A RETAIL worker who caught the flying bug in his teens has passed his Private Pilots Licence (PPL) test after saving all his spare cash for lessons in the cockpit.

James Burgon, 20, a retail worker of Seaham, County Durham, has been putting away his Christmas money since he was 16-years-old and worked in numerous jobs from instructing at a local climbing wall to helping out on shop floors, to reach his goal.

Having passed his PPL with pilot training and testing specialist PTT Aviation Newcastle, Mr Burgon is now qualified to pilot aircraft privately and with non-commercial passengers.

Mr Burgon, who works at Bensons for Beds in Durham, said : “I received a flight experience for my 16th birthday and became obsessed with flying straight away – I knew I wanted to fly for a living.

“Ever since I’ve been working hard and saving my Christmas money to pay for lessons and make sure I can fly as much as possible.”

He continued: “There have been a few hurdles to overcome – the nine written exams being big ones. But the little achievements along the way made it worthwhile.

“Completing my first solo flight felt amazing – I did a quick circuit at the school at first, then I flew from Newcastle to Barnard Castle, across to Seaham and back again for my first cross-country solo.”

With his PPL under his belt, Mr Burgon is now working towards his Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL), which will allow him to fly for commercial airlines.

Founded in 1925 by a group of war pilots, Newcastle’s PTT Aviation, which is now based at Newcastle Airport, is the oldest flying school in the country. James is joining an impressive alumni, with previous students including Sam Smith Senior, founder of Ringtons tea and pioneering female flyer Connie Leathart.

Pilot training and testing specialist, PTT Aviation has flight training schools at Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley airports and offers flight training and testing for all levels.

Craig McLeod, managing director of PTT, said: “We couldn’t be more proud of James – he’s a great pilot and has worked really hard to get to where he is, both at the school and outside of it. We have no doubt he’s going to go far.”