A TEENAGER was on cloud nine as he became the youngest solo pilot in the country, flying on his 14th birthday.

Toby Brown, from Burnham-on-Crouch, spent his birthday 2,000 feet in their air as he flew from the Essex and Suffolk Gliding Club.

He spent around 10 minutes in the air in a AFK 13 training glider before returning back to the club based at Wormingford Airfield.

Toby said it was definitely one of the best birthday presents ever.

He said: “It was nervewracking to be up there on my own making my own decisions, that was quite something.

“It feels unreal knowing I am the youngest solo pilot.”

He has been gliding for just over a year and spends most weekends at the airfield.

He said: “It’s nice being up there without a loud engine, it can be really peaceful and you get really good views.”

The instructors at the club said he was over the moon about the experience, as it has only been possible within the last year for people to fly solo at his age.