Senior School News & Events James completes solo flight on 16th birthday
James completes solo flight on 16th birthday
Many congratulations to year 11 pupil, James Fuller, who completed his milestone first solo flight on his 16th birthday recently. James has been flying for two years and hopes for a career either with the Royal Air Force or as a commercial pilot. The solo flight is a key moment in the path leading towards the Private Pilot’s Licence and, of course, completing it on one’s 16th birthday is significant too, as it is the first day upon which you can fly alone. James’s next hurdle (after his GCSEs of course) is his solo cross-country flight but he has more studying and a little more training to undertake first. “It will be quite tight to complete my whole PPL by my 17th birthday, but that’s my ambition,” says James. He undertook his maiden voyage at Compton Abbas airfield watched by proud parents, friends and family members as well as his housemaster, Chris Middle and his family. Compton Abbas airfield is very much linked to Clayesmore through Clive and Margaret Hughes who own and run it with their daughters, Emma and Laura, both of whom went right through from pre-prep to A-level at Clayesmore. All Clayesmore parents and friends are assured of a warm welcome in their popular restaurant only two or three miles from the school in a glorious spot – there’s always plenty to see, eat and drink!