Schoolgirl pilot takes to the skies for solo flight on the day of her 16th birthday in Milton Keynes

A full year before she is legally allowed to drive, schoolgirl Tegan Dodimead has completed her first solo flight.
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Her school granted her a couple of hours off on her 16th birthday to go to her flying club near Brackley.

Sixteen is the minimum age anyone can fly solo in the UK, and Tegan, with 12 months of flying lessons under her belt, was determined not to leave it a minute longer.

But she had to take to the cockpit in her St Paul's Catholic School uniform because she had to go straight back to lessons afterwards, said her mum Emma.

Tegan flew the plane in her school uniform because she had to go straight back to lessons afterwards.Tegan flew the plane in her school uniform because she had to go straight back to lessons afterwards.
Tegan flew the plane in her school uniform because she had to go straight back to lessons afterwards.

Tegan, who is a a year 11 student, has been passionate about planes and flying since she was small child.

"We've been lucky enough to travel a lot for family holidays and Tegan has always loved aeroplanes. She even loves it when there's turbulence!" said Emma, who lives in Woolstone.

At the age of 13, Tegan joined the air cadets and is still a member of the 207 Cranfield Squadron. At the age of 15, she started having private flying lessons at Turweston Flying Club.

Her ambition is to join the RAF when she is 18, after completing her A Levels.

Meanwhile Tegan is set on notching up enough flying hours to achieve her Private Pilot Licence - hopefully on her 17th birthday.

Seventeen is the minimum age that anybody can hold a PPL .

"Her friends will be just starting to learn to drive, but all Tegan wants is to get her pilot licence. We are so proud of her," said Emma.