George Bell, a 16 year old, completed his LAPL Training in a record breaking 3 weeks!! And passed all 9 exams first time all at the age of just 16, making him the youngest pilot in the UK ever to complete his LAPL.
He first flight in a Piper PA28 was on July 22 2019 with Instructor Garry Mace, at Clifton Aviation based at Gloucestershire Airport. Following this first flight George went on to complete the entire course in just 3 weeks, passing all nine exams in the same time frame.
By August 13, he took to the skies for his skills test, the final hurdle he had to endure to make his goal and dream a reality, just like the rest of his course George took it in his stride passing first time and marking the course complete only three weeks after his first flight.
When asked how he felt about this momentous achievement he said: “I couldn’t have done it without the dedication of the Clifton Aviation team and particularly my Instructor Garry who prioritized my goal to complete my training during my school holidays”.
George who plans to become a commercial pilot, completed his LAPL training in 32 hours, the minimum flying hours required to obtain a pilot’s licence. His love of flying has been there from a young age as he comes from an Aviation family and has been fully supported by his dad who is also a pilot. George’s dad Steve said he was very proud of his son’s achievement and had no doubt of his capabilities from the start.
George’s flight training also included 6 hours of supervised solo flying, when he took the controls alone. His mission was accomplished, and with his licence sent off the the UK's Civil Aviation Authority the CAA, just three weeks later his licence was handed back to him on his 17th Birthday, marking an end to this first of many goals he has set out.
His instructor Garry said “Every day George gave 100% and not once did he slack off. This talented young man had a goal to achieve and he was going to make sure that it was fulfilled. His sheer commitment was outstanding in every way, always a smile on his face and a pleasure to be his flying instructor. On 13th August George took his skills test, a nervous day for all involved but feeling confident at the same time”.
This goal was supported by the Operations Manager Briege O’Meara, John Bowen HoT (Head of Training), Mo Nejad CFI (chief Flight Instructor) at Clifton Aviation, and David Lewins his ground school tutor.