Ryan’s Air: Earlston pupil awarded £500 flying funds
AN Earlston High School pupil has been awarded £250 towards flight training at Borders Gliding Club, by the Caroline Trust – a charity which raises funds to help young people to learn to glide.
Thirteen year old Ryan Snook and his dad Steve joined Borders Gliding Club at Milfield earlier this year, and both have impressed their instructors with dedication to their training as glider pilots.
Ryan’s application to the Caroline Trust had to be approved by the Chief Flying Instructor at Borders, Keith Latty, and the club had to commit £250 of matching funds in the event of an award being granted.
Therefore Ryan now has £500 worth of flight training funds to use towards gaining his solo license as a glider pilot
He has only had nine training flights to date, but veteran gliding instructor Alastair Fish of Kelso was very impressed on a flight together last week.
Alastair reported that young Ryan completed the entire 30 minute flight including take-off, an aerotow, circuit and landing, with barely any instruction or control-inputs from himself.
“It is amazing what youngsters are capable of at this age. They just soak up the skills and knowledge like a sponge – far quicker than most adults; it’s inspiring to see,” said Alistair.
If Ryan continues to make progress at this rate, he may well be allowed to go solo as a glider pilot as soon as his 14th birthday, in Spring 2014.
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Weather for Duns
Wednesday 19 June 2013
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Temperature: 8 C to 20 C
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