CHRIS Hindle marks his 16th birthday today -- by taking to the skies for his first solo flight.

Chris, of Showley Road, Clayton-le-Dale, was due to undertake the light aircraft journey this morning. Then after dark he is due to make his first solo night flight.

Weather-permitting, Chris will fly over Blackpool for 45 minutes and will have to perform five take-offs and landings as part of his training, towards gaining a pilot's licence.

The minimum legal age for solo flying is 16, and the Clitheroe Grammar School pupil only started flying lessons in October and has a half-hour lesson once a fortnight.

After he has gained his licence, which will allow him to fly in the UK and Europe, he hopes to work towards qualifications for commercial flying and eventually become a professional pilot.

Chris, who recently won a battle of the bands competition with his band Oversight, said he is looking forward to the challenge.

He said: "I'm not nervous, I'm excited. It should be fun.

"You've got to be 16 to do a solo flight and it's part of the training to get your licence. When you're 17 you can take your private pilot's licence. Then after you've got that you can add the commercial pilots licence which means you can fly planes for a living."

Getting a licence usually involves completing 45 hours' flight training ending with a test.

Various 'ground' tests must also be taken, including questions on aviation law, navigation and health checks.

Mother Joanne Hindle said she is incredibly proud of her daredevil son.

Mrs Hindle said: "This is just something he's always wanted to do -- he's always loved planes even when he was a little boy. I'm very proud of him."

Today a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority, the UK's independent aviation regulator, said: "Whilst it is not that unusual for a pilot to take a solo flight on their 16th birthday, it is a great personal achievement for anyone to fly at that age."