James Gains Silver Wings after First Solo Flight

Published on isbi School News dated Thursday 8th of January 2015

Old Swinford Hospital pupil James Kelly celebrated his 16th Birthday by completing his first solo flight, passing his air law exam with an excellent score of 94% and receiving his Silver Wings.

The assessors at the Westbeach Flight Academy, Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport, were so impressed that James had achieved all of this just one day after his 16th Birthday, the legal age to take a solo flight, they presented him with his Silver Wings. These are normally awarded with the Private Pilots' Licence which James is currently working towards, so he is hoping to pick up his Gold Wings when he finally receives his PPL.

James is currently in Year 11 and a member of the OSH Air Cadets. He started flying when he was 13 and hopes to join the RAF when he leaves the Sixth Form to fly either fast jets or cargo planes. His long term plans are to do 22 years' service with the RAF and then become a commercial pilot.

Congratulations James and good luck for the future.