Whanganui teen Xavier Gregory busks to become a pilot

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.

"It was a pretty surreal experience. I remember glancing over to where the instructor usually sits and thinking 'Wow this is actually happening'."

Xavier Gregory, 16, has been busking to become pilot. Photo / Emma Russell

Becoming a pilot was a dream he had since he sighted a newspaper clipping about the Air Force.

He said he had been playing his violin for as long as he could remember and his mum suggested he should try busking.

"At first people just thought I was a cute kid but more people became interested and would ask me about why I wanted to become a pilot."

Xavier said he managed to save up $3500 over that time and now has about 36 hours of flying under his belt.

"I'm definitely looking at a career in piloting either with the Air Force or commercial flying.

"It sounds cheesy but it gives me this thrill when I'm flying. Being separate from the crowd of people below, you get this sense of freedom."

Next up is his private pilot licence which he hopes to get on his 17th birthday.