WHILE others his age were probably dreaming of their first moped, 16-year-old birthday boy Miles Bailey was taking to the skies on his first solo flight.

The aviation addict from Elvington could not wait to get airborne on his own, and the day of his 16th birthday was the first chance the law would allow him - or any other fledgling flyer - to do it.

The Pocklington School pupil was at the Wolds Gliding Club, at Pocklington airfield, from first thing, eager to get his feet firmly off the ground.

From the age of 14, Miles has been learning to pilot a glider, but only when accompanied by instructor Allan McWhirter in a two-seater machine.

And when he took to the skies this time it was not only alone but in an advanced machine, which other first-time solo flyers would normally not be allowed to touch.

"There are a few people who do their first solo at 16 but that would normally be in the machine they have trained in for two years. Because Miles is a little bit better than most he is flying a better machine," said instructor Allan.

Mum Judy and his 12-year-old twin sisters, Imogen and Phillippa, joined other relatives to watch Miles's 15-minute flight.

She said: "Although he's built like a prop forward, he doesn't really excel at ball sports so it's really good that he can do something different. He has an absolute passion for flying."

Miles is part of his school's Combined Cadet Force and hopes to one day be a commercial pilot.

PICTURE: Miles Bailey who celebrated his 16th birthday with his first solo flight