A TEENAGE pilot has reached a significant gliding milestone on his birthday.

Charlie Wilson, 16, who is a junior member of the Herefordshire Gliding Club in Shobdon, near Leominster, has achieved a "Silver C" award from the British Gliding Association.

Mr Wilson completed a 50km flight cross country to Usk and then back to Shobdon, while also completing his first outfield landing.

He started his gliding journey when he started aerotowing with his father Shaun, who is also a pilot.

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Aerotowing is the launching of a glider by being towed behind a powered aircraft.

His latest achievement comes just over a year after he became one of the youngest pilots to solo in a glider from 2,000 feet with the Herefordshire Gliding Club at Shobdon Airfield.

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The Herefordshire Gliding Club said on its Facebook page: "It was great to see Charlie take his own father on his first flight for one and a half hours.

"After many years as a tug pilot for his dad, he finally got to see the view from the other side."