WHEN you are 10 years old and invited on to the flight deck of a Boeing 767 to make the 18,000 feet descent into Australia, it is bound to have an effect.

And for David Reeding it was no exception.

Now he has become the only person in Lancashire to secure a sixth form scholarship with the RAF - the best 18th birthday present he could have wished for.

His dream of becoming a pilot, born from the chance childhood experience, will now begin with a five-year training programme at RAF Cranwell this Autumn.

Understandably, he is flying high - and heading for Top Gun.

"It's awesome, a dream come true and the best 18th present I could have ever wished for," said David of Beechwood Drive, Feniscowles. "I am overwhelmed that I'll be training to be a pilot and hope one day to make Top Gun - flying anywhere in the world.

"The training could be for any three different aircraft; the rotary wing, multi engine or fast jet. There are places for lots of other positions but very few actually to be a pilot.

"It's taken lots of hard work, but from an early age I knew this was what I wanted. The hardest part was meeting the other candidates at interview as they all seemed outstanding. You just have to believe in yourself.

"Since Australia and my dad teaching me about planes, I've never wanted to do anything else."

David, a former St Bede's pupil, was awarded £1,000 toward costs in his final year of sixth form at St Mary's College and a five-year training programme. According to proud parents David and Sandra, his commitment has never faltered.

"We were invited on to the flight deck after I had got chatting with the air hostess about my work at British Aerospace," said David.

"We were there as he took us down 18,000 feet into Cairns airport - it was amazing. It is something that would never happen now because of security.

"David said he would never forget it and he knew from then that he wanted to be a pilot. We told him to go for it, despite the competition.

"He knew only a very small percentage of people who get through but we said you get nothing if you don't try. This scholarship is brilliant and we're so proud."

David, whose birthday was on Tuesday is currently studying A-Levels in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Geography and has scored straight grade As in his module examinations.

He has been a member of 1262 Blackburn Squadron Air Training Corps since he was 13 and is now at the rank of Flight Sergeant - spending most of his time instructing. David has already flown solo in gliders having won an Air League Gliding Scholarship and has also flown solo in a light aircraft.