things were only brought up because I was a young woman.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOUNG WOMEN PURSUING MALE-DOMINATED FIELDS?
Go for it! On the outside, it may seem scary or exclusive and there’s a saying that ‘it is hard to be what you cannot see’. However, most people within these fields, male or female, are extremely supportive, welcoming, and encouraging, and when you are able to find a community that brings out the best in you, the sky really is your limit! Future generations of girls need more positive female role models in STEM careers, and you could be that change. Women only make up a tiny portion of Australia’s licenced pilots, so the industry is desperate for more females to come through and continue breaking down barriers.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO TEENS WHO WANT TO LEARN TO FLY?
If you’re looking for your first taste of flight, many flight schools at small, local airports offer trial flights where you can try flying a plane. They’re very comprehensive and will take care of everything you need to learn. There are a lot more young people in aviation than you may think. I quickly became friends with many other students who were studying at high school and university.
WHAT’S YOUR NEXT BIG ADVENTURE?
I was accepted into the Air Force as a pilot candidate at the beginning of 2024 (in fact, I started my initial training only a few weeks after completing my solo flight around Australia). This job has exposed me to so many new experiences, and my next big goal is to continue studying to fulfil my dream of being a fighter pilot! There’s a lot of work behind this ambition, and I still have several years of training ahead of me, but I’m confident that I can achieve it!
INTERVIEW: Sonja Hiscoe
This article was originally published under the title Above All in Issue 49. You can get this issue here to enjoy more mindful inspiration.
