A teen girl has become the first ever RAF cadet to pilot an aircraft despite being born deaf.
Olivia Cornell achieved the amazing feat taking the controls of a Grob G 115 plane.
The 13-year-old did it at RAF Cosford, near Wolverhampton, West Midlands.
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She was awarded the amazing opportunity for her contribution to the 2364 Welshpool squadron RAF cadets over the last two years.
Olivia, from Llanfair Caereinion, mid Wales, was implanted with cochlear implants at 18 months old after being born profoundly deaf.
The teen, who attends Ysgol Bro Caereinion school, receives brilliant support from staff who run the squadron to help her with her flying journey.
The teen is now setting her sights on a pilot’s license with more flying lessons booked in for the future.
Olivia is following in the footsteps of both her grandfather and uncle, who were both involved in the RAF.
Proud mum Keilly Cornell, 42, told Need To Know: “Olivia was so excited and she knew that there may be some difficulties when it came to wearing the helmet.
“Like if her batteries went in her cochlear implants in mid-air, if a processor failed while in the air.
“However, the cadet staff team were incredible, they had a plan A, a Plan B and a plan C, so for every eventuality possible was covered.
“Which reassured me and certainly reassured Olivia.
“Olivia was ecstatic before and certainly when she finished I was the first person she FaceTimed to tell me all about her experience.
“She had the biggest smile on her face, and I truly believe she underestimated the huge accomplishment she had just achieved.
“Having a child with additional needs faces daily challenges, the smallest tasks can be big tasks for children with additional needs.
“Every time Olivia has been faced with a new challenge, whether she can or can’t do something.
“She has always grabbed it by the horns and absolutely smashed it.
“We are tremendously proud of her, and all of her achievements, and more importantly, her courage and determination to never let anything stand in the way.
“Olivia, is an incredible advocate for children with additional needs to prove that you can do anything.”
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