A 17-YEAR-OLD Caldicot pupil is flying high after qualifying as a pilot in just two years.

Jonathan Downing, who attends Caldicot School, unusually learned to fly an aircraft solo before learning to drive.

After two years of flying lessons and clocking up more than 60 hours’ flying time he gained his Private Pilot’s Licence at Bristol Airport.

Mr Downing took seven written exams that included aviation law, meteorology and practical communications before being awarded his wings.

The ten A*/A grade GCSE pupil who is currently studying A-level maths, chemistry and physics, said his passion for flying began seven years ago when he bought a flight simulator for his computer.

He said: “Over the next five years I gradually gained a basic knowledge of the principles of flight and I would often demonstrate new skills to members of my family.”

A family member bought him a flying lesson as a Christmas present and inspired him to take lessons.

“Two years on, 60 flying hours under my belt, I took my licence skills test and passed. My examiner, Mark Bills, commented that I was ‘…well up to commercial pilot standard and only 17, too’.”

Mr Downing is hoping to study physics at Bristol University.