High-flying Deepings schoolboy, 16, becomes Britain's youngest qualified glider pilot

Charlie Lumb can now soar solo through the skies at speeds of 120mph despite not being old enough to drive a car.

The A-Level student said he'd always dreamed of flying after becoming fascinated with an air ambulance which landed near his home when he was just three.

After joining the Air Cadets, he began lessons aged 13 and he has now made aviation history after achieving his Civil Aviation Authority Sailplane Pilot Licence.

The former grammar school pupil is still waiting for the paperwork to arrive but plans to take his mum, girlfriend and even his teachers up in the air as 'pilot in command' as soon as possible.

Charlie has clocked up 45 flying hours, including 15 hours flying solo, in the unpowered aircrafts and dreams of one day becoming a military pilot.

Charlie, of Deeping St James said: "I was just three when an air ambulance landed near our garden and that’s what first sparked my fascination with flying.

“I joined the Air Cadets at 13 and had my first experience taking control of an aircraft through gliding. From that point on, I was completely hooked.

“Getting my glider pilot’s licence involved theory exams, navigation tests and practical flying assessments.

“My ambition is to become a military pilot, whether that’s with the RAF, Army or Navy. I’d just be happy to spend my career flying.

“After that, I’d love to fly for the air ambulance service. Seeing that helicopter when I was young has always stayed with me.

"It's really surreal to be the youngest in the country.

"My mum will definitely be the first person I'll take up - but there's a long list of people wanting to come along including friends, my girlfriend and my teachers.

“I'd like to fly over my house first, then my girlfriend's house and then go to the beach and places like The Wash - that would be really cool.

"My favourite part is doing the aerobatics. It's great fun.

"The speed, the manoeuvres and the challenge of flying make it an amazing experience.”

Charlie is a member of Peterborough and Spalding Gliding Club and is studying physics, maths and geography at The Deepings School.

He trained, earned three scholarships and took his gliding exams at the flying club which is based in Crowland.

He joined Stamford 2071 Squadron Air Cadets when he was a pupil at Bourne Grammar School, and has flown aerobatics in a powered Grob Tutor aeroplane with an instructor from RAF Cranwell.

Unlike for many young people who aspire to join the RAF, Charlie’s parents don’t have a military or flying background.

Mum Natalie, 44, a parish council clerk, said: "He was always scared of fairground rides so he thought he would either have to give up or get over it.

"And he did, his body become used to the G-force and I'm really proud of him.

"He could have picked a cheaper hobby - like being a footballer and earning millions for kicking a ball about.

"It is actually a much more affordable way of flying. A powered plane costs about £280 an hour whereas gliders are about £45-50.

"But he is so driven and determined. Most adults don't have their careers mapped out like he has already.

"I did have to question my parenting though at one point.

"It was when I saw him putting on a safety parachute that I had to wonder if we had let him choose the right hobby.

"I was thinking 'so my child is going up in that glider and may have to jump out'

“And there was a time I checked the location app on my phone and saw he was over Colchester, which was a surprise because I had dropped him off that morning in Crowland.”

Charlie has been confirmed to currently be the youngest qualified glider pilot, having gained his Flight Radiotelephony Operators Licence last year and Sailplane Pilot Licence earlier this month.