SKY’S the limit for one of Swindon’s most prolific adventurers who with more than 35 hours of flying under his belt has finally been handed his private pilots’ licence.

RAF serviceman Neil Robinson, 29, from Old Town, has successfully completed the top-up Junior Rank Pilot Scholarship Scheme (JRPSS), sponsored by the RAF Charitable Trust (RAFCT), and yesterday received his licence to roam the skies of Wiltshire.

A proud Neil said: “It has been my lifelong dream to learn how to fly so when I found out I had been successful in my JRPSS application and to later be selected to receive the top-up grant was amazing. I cannot express how much I have enjoyed myself and how eternally grateful I am for this life changing opportunity to become a qualified pilot.”

“From undertaking my first solo flight, to my first solo cross country land away on my own and being able to fly over my home town of Swindon, this is something I will never forget.”

A handsome £20,000 was awarded by the Trust to provide those, like Neil, who were on the top-up scheme with an additional 15 to 20 hours of flying training, as well as nine ground examinations and a flight test.

The funding provided by the Trust also went towards supplying the necessary study books, maps, logbook, clothing and pilot instruments required.

“It’s been hard work and challenging at times but incredibly rewarding and I am so grateful to the Trust for making it happen,” said Neil.

It follows Neil’s once in a lifetime adventure last June which saw him take part in a 1,500 mile sailing trip up the Eastern Seaboard of the USA from Miami to New York.

The expedition was part of Exercise Transglobe, which acts as a training mission for members of the armed forces designed to develop their professional skills.

Neil is based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and is just one of 10 Junior Ranks personnel to have been individually selected from the 2015/2016 intake of the JRPSS scheme to top-up his licence from a Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence to a full Private Pilot’s licence.

RAFCT director Justine Morton said: “It’s great to see how far each of our scholars has come since beginning the JRPSS scholarship and on to the top-up scheme. The sense of achievement the scheme brings is incredible; it’s making such a huge difference to young people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to get in the air.”

The JRPSS was launched in 2015 to improve the air-mindedness of Junior Ranks. The scheme has already benefitted 40 personnel, with the ambition of supporting 100 scholars through the scheme by 2018 - the RAF’s Centenary Year.

To find out more information about the JRPSS, please visit www.jrfly.co.uk.