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Gifted children learn to fly in six months
Ten gifted children in Holland graduated from pilots' school in just six months instead of the standard two years.
The children, aged between 10 and 17, qualified as private pilots at Lelystad in a course organised by the Dutch Foundation Facta which acts for highly talented children.
Eiso Kant, 13, from Doorwerth, said: "A normal pilot's course takes two years. I did in in only six months. I liked the theory a lot - aerodynamics, flying technics, meteorology.
"All books of more than 800 pages. Legislation was the worst, because I had to learn it all by heart."
They also had to take a practical exam, reports Het Laatste Nieuws.
"With the teacher sitting next to me, I had to take off and fly for half an hour a clear round. It was very easy," added Eiso.
Although the children all got their private pilot licenses, the younger ones cannot fly until their 16th birthdays.
Eiso's mother Jereeny, who is chairman of Facta, said her organisation wants to offer children challenges they can't find anywhere else.
"In the near future we will also organise courses on how to invest on the Stock Exchange and how to become a private detective," she added.
Story filed: 09:52 Wednesday 18th February 2004