Teenager takes to the skies in record time (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Teenager takes to the skies in record time

A TEENAGER from Ashton Keynes is setting his sights sky high after completing his pilots licence in record time.

Dan Mobley gained his PPL licence in just 45 hours and 10 minutes, which is just over the minimum time required.

His instructors at BCT Aviation, based at Kemble Airfield, are astounded with the 18-year-old's achievement.

Rodger Barrell was one of Dan's teachers, he explained most pilots gain their PPL after 55 to 60 hours flying.

He said: "Dan learnt very quickly, it's possible to do it in that time if you do it in five weeks start to finish but to do it in over the two years like he did, it's excellent."

Dan, who lives in Ashton Keynes, got hooked on flying before he could even hold a provisional driving licence.

He explained: "I started just before I was 16. I always used to love going on aeroplanes when I went on holiday and then I got the opportunity to do it. My parents got me a flight for Christmas and I got hooked."

Dan admits now he has his licence to fly solo his mates are planning some big trips for the summer.

"Now I've passed they all want flights with me," he said. "They've started planning to go to places like the Isle of Wight, anywhere with a beach really."

After his first taster lesson Dan started working at BCT doing everything from cleaning planes to making cups of tea in return for more lessons.

The pilots and instructors admit they are going to miss Dan when he leaves to go to Loughborough University in the autumn. He is set to study Transport Management with the hope of one day becoming a proffesional airline pilot.

He said: "I feel really lucky when I'm flying because I get to see stuff that very few people get to see. I would love to fly business jets, that would be ideal because you get to fly into lots of small, local airfields."