High-flying pair complete solo flights

An extra special achievement as the two of them are only 16 years old – so they have taken charge of an aeroplane before they can legally drive a car on the road.

Corporal Thomas Fedzin and Gabriele Kvederaite started their training by attending 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at RAF Topcliffe for a Bronze level gliding course, after which they were advised to apply for the next level, which trains cadets to a standard to fly solo.

Events moved rapidly for them and Thomas started his Silver Wings course only three weeks later, achieving his solo flight after just four weekends of training.

Gabby started her Silver Wings course the week after Thomas and achieved her solo flight in December.

Flight Lieutenant Alan Crowley, the chief flying instructor at 645 VGS, said: “Gabby has easily mastered the skills required to fly the Vigilant on her own.

“We were blessed with calm, crisp conditions here at RAF Topcliffe. It made perfect sense for me to vacate the aircraft and let her go it alone. A huge well done to Gabby. She was a pleasure to fly with and can wear her Silver Wings with pride.”

Mirfield’s squadron commander, Flight Lieutenant Pater Doubell, added: “What a wonderful opportunity and great success for these two cadets! For a variety of reasons, gliding for air cadets has been difficult in recent years, but we can certainly now see the activity coming back into fruition, and the advantages of a new progressive training structure. Thomas and Gabby have been the first of our cadets to benefit, but we hope their success will also be enjoyed by many others as the new programme continues to roll out.”