Storrington schoolboy becomes the world’s youngest glider pilot.

Alex Westgate achieved the feat on December 9 - his 14th birthday.

His dad Guy, a commercial pilot and gliding instructor, said: “Incredibly you can fly a glider solo years before you can drive a car, get a tattoo, join the army or even buy a pint.”

Alex has grown up with flying, His dad Guy met his mum Delia when they both worked as cabin crew,

As well as being a commercial pilot, Guy is now also an airshow pilot, flying aerobatic displays in gliders around the world.

He said: “For years flying has just meant going on holiday to Alex, but we are lucky to have a gliding club close to our house in Storrington and, under the social distancing rules, I could fly with Alex during the Covid restrictions as we share a family bubble, so Alex decided to take lessons in May at the Southdown Gliding Club.

“Going solo on his 14th birthday was always the dream, but it does put a lot of unnecessary pressure on the student. Typically, young students will pick up the basic flying skills quite quickly, but what’s more difficult is teaching a 13-year-old how to make decisions, how to exercise judgement, how to keep calm under pressure and take responsibility.

“Learning to glide has meant much more than just flying to Alex, with covid restrictions closing all the sport clubs and youth groups this year, it’s been a great way for Alex to develop as a young man, learning so many life skills.

“Learning how the glider flies has helped bring some of his STEM subjects to life too.

“On the day, we were so lucky. Alex passed his check flight and the weather was perfect for a first solo flight.

“It’s really odd to see your own son flying a glider solo, at such a young age.

“He is a typical teenager, I had to remind him to take his coat and do up his shoe laces this morning – and now he is taking responsibility for an aeroplane! I don’t know who was more nervous.”

Alex said that that he kept talking to himself during his solo flight, just to remind himself to get the correct speed and height to make the landing perfect.

“I still can’t believe it, yesterday I was at school, today I am a solo pilot,” he said.

“I don’t know what I want to do when I am older but I do want to fly again when the weather gets better.”

He said that some of his classmates at Steyning Grammar School didn’t quite believe him when he told them about his solo flight.

“I had to show them a photo – I still think a few thought I was making it up.”

Alex has a younger bother James,12, and twin brother, Ben - who both tried a few lessons but “didn’t really get the buzz,” said Guy.