Kate's on cloud nine (From Warrington Guardian)

Kate's on cloud nine

THE sky really is the limit for highflying Kate Moran.

For the 19-year-old student from Longbarn has just gained her private pilot's licence.

Kate, of Burnett Close, will start the second year of her degree course in pilot studies and aviation technology at Leeds University in September.

From the age of eight, Kate was determined to be a pilot and joined the air cadets at the age of 13.

Her dream is to eventually fly a Boeing 747 or the new Airbus.

But there's just the small matter of raising £60,000 to enrol on a course in Oxford once she graduates, in order for her to qualify as a commercial pilot.

Dad, Martin, hopes to raise the amount by appealing for sponsorship from businesses.

He said: "I really don't know where she gets it from, but since she was a child she's always talked about becoming a pilot.

"It's hard because it's such a male dominated world, but things are beginning to change."

Kate is just one of six girls in a class of 91 currently studying for the qualification.

She travelled to Naples in Florida two weeks ago where she completed 45 hours of flying, followed by a three-hour skills test, in order to gain her licence.

Part of the test involved two 180-mile cross country three-hour solo flights.

Kate said: "On my first solo flight the weather conditions were so bad there was only one mile visibility and I couldn't see any of the checkpoints we're told to look out for. I was pretty terrified at the time.

"When it came to my second solo, the conditions still weren't perfect but I managed both of them fine. I've never considered doing anything else other than being a pilot.

"I just love how interesting it is. On the flight back from the USA, both the first and second officers were females and we got to chat to them in the cockpit."

If you would like to sponsor Kate, contact Martin on 826871.

sharker@guardiangrp.co.uk