BLADES OF GLORY

Olivia celebrates turning 17 by becoming youngest female helicopter pilot

- ED CHATTERTON

A TEENAGER has made aviation history by qualifying as a helicopter pilot on her 17th birthday - before being legally able to drive a car.

Olivia Thompson is the youngest female in the UK to receive her private licence.

And it means she is now fully qualified to carry passengers both domestically and overseas.

Olivia, who earned her wings at Nottingham Airport, plans to fly her friends for a day out to Alton Towers and take her family on a trip to Paris.

It took her just under four months to go from a novice to getting her PPL(H), allowing her to command a helicopter for noncommercial purposes.