SHE may not be old enough to drive a car yet, but an ex-Bury Grammar Girls school student is able to pilot a plane all by herself.

Freya Dickson, who comes from Hawkshaw but moved to Melbourne with her family in 2016, piloted her first solo flight out of Moorabbin Airport last Sunday.

Freya, aged 16, has been taking flying lessons once a week as part of her Victorian State Education programme.

She described the experience of flying the plane as being "surreal".

"It's a pretty unique hobby to have," she added.

"I am lucky that the school have supported my ambition. I attend an aviation lesson every Wednesday where we learn about the practical and technical aspects of flying."

Freya, one of the youngest female students at the Tristar Aero club said: "I was concentrating on my instruments but my eyes were just out the window all the time looking over the bay of Melbourne down to the Tasman Sea. I really like the feeling of being up high."

Even though Freya has been clocking up the hours with her instructor towards getting her recreational pilots licence, her parents say they were 'thrilled but relieved' after the flight.

Dad Dave said: "Freya has a genuine passion and interest in aviation and hopes to become a commercial pilot for a major airline.

"Currently less than 3 per cent of commercial pilots are women but we know if Freya gives it 100 per cent she definitely has what it takes, plus having a pilot’s licence before university is a really big bonus.