He might be lucky enough to have well off parents, but couldn't the same be said that most of us are lucky enough to have jobs that allow us to be able to afford to fly?
I consider attaining my current position in my profession an important achievement. Likewise I consider learning to fly an important achievement. One does not take away from the other. Both are achievement in their own right.
Just because Chris hasn't had the opportunity to prove himself in a career yet, doesn't in anyway take away from his achievement in his flying.
Getting to solo on your 16th birthday might only be an option to those with parents who can afford to support them, but that doesn't in anyway take away from Chris's success.
Hoey, your comment sounds more like jealousy than anything else. Please don't try to take away from this young mans achievement.
But in any case, what I find far more impressive than the fact that he soloed at 16, is the fact that he managed to solo both day and night with only 13 hours experience! That's really impressive to me.
FFF in answer to your question, I for one, haven't heard of anyone who's done this before.
For what it's worth, I imagine most people who solo at 16, have a lot more than 13 hours which makes his achievement all the more impressive.
Well done Chris
dp