A teenager with sky-high ambitions is coming back down to earth after completing his first solo flight at the controls of an aeroplane.

Niraj Thakkar, 16, of Marina Approach, Hayes, has dreamed of becoming a pilot since he was six years old, and on Tuesday last week, after completing 25 hours of flying lessons, he took off in a twin-seat Cessna 152 from Denham Aerodrome on his own.

“It’s a day I will never forget – the adrenalin was unreal,” said Niraj, a pupil at Barnhill Community High, in Yeading Lane, Hayes.

“I always wanted to be a pilot, but of what kind I didn’t quite know. But having such a focused career choice allowed me to make personal and academic decisions at an early stage, which have aided my success today.”

Niraj flew a circuit over Maple Cross and Chalfont St Peter during his maiden solo flight, which lasted 15 minutes.

Neither of his parents has any connection or history of aviation but a few years ago Niraj contacted the RAF to find out what he needed to do to become a fighter pilot.

“They advised for me to join the Air Cadets to not only learn about the world of aircraft, but also to learn the discipline needed for this industry,” he explained.

When he was 13 he signed up as a member of 1083 Uxbridge Squadron of the Air Training Corps (ATC), based at Reserve Forces Compound, in Honeycroft Hill, Uxbridge.

“This was one of the best decisions I ever made,” he said.

“I gained many qualifications with them, as well as getting an invaluable opportunity to go air experience flying at RAF Abingdon. It was that moment which confirmed my career choice of becoming a pilot.”

When he was 14, Niraj began looking into where he could train for his private pilot’s licence. He found out that flying lessons do not come cheap.

“I knew I had chosen an expensive path,” he said.

So, the enterprising teenager started his own little business at school, buying and selling sweets and snacks.

“This job didn’t last too long as I got caught by my teachers,” he admitted.

With the help of his parents he has now set up his own limited company, JarinDirect, buying iPhone and iPod accessories from China and selling them in the UK. The profits help pay for his flying lessons.

Niraj’s initial aim is to become a commercial pilot for a high-end airline but his ultimate ambition is to fly his two favourite aircraft – the Typhoon GR4 fighter jet and the Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger airliner.

He plans to complete his private pilot’s licence by the time he is 17, for which he needs to fit in 25 hours of lessons alongside his studies for A-levels in physics, mathematical mechanics, further maths and geography. He also hopes to prepare for his air transport pilot’s licence.

“This will enable me to hopefully become a first officer with the big commercial airlines that we all love to fly on,” said Niraj.