High-flying teen becomes UK's youngest airline pilot

A 19-year-old has officially become the UK's youngest airline pilot after fast-tracking his way to a seat in the cockpit.

Luke Elsworth, who was appointed as a first officer for easyJet in April, started his flying career just nine days after his 18th birthday - when he enrolled on a pilot training programme in Southampton - and now regularly flies Airbus A319 and A320 planes.

Speaking about how he felt about having such a high-pressure job at a young age Luke, from Cheshire, said he didn't believe age was a factor when it came to being a good pilot.
He said: "I really want to encourage more younger people to get into it.

"If you're good enough to be there, you've done the training and you're suited towards it then I don't think age really has an impact."
Luke completed a pilot training programme at CTC Aviation - which included six months on simulators and a stint flying light aircraft in Arizona, USA - in just 18 months before securing his high-flying job and his status as the youngest airline pilot in the UK has been confirmed by Civil Aviation Authority records.

(culled from www.itv.com)