An air cadet from Melksham has taken to the skies to fly a jet solo and win his air cadet pilot wings.

Alex Phipps, 18, of Round-ponds, was selected to go on the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme in Tayside, Dundee, along with two other cadets.

Over the two weeks, the three, who had already qualified as solo glider pilots, learned more about piloting, making about two flights each day.

After mastering power flight skills – including how to recover from a stall while plummeting towards the ground, and passing an exam – Alex was allowed to take a jet out unaccompanied.

His first solo flight came as a surprise, when his instructor told him to take the plane back up alone just after they had landed.

He said: “She opened the canopy and disappeared and said, ‘There’s the aircraft, off you go.’ “I did my power checks and off I went. It was brilliant. All three of us were going at the same time. It was absolutely fantastic.

“I was just humming to myself and smiling all the way. Looking around, I could see my other two mates, as well.

“As soon as the wheels touched the ground, I was ecstatic. It was great.”

The teenager, a member of 2385 (Melksham) Squadron ATC for six years, hopes to become an RAF pilot and is studying physics and biology A-levels in Corsham School’s sixth form.

He said: “I know there’s really high demand and it’s really hard to get, but I’m going to give it a good shot.

“Hopefully, this and my glider wings will set me apart from others.”

Pilot Officer Raymond Coe, of 2385 (Melksham) Squadron ATC, said: “It’s a huge achievement. Prior to doing the flying scholarship, you have to do the glider scholarship and fly solo in a glider as well.

“There aren’t many that achieve the silver wings; it’s not easy. It’s massive. We’ve got a lot interested at the moment, due to the example of the older cadets like Alex.”

Melksham Air Cadets meet in Bowerhill on Wednesdays and Fridays from 7pm.

To find out more, email Flight Lieutenant Darren Gerrish on dgerrish2385 @hotmail.co.uk