HIGH flyer Ian Walker has gained his commercial airline pilot's licence at the age of 19.

Thanks to £50,000 sponsorship from his grandparents, Roy and Erimina Ian has spent the past year at the British Aerospace flight training school in Adelaide, Australia.

He is now qualified to fly commercial aircraft, but his Airline Transport Pilot's Licence is frozen until he completes 1,500 hours flying time.

Ian has spent the Christmas and New year period with his parents and family at home in Lydgate, Burnley.

Yesterday he returned to Habergham High School to thank the head, David Clayton, and his tutor, Steve Anson, for their help in enabling him to gain the necessary qualifications.

At the school he gained eight GCSEs and three A levels.

Today he flies back to Australia to complete his twin engine flying before returning to the UK early next month to get his command instrument rating so he can fly in cloud and at night.

Ian began flying at the age of 14 at Barton airfield and it has always been his ambition to be a pilot on international flights.

He said: "I hope to find a job with a major international airline, perhaps in the UK or Asia."

Ian added: "While in Burnley I wanted to go back to Habergham to thank them for all the help they gave me."

His grandparents, who live in Barrowford, used to be in the textile business.

Mr Walker said: "We have set aside £100,000 for each of our five grandchildren. We advanced Ian half of that amount to sponsor him. From the word go he has wanted nothing else but to be an airline pilot.

"I think his achievement is not only down to him but a feather in the cap for Habergham and the help and education he received there."

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