PORT Macquarie's Alex McGee is too young to drive a car but has taken to the skies on his first solo flight.
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The occasion was Alex's 15th birthday.
"It was great," the teenager said.
"The winds were perfect and it was like the stars aligned."
The 15 minute flight over Port Macquarie on May 18 in a light sport aircraft went smoothly.
Alex landed the plane perfectly with the nose very high, column hard back and right in the middle of the runway.
The St Columba Anglican School student started flying in January with Hastings District Flying Club's recreational aviation flying school and four months later received a Recreational Aviation Australia scholarship.
The Giving Youth Flight Training Support program helps advance the dreams of young aviators.
"It felt natural, to be honest," Alex said about flying.
"You feel free."
Alex became the youngest Hastings District Flying Club student to fly solo in the club's almost 60-year history.
Hastings District Flying Club chief flying instructor Ray Lind said Alex was enthusiastic and learnt quickly.
"He was ready to go solo some time ago, but because he wasn't 15, he was unable to do that," Mr Lind said.
He said Alex flew the plane very well on his first solo flight and performed a beautiful landing.
Mr Lind said the achievement was a self-confidence boost.
Alex, who has been smitten with flying for years, dreams of becoming a commercial pilot.
"I couldn't imagine anything better," he said.
Meanwhile, the Hastings District Flying Club, together with Chris Higgins, is offering two $1200 flying scholarships to promote aviation to the youth of the Hastings.
Applications close on August 31.
For more information about the scholarships go to www.hdfc.com.au