Burton man is flying high (From Western Telegraph)

Burton man is flying high

5:53pm Monday 17th September 2007 in News

A Burton man has reached for the skies and achieved his dream of piloting passenger jets.

After years of expensive training, Mark Miles, aged 26, is now a pilot with low-cost airline Jet2.com, based in the north of England.

Mark knew he wanted to fly from a young age and gained his private pilot's licence while studying for his A levels at Tasker Milward School.

After graduating from the British Aerospace Europe flying school in Jerez, Andalucia, in 2001, job opportunities in the industry were affected by the September 11th disaster.

Mark spent months searching for his dream job before finally joining Emerald, a freight airline in 2003.

In 2005, Mark took a job with commercial airline Jet2.com, and secured the job he had been waiting for.

"I started flying a Boeing 737, which holds 148 passengers, from the Belfast base. Jet2 flies all over Europe and to the Canaries, and are planning to go further afield.

"I then transferred to Leeds and now fly a Boeing 757, which carries 238 passengers."

Mark is extremely happy to work full-time as a pilot.

"It's really good to be able to turn a hobby into a job," he said.

Mark is still paying off his training costs but he will be up for his captaincy in the future.

Proud parents Glyn and Monica Miles believe his hard work has been worthwhile.

"Its not often kids have their dreams fulfilled," said Glyn.