A LANCASTER teenager is flying high after landing a solo flight in a Piper Warrior light aircraft for his 17th birthday.

Jonathan Smith's ambition to become a pilot is soaring after being given the chance to fly solo by his parents as a birthday treat.

Poor weather prevented Jonathan from taking to the skies on Tuesday but he is is on cloud nine at the prospect of flying the light aircraft at Blackpool Airport on Saturday morning.

The A level student at Ripley St Thomas dreams of becoming a commercial pilot for one of the major British airlines and recently attended a seminar at Cabair Flying School.

"I know the competition is very tough, but I'm determined to make my passion for flying into a career."

Jonathan has been mad about+ flying since he was ten and was given a trial flight as a gift for his 14th birthday. His father, Mike, explains: "Though a very expensive hobby for one so young, Jonathan saves every penny he gets in order to continue with his beloved flying lessons. It has become a little easier for him in the past twelve months since he gained part-time employment working at a fish and chip shop in Lancaster."

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