Rookie pilot takes control

Mr Jefferay took control of the Piper PA 28 light aircraft

A man on his first ever flying lesson had to take the controls for 15 minutes after his instructor collapsed.

Rob Jefferay was enjoying the flight as a birthday treat when he found himself in charge over the skies of Merseyside.

An RAF pilot flew next to the Piper PA 28 light aircraft to guide it down for an emergency landing.

But the instructor came round just in time to touch down safely.

I didn't have time to think of anything when it was actually happening, it was all over so quickly

Rob Jefferay

Mr Jefferay, 33, told BBC News Online he had just taken the controls after taking off from Barton Aerodrome on Tuesday when Mr Sherrat suffered a "seizure".

"I was just flying around when the instructor seemed to fling himself backwards in his seat, then he lurched forward over the controls.

"I thought he was just trying to scare me and I had to pull him off the controls as he was causing the plane to go into a roll.

"I pulled the plane level and just continued flying because I still thought he was having me on.

"When he didn't respond to calls from air traffic control, I realised it was serious."

Mayday call

Mr Jefferay, who received the flight as a birthday present from his brother, sent out a Mayday call and told traffic controllers that Mr Sherrat had passed out.

"I explained to them what had happened and and that I didn't have a clue what to do next.

"The next thing I knew, there was another plane flying next to me."

The pilot from RAF Woodvale took Mr Jefferay on a couple of circuits of the airfield and explained how to bring the plane down.

Mr Jefferay's first attempt failed and during his second approach, Mr Sherrat came round and landed the plane at RAF Woodvale.

The lesson started at Barton Aerodrome

The whole drama lasted 15 minutes.

"I didn't have time to think of anything when it was actually happening, it was all over so quickly," said Mr Jefferay, from Wilmslow, Cheshire.

"The experience hasn't put me off flying, it was a one off and it isn't likely to happen again."

A spokeswoman for the RAF said: "A tutor aircraft from RAF Woodvale was airborne at the time.

"Flight Lieutenant Max Craghill, RAF retired, gave advice to the student while the instructor was incapacitated."

The emergency services, including five ambulances, were called to the airfield.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said a number of roads in the area were closed as a safety precaution.

The instructor was taken to hospital by ambulance to recover.