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Birstall Air Cadet is UK’s Youngest Pilot

Article posted: Sep 11, 2008 by Sqn Ldr Flynn

A Cadet from 1947 (Birstall) Squadron will soon become the youngest person in Britain to hold a Private Pilots Licence.

Cadet Corporal Sally Cluley, 16, has been bitten by the flying bug after getting a taste for it through the Air Cadets. Sally joined the organisation at the age of 14 and went on her first air experience flight just a few months later. Sally said, “As a child I always had an interest in aviation, but after my first flight I knew that I wanted to take flying further and eventually get my licence”.

At just 16 years old, Sally was awarded a gliding scholarship and showed great promise by completing the course in better than average time. The gliding success spurred her on to undertake a Private Pilots Licence funded by an inheritance from her late grandmother. Success continued throughout her course and despite being just 16 years old, managed to qualify in the minimum 45 hours flying training.

Cpl Sally Cluley with her Private Pilots Licence Logbook

Although Sally has completed all of the practical and written exams, she must wait until her 17th birthday before she can be presented with her Pilots Licence. She will officially be the youngest person in the UK to hold a PPL.

Sally hopes to go on to study Aeronautical Engineering at Loughborough University once she has completed her ‘A’ Levels and is then aiming to develop a career as a pilot either in the RAF or the commercial airline industry.

By Sgt Gavin King, MCO, 1947 (Birstall) Squadron – South & East Midlands Wg

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