A seven-year-old boy who one day dreams of becoming a Royal Air Force pilot has taken his first flying lesson - and even flew the plane for a few seconds.

Pint-sized Jacob Newson said it was one the ‘best experiences’ in his life when he took to the skies for the very first time after dad Andrew, 53, surprised him with the lesson.

The little lad even took over the controls of the Piper PA-28 Cherokee and soared 3,000 feet into the air during the flight last Friday (April 16).

The promising pilot, who was dressed in his favourite RAF flying suit, said he was scared at first but as soon as he landed he wanted to go back in the air.

Jacob, from Leeds, West Yorks., said: “At first I was feeling a bit scared, but when the engine was about to start up I said I was going to be brave.

“When it took off I was really brave and really excited.

“I wanted to loopty loop. But dad didn’t want to. But I felt very comfortable flying.

“I want to keep doing it forever. I want to spend all of my time in the skies.

“It was one of the best experiences of my life.”

Dad Andrew said he was ‘incredibly proud’ of his boy after he flew for the first time - but said he wished his late wife Andrea could have seen the brave lad fly.

He said it was an emotional experience as it had always been the plan for her to take him on his first flight.

Andrea tragically passed away aged 49 just days after Christmas last year, after a short battle with breast cancer.