Where there's a Will there's a way to be a high flyer
From The Surrey Mirror, March 6, 2003

High achiever: Budding pilot William Coombes has earnt his flying time helping out around the hanger

DETERMINATION and hard work has led to a schoolboy taking his first solo flight - before he can even learn to drive a car:

William Coombes, 16, took to the sky in a microlight at Redhill Aerodrome on Friday February 21.

The Caterham School pupil who is studying for his GCSEs said: "It's an amazing feeling. I'd recommend it to anybody."

The dedicated teenager from Redhill has earnt 13 hours of flying time by cleaning up, answering phones and running errands at flying school Cloudbase Aviation Services.

The youngster has to clean at least five aircraft and complete a series of other tasks to earn a single flying lesson.

He said: "It was a bit grim at times but I've got to look at it in the light of my ambition."

His aim now is to increase his flying hours and pass all the necessary tests so he can get his private pilot's licence on his 17th birthday. Eventually he wants to be an airline pilot.

William has been helping out at the aerodrome since last summer. Philip James, owner of Cloudbase, lauded William's determination. He said: "He has done exceptionally well.

"Young Will is out there in all weathers. He comes in all day Sunday and in his holidays he spends quite a lot of time here." The training to get a private pilot's licence would usually cost at least £2,500.

William thanked Mr James, saying: "He has helped me a lot."

But it was William's Green Lane next-door neighbour, ex-British Airways pilot John Tindall, who inspired him, taking him flying on his birthday. The budding pilot said: 'He really got me into it."