An Australian teenage pilot has touched down in Biggin Hill part-way through his bid to become the youngest person to fly around the world solo in a single-engine aircraft.

Lachlan Smart, 18, is now on an 11-day stopover in the UK after flying a Cirrus SR-22 plane into Biggin Hill Airport yesterday from the Azores, in the Atlantic.

He will resume his challenge on August 6, when he will fly to Cannes in the south of France as part of his eight-week, 24,000-nautical mile record bid, titled Wings Around The World.

Mr Smart's UK stopover will allow his aircraft to be serviced, while he explores his family's aviation links to Britain, with both his great-grandfathers having flown out of Biggin Hill during the Second World War.

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Lachlan Smart arrived in Biggin Hill as part of his UK stopover. (c.) PA WIRE.

He said: "The journey so far has been a roller coaster. There have been so many ups and downs. The weather is something that's been out of my control.

"There have been some great times, including flying over the Grand Canyon and the Mississippi River.

"I'm looking forward to seeing my aunts, uncles and cousins while I'm here, as well as doing some touristy things like seeing Buckingham Palace."

Mr Smart started his adventure on July 4 from Queensland, Australia, where he was brought up, and he hopes to return there as a record-breaker at the end of August.

He added: "I am just a normal kid from Australia's Sunshine Coast, but I want to send a message to all young people  that they can achieve their goals with hard work and preparation. 

"Many of our generation are missing self-belief and motivation."