Kingham Hill pupil flies solo and receives his wings

25 Jun 2015

17 year old Ryan Bolger of Kingham Hill School has flown solo, following a prestigious programme based in the East of Scotland. He has now gained his ‘wings’ and the dream of becoming an RAF pilot is a great deal closer to being fulfilled.

The demanding scholarship training camp for RAF cadets offered pilot training. Ryan made tremendous progress and passed the basic training element in double-quick time. Most cadets fly solo for the first time in a glider. Ryan demonstrated sufficient competence to be allowed to take his first solo flight in a powered aircraft, a Glob Tutor T1. The programme also sharpened leadership and communications skills.

The scholarship was won by means of an impressive application supported by Flying Officer (and Kingham Hill Head of Science), Mr. Miller. In part the award is recognition of all the hard work put in by Ryan over the years in helping to develop the Combined Cadet Force at Kingham Hill.

Headmaster Nick Seward said, “Ryan is a fine young man, whose character has developed dramatically with the ‘out-of-comfort-zone’ experiences provided by the school CCF. Coupled with an impressive set of A Level predictions, he clearly has a great future ahead of him in the RAF.”

With a father in the RAF, Ryan has always had a fascination with flying and a dream to become an RAF pilot. He has flown in a Merlin from RAF Benson and used a simulator to fly a Hercules and Typhoon.

His passion and determination has been encouraged through his time at Kingham Hill and as he has moved through the ranks of its CCF. He speaks of his gratitude to the School for helping him grow in confidence and for developing his leadership and communication skills.