HE CAN'T legally drive a car yet but this Goodwick teenager took to the skies in a Cessna 150 for his first solo flight just a week after his 16th birthday.

At 16 Ysgol Bro Gwaun pupil, Merion John, was delighted to have reached the age where you can legally fly solo in the UK.

His first solo flight was scheduled for the weekend of his birthday but weather conditions meant that it had to be delayed by a week.

However just seven days after he turned 16 the plucky teen took off from Withybush Airport for his first solo flight.

Merion's passion for flying was ignited around two years ago when he expressed an interest in joining the RAF. For the past year he has been taking lessons at Fly Wales, Haverfordwest, under the expert tuition of Jane McNamara.

"Jane took him under her wing," explained proud father Peter John. "He has taken to flying and is thoroughly enjoying it.

"I felt quite nervous watching him set off for his first solo flight. Jane took him up for a couple of flights. Then they landed, she got out of the plane and off he went by himself.

"He was delighted when he landed and even had a call from the control tower to congratulate him on his landing."

Merion, who sat four GCSE exams in the same week as his first solo flight is hoping to gain his private pilots' licence when he's 17 and to pursue a career in the sky either in the RAF or the fleet air arm.

"He's got the bug now," said peter. "He can't wait to get up there again."