The former Fraser High School student, who comes from Hamilton, took her first gliding flight as a 14-year-old in 2008. She said she had not been nervous about flying alone.
"I was more excited than nervous but I have heard of other people being quite scared before they go up alone."
The teenager said she was looking forward to continuing her gliding career.
"When you're up in the air you're seeing the world from a different perspective."
At the other end of the scale, 74-year-old Brian Crook is Tauranga Flying Club's second oldest member. The former pilot said he was the oldest one to have gone solo in recent times.
Mr Crook, who is originally from Auckland but retired to Mt Maunganui, took 12 months to train as a glider pilot. He said he had had an interest in aviation since his days flying in the Pacific Islands.
"I find it a very enjoyable pastime and hobby and it's not as expensive as powered planes. It was a cheaper way of getting back into the air," he said.
"You can have trial flights or packages of four lessons to give you an idea of whether it's something you would like to pursue."