Hi.

I started flying when I joined the air cadets at 14 and did my PPL at 17 following a successful RAF flying scholarship. I don’t feel that anyone ever took me that seriously when I showed interest in being a pilot but I was determined and found my own path. 

Throughout my pilot journey I have had other women and girls alongside me although we were always a minority. I definitely had some negative comments and this did discourage me from following a career in the RAF. When I was young there were very few female military pilots and it would have required a very thick skin to survive that world where undoubtably being female would have meant barrier after barrier. Mandy Hickson writes a fascinating book which reminded me of my journey up until she decided to take on that fight and she made a successful career as a fighter pilot. 

I don’t regret my decision as my personality is quite different and my path took me into nursing which taught me many relevant skills and allowed me to grow in a gentler way. I thank my time nursing and my mentors during my short time in this world for allowing me to grow and become someone who was ready to take on the world of commercial piloting.

I have had a few negative experiences but they are very few in comparison to the positive response I have had from being a female pilot. It is fantastic to see more girls finding the world of flying but we definitely need more. Yesterday I had a lovely day flying as part of an all female crew, myself as the captain, a new cadet second officer and a colleague who was observing on a return to work. We had so many excited passengers loving seeing three girls in the flight deck and it was great to hear these comments as they disembarked with smiles and enthusiasm. 

There will always be someone to put you down for their own personal reasons but the majority want to push you up and overall the experience is positive. 

Thanks for asking this question.

Kate

20 April, 2026 13:11