James Ponsford, whose family owns and runs Cega, the UK-based ambulance and emergency medical assistance service company, has flown solo for the first time at the age of 16. This is unlike his father Graham, who first flew solo at 17 years old, (the CAA has since lowered the solo age).

James says he intends to continue his studies before taking his commercial pilot's licence and joining the family business on the flying and business operations side.

"James is a natural flyer," said Graham Ponsford, "and we are very proud that he is sufficiently confident to take his first solo flight with less than 10 hours flying experience. Flying really is in the blood of this family."

James will join his cousins, Mark and Oliver Ponsford, who already work at Cega with their father, Clive Ponsford, who is chief pilot and joint md with Graham.