Click & collect colleague Liam flying high after gaining pilot's licence aged 18

Congratulations to 18-year-old home shopping colleague Liam from our Hessle Road store in Hull who's become one of the youngest people in the country to gain a pilot's licence.

Liam – who's wanted to fly since the age of seven – has worked part-time in our store's click & collect department for two years while studying computer science at Ron Dearing UTC Sixth Form College.

Liam, who trained with Hull Aero Club at Beverley Airfield, gained his Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) after notching up 49 hours of practical and theory-based training.

He said: “I’ve really wanted to fly since my seventh birthday when I was allowed into the cockpit on a flight home from Lanzarote with my family and the captain announced it was my birthday, so everyone sang to me.

"My parents Debbie and Phil got me a flying lesson for my 16th birthday and when I was 17 I started to fly every week. I've been putting almost all my wages from Asda towards my lessons.

"I love flying. I love the feeling of being free. You’re completely focused on it and time passes you by."

Liam took a photo of the store as he passed overhead one day, below.

He said: "I loved flying over the Asda store and managed to get an aerial photo. It was funny to see all the vans coming and going.

"I enjoy working at Asda as I like meeting people. As I'm on Click & Collect I deal with a lot of customers and know quite a few. Some know about my pilot's licence and are a bit surprised."

Liam, who has a younger brother Sam, 13, learnt to fly in a two-seater Cessna 152 light aircraft has now progressed to a four-seater as he continues his training. His dream is to become a commercial airline pilot.

Online trading manager Scott MacBeath at our Hessle Road store said: "It really is amazing. He's got his pilot's licence before he even got his driving licence!

"Everyone here is so proud of him. He's such a great colleague who has got so much to offer."