SOARING above the traffic, the sky’s the limit for new pilot Richard Fenwick.

The high flier has stunned instructors by qualifying as a pilot after just two weeks of training.

The 33-year-old has earned his wings at the Northumbria Flying School, becoming the first trainee to fully qualify within such a short space of time.

Richard, originally of Broadway East, Gosforth, Newcastle, returned to his native North East for the tuition from Switzerland, where he now lives.

Before the tough training regime he had only flown an aircraft once in his life.

Now, with 45 hours of flying practice under his belt, he has been given his PPL(A) licence, which means he can pilot an aircraft with less than 19 seats anywhere in the world.

Richard, who works for Zurich Financial Services, said: “When I was a kid I always wanted to become an RAF pilot but I couldn’t because of my eyesight.

“In July last year I did a skydive in Switzerland and realised how great it would be to able to fly a plane and so I booked a trial lesson.

“The training was really intense but it’s amazing to qualify and I would recommend it to anyone. I can’t believe what I have achieved.”

Throughout the two-week training regime Richard, who has been staying with his parents in Gosforth, had to complete 45 hours’ fly-time with a four-seat low wing plane, seven ground exams and a radio practical test.