Comhan Whitelaw-Jones, aged just fourteen years, achieved his first solo flight in August. Comhan, who lives in Kilmersdon village and is a pupil of Downside School, is the third junior member to achieve solo pilot standard at Mendip Gliding Club this summer.

Comhan took up gliding together with his father, Kenny Whitelaw-Jones, in September 2016. He has attended the club most weekends throughout the winter, spring and summer, and achieved his first solo flight after 45 training flights. Comhan said: “My first solo flight was the most amazing experience of my life. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.”

Instructor, Jeff Green, said: “Achieving solo pilot standard is an enormous achievement for anybody – to see a fourteen-year-old achieve this is remarkable. Becoming a solo pilot requires maturity, hard work and discipline. It is well-deserved.”

Fourteen is the minimum legal age to become a solo glider pilot. Training of junior pilots involves working through a very structured teaching plan, gradually learning more complex manoeuvres until they have been mastered.

Comhan’s ambition is now to progress towards his cross-country flying endorsement: “I know glider pilots who fly hundreds of kilometres all over the country, and I can’t wait to be able to do that.”

Proud father Kenny, said: “This is an amazing achievement, I am really proud of him. Although we started learning to fly at the same time, Comhan achieved his first solo in far fewer training flights than me – which shows it pays to start early!”