Meet Varija Shah, an aspiring fighter pilot who already has a flying license at the age of 16

This 16-year-old might not have a driving license yet, but she has a student flying permit by her name. This makes Varija Shah the youngest student in Gujarat to have a student pilot license.

Earlier this week, she few Cessna 152 as co-pilot. It was special for her because the day coincided with her birthday. She was given the opportunity to take the pilot's seat and fly the aircraft.

She says she was fascinated about flying planes since she was in seventh grade.

"My dad always dreamt of becoming a pilot and that's how I got fascinated with flying. My parents were supportive of my decision, so I joined Gujarat Flying Club last year. It was a one-year course that included ground training, theory classes and flying plane on simulator," she told the Times of India in an interview.

Shah is currently an eleventh grade student in Navrachana School. She aims to become a fighter pilot.

"I will get a private pilot licence, join National Cadet Corps and then join the IAF," she says.

Chief flight instructor at the Gujarat Flying Club, Group captain (retd), Charlie Weir says, "Varija is a smart and bright student. She will now have to fly regularly to get expertise in flying planes."

Apart from flying, Varija is also a state and national-level tennis champion.