When Whanganui's Xavier Gregory flew solo for the first time it was music to his ears.
More specifically it was the classical compositions he plays on his violin - after all that's what got him flying in the first place.
For the last three years Xavier has taken to Whanganui's streets - busking in a bid to become a pilot.
And by last week he had saved up enough pennies to gain his solo pilot licence on his 16th birthday.
"I had it booked in for a month so I had been counting down. I got up bright and early and was in the air by 8am with mum and dad on the ground watching.