Cannot beleive anyone could be anything but chuffed for the lad. I did my first solo at 23, and it was hard getting there, and a nerve racking experience - loved it of course!
I think you should think back to when you were 16 and imagine yourselves doing it then, I doubt I would have been mature enough at that age, and i'm sure some of you will say the same. I think it's a massive achievement however it was funded. I would recommend sending it to one of the mags, I imagine they will put a mention in the news section?
Well Done
FLy