“It’s to simulate if things go wrong so you know what to do.” Her first solo flight in late April, in an Alpha 160A, was straight after school internal exams. It was tiring because flying is complex and requires total concentration, she said. “The flight was really good but exhausting as I had a big day at school.” The flight lasted about seven minutes and the young flyer had to follow a set flight path. She said it was hard to fit everything in her busy life but she was determined to carry on flying. Supplied Timaru Girls High School year 13 student Rebecca Squire celebrates her first solo flight in an Alpha 160A training aircraft.