Scholarship Student gets his wings
29th May 2005

Yesterday afternoon (Sunday 29th May) George Green, just 17, from Peel gained his wings at Andreas Gliding Club when he took to the skies on his own for the first time. George won the opportunity to fly solo when early in 2004 he won a Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) sponsored Scholarship offered to all 15 & 16 year olds by the British Gliding Association (BGA) as a celebration of 100 years of flight. In fact the RAeS, the BGA, sponsored George?s entire course with the fund generously topped up by local publican Nigel Dobson of the Liverpool Arms, Onchan.

Bob Fennell, Chief Flying Instructor, said "...this is an event that George will remember for the rest of his life. He started with us as a Scholarship Student in March 2004, then 15. It is no easy achievement and I have to say that he has worked hard to get this far. This is just the first step towards learning the skills needed not only to soar the thermals and hill lift we have in the Isle of Man but will prove invaluable should George choose a career in aviation".

George said "After a few flights today Bob told me he wanted to get out of the back seat now and then asked if I would like to take it up by myself. I couldn't believe it, I really wasn't expecting to go solo today". George added "I was a little nervous but was confident I could do it, I told myself - just do what you?ve been trained to do, in fact you?re too busy to be nervous but hey, when you land..... what a fantastic feeling!"

Bob also added "The sport of gliding is open to anyone in the Isle of Man, we particularly want to encourage air minded youngsters such as George to take up the sport, this is a perfect example of the adventure that is available to the youngsters here in the Isle of Man - George is now qualified to fly a glider solo before he has even passed his driving test. Gliding is an inexpensive, safe, outdoor adventure activity that will introduce youngsters directly to flying, by its very nature it will develop self discipline and confidence, since no one else can fly a glider solo for you! - It beats any computer game! "

For more details about Gliding in the Isle of Man call Tom Wiseman (Chairman) on 861863 or Bob Fennell (CFI) on 817659

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	Andreas Gliding Club Offers Gliding Scholarships
	Scholarship Student gets his wings
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