High flying Inverurie Academy pupil takes to the air
A 17-year-old pupil at Inverurie Academy is following in his grandfathers footsteps after gaining his Private Pilot Licence.
George Walker Jnr. a 6th year pupil at Inverurie Academy officially gained his Private Pilot Licence (PPL) at just 17-years-old on Friday.
Flying out of Aberdeen Airport with Alexander Air, George is hoping to follow in his late Grandad's footsteps as a pilot and his dream is to become a commercial pilot with an airline.
Dad George Walker said: "We find it an incredible achievement that he can fly before he can drive."
His family association with aviation recently saw him taking a seat proudly in the cockpit of his late grandad's Royal Airforce transport aircraft, affectionately known as “The Whispering Giant”.
The aircraft is actually the RAF Bristol Britannia Series 253 C.Mk1 XM496 ‘Regulus’ - the very last Britannia to ever fly.
George was able to sit in the very same seat his late grandad had spent many hours in flying as this actual RAF Bristol Britannia aircraft is now on permanent display at Cotswold Airport in England.
As his dad explained: "When young George was able to match the registration of this magnificent Britannia to a long list of entries in his grandad's Royal Air Force pilot log books, we were blown away and delighted at the possibility that George would one day still have the opportunity to see one of the aircraft his Grandad (Bob Southall) flew all those years ago.
"That day meant the world to us all.
As George continues in pursuit of his own career in aviation, we remember with great pride the footsteps he follows and know with certainty how incredibly proud my dad would be of his grandson, who, I'm sure, he will sit beside on every journey he takes."
looking to the future mum Jenny Walker said: "Young George and I are now planning a trip with him and I up to Dornoch for lunch very soon and I cannot wait!
"Apparently we can land and walk into town which will be a fabulous experience to share with my boy."
