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Teen is flying high
On the up: Matthew Shone, left, is pictured with his instructor Philip Mundin of Westair Flying School, Blackpool. Matthew is also pictured above left
He isn’t old enough to smoke, drink or vote and he can’t drive a car – but 17-year-old Matthew Shone is taking to the skies.
The talented teenager from Hutton has had a love for flying since a trial lesson when he was 13, and has now got his licence.
The former Hutton Grammar School pupil became eligible for a private pilot’s licence earlier this month and is just waiting to get his hands on it.
However, in an ironic twist the teen has passed his pilot’s licence test before his driving test, which he is currently having lessons for.
Matthew said of the day he found out he had passed: “I was really excited, really really over the moon it was a great feeling - I couldn’t really sleep that night.”
He added: “It has been really hard work. I went for a trial lesson when I was 13 and it just went from there really. I just said to my dad that that’s what I want to do.
“It’s a nice feeling when you take a plane up, it is just a nice free feeling.
“I wanted to be a pilot from when I started flying. I liked it so much I thought why not make it my career.”
Matthew now has all the paperwork for his licence and is just waiting to get the physical copy in his hand - then he will be able to flight a light aircraft anywhere in Europe.
The teenager, who left Hutton Grammar School’s Sixth Form in May is now preparing for an interview at CTC Aviation Training in Southampton where he hopes to progress onto their CTC Wings course and train to become a commercial airline pilot.
Matthew starting having lessons with instructor Philip Mundin at Westair Flying School in Blackpool when he was 14.
Dad David, 51, added: “He went through his training and was suppose to do his first solo flight on his 16th birthday which would have made him the youngest in the country, but because of the country he couldn’t do it, when he did he was one of the youngest.
“He passed his Air Law Exam when he was 15, flew solo just after his 16th birthday and has done the other six exams since then.
“He is really made up, he wants to make a career as a commercial airline pilot.
“He has done really well. I have to say for a 14 year old to stick at something shows his dedication.”
Matthew, who also has a sister, Stephanie, 20, lives at home with his parents, David and Kathryn, 52.
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Weather for Preston
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 16 C
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