A teenager from Street has learnt to fly a glider solo - severalmonths before he can learn to drive a car.
Sixteen-year-old Kyle Johnston was due to take his flight - andgain his glider licence earlier in the year on his 16th birthday,but bad weather delayed his first solo flight until Sunday.
He has been flying with Mendip Gliding Club for the last year,after getting a first taste of the skies as part of an open day.
His mum, Sharon, said: "He was looking for something to do, and Isaw an advert in the press for the club and we went along to have alook.
"He really enjoyed his trial flight and since then he's up at theclub every chance he gets.
"When you consider that he won't be able to drive a car foranother year, it's an amazing thing he's achieved."
Kyle is believed to be one of the youngest people in the area tohold a glider licence, and has been training with the club for thelast year.
The club also helped out with a bursary which allowed him to keeptaking lessons.
"I'll never forget the day I had my first solo flight," Kylesaid.
"I took off from the gliding club, which is based near RodneyStoke
"I released from the winch, turned left and flew downwind - atthis point I think I was gliding at around 900 feet.
"I did a 360 degree turn to take me down to 700 feet and thenlanded.
"I've been flying with the club for just over a year and when Istarted, I was lucky enough to get a Pounds 200 bursary from theclub that has helped me fly.
"I'm so grateful to everyone who helped me with my training andhelped me to get my licence, especially the people who helped on theday and those who continue to inspire me in the gliding club."
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