A teenager stunned schoolmates when he arrived at his prom – at the controls of a HELICOPTER.
Alex Lambert, 16, who has been learning to fly for two years, was accompanied by an instructor but piloted the chopper himself.
He took along pals Connor Whitehead and Joe Patterson for his surprise grand entrance at Rigewood School in South Yorks.
Mum Michelle said Alex, of Barnby Dun, South Yorks., said: “I don’t think Alex told anybody at school what he’ was going to do.
“He’s quite reserved, so I’m sure it was quite a big surprise for everybody.
“I’m so proud of him, he’s well on his way to getting his licence and I hope he will make a career out of this because it’s his passion.
“I was quite nervous when he said he wanted to do this, and also fly solo, but I was confident that he could do it. It’s always been his intention to fly in to his prom.”
The flight, which went smoothly, formed part of one of Alex’s lessons and an instructor also went along for the ride.
Michelle added: “He went with his instructor on this one so the helicopter could be taken back to the airfield afterwards.
“I know he was quite nervous because all of his peer group was watching, but he had a great time.”
Alex has been having lessons once or twice a month with Hields Aviation instructors at Sherburn Airfield for the last 18 months.
His mum said: “You can start to learn to be a pilot when you are 14-years-old, and that’s when Alex started his lessons.
“You have to wait until you are 17-years-old to get a pilot’s licence, but if your instructor thinks you are ready you can take your first solo ride when you reach the age of 16. Alex did that on his 16th birthday, on June 6.”
