A LOVING son who was first introduced into the world of aviation by his dad repaid the favour after taking him to the skies once more years later.
Alex O’Keefe, 37, is a flight instructor and part of the Essex and Suffolk Gliding Club in Wormingford.
Meanwhile dad Phil, 65, hasn't piloted an aircraft for 20 years.
Alex has helped give his father his wings once more after teaching him how to fly a glider.
Alex said: “It was a surreal experience at first, as it was my dad that gave me my first experience of flight in a light aircraft when I was around two or three.
“It’s been many years since he’d flown and despite learning so much about flying from him in those formative years the tables were turned, and I was teaching back everything that had been forgotten.
“To send him on his first solo glide was a privilege, and I felt immensely proud to see him take to the sky on his own.
"Dad has been gliding now for around a year, and flown with many, if not all of the excellent instructors at the club, so has spent time working through the full syllabus of flying exercises.
“With his history of aviation, as well as many years spent teaching people to drive, he has a great understanding of the learning process, the physics behind the flying exercise, and a healthy respect for the challenges involved.
“It’s been great seeing him advance to solo, and I look forward to watching his gliding progressing even further.”
Gliders become airborne by being flung up by a winch, which sits around a mile away from the take-off area.
As the winch pulls and tightens the tension on the cable, it will start to build the glider up to speed and once the tension reaches a certain point, the glider flies up into the air.
When taking off the glider gets up to 60 miles per hour in just three seconds.
Phil said his first solo flight was "magical", enjoying the 'completely silent' experience.
He added: "Although my first ever solo flight was in a powered aircraft at Ipswich airport in 1987 I stopped flying in 2002 because it had become too expensive.
"The glider solo was far more memorable, without an engine it's pure flying.
"Being taught by my son Alex was great fun, we've had several pupil/teacher experiences, he flew with me in light aircraft from the age of four and I taught him how to handle the controls.
"I also taught him how to drive, in return he taught me how to fly a glider and use a smartphone.
"I suppose we've always been fairly close, but this was very personal and we did have a laugh."
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