A really interesting interview, thanks for the insight Mandy. I joined 74(F) as their LAC Ops Clerk in 1999, a really terrific insight into Pilot training. The ‘Bishop’ (OC 74) encouraged me to try and go for a Commission in the Pilot branch, he would put me forward, and after thinking about it for a short time I declined - a lack of confidence, plus I was very much a 19yr old boy and couldn’t envisage that kind of transition. In Trade Group 9 I later would take similar aptitude tests at Cranwell, and passed. I left as a Cpl 9yrs in, after starting flying training in civvy street. 17yrs flying airliners all over the world I still look back fondly at what I learned hanging around Mil Pilots, and still do fly with ex Service Pilots now. As a Junior Rank in the RAF there’ll always be a bit of imposter syndrome 😂 even approaching my third decade in the air. Truly interesting insight, and a ton of respect Mandy.
I think the greatest thing that got you through came from what your course mates thought of you: they clearly believed in you at a time when you felt a bit shaky. If they thought less of you, they wouldn't have bothered. That says so much that is good about you just as much as it does about them. Thanks for your service
Brilliant. The humility to realise that we all need support. The importance of the team. And the realisation that we all learn differently and how that needs to be incorporated into training. The gifts that females bring to the combat space needs much more recognition. That's not a plea to have females in every role, but to have the best person, regadless of gender, using their gifts for the good of all. Thank you for your service Mandy.
It's a great instructing technique to reduce a complex procedure down into something you are much more familiar with. Good job you knew how to ride a bike.
Thank you for this excellent video. I find this story inspiring. I have a daughter and like everyone I hope for her to have a great future so I love hearing about someone who seems to have done it.
I flew with a guy who gained his CPL at exactly 200 hours and when he applied to join the RNZAF was told he didn't have much of an aptitude for flying. I bet it was they didn't think he'd be good _hofficer_ material. I also flew with someone who did make it in and he was one of those jolly likeable popular people but his flying ability was nothing to write home about, nothing bad but not super fantastic. It's all about personality and how you score on the written tests. A certain airline had two applicants. One had 300 hours on a Cessna 172 and an Instrument Rating. The other one had 2,500 hours with just under 2,000 hours multi single pilot IFR time. The airline took the 300 hour Cessna guy and told the other one to go and get a few more hours before they would consider him again. 🤷♂
What a wonderful example to feminists everywhere. An woman who has achieved a great deal, but there's not a hint of doing down men. And someone who understands that honest humility can complement strength.
You do realise that this is one of a series of interviews of military personnel asking them for their defining career moments. They are not bragging to their mates down the pub.
This is a podcast series that asks people what lessons can be learnt and what personal development comes from dangerous or exciting experiences, maybe you need to read between the lines a bit more, or actually watch the videos properly
Who said she didn't talk about it, or make it public? Why wouldn't she be honest about her experiences. She's not shy coming forward and that's great because as she says, she wants to leave the ladder down, to show women that of course they can do just as well as men in this field.
Fighter pilots are not humble shrinking violets, they simply cannot afford to be. Mandy was standing on the shoulders of excellent ladies who were going through at the same time I did who were denied the chance to do fast jet track - she had to fight through a lot of flack that was going her way for no good reason and went on to be a superb combat pilot who changed attitudes in the service forever.
Great interview. Amazing that her classmates were willing to go so far to help her.
A really interesting interview, thanks for the insight Mandy.
I joined 74(F) as their LAC Ops Clerk in 1999, a really terrific insight into Pilot training. The ‘Bishop’ (OC 74) encouraged me to try and go for a Commission in the Pilot branch, he would put me forward, and after thinking about it for a short time I declined - a lack of confidence, plus I was very much a 19yr old boy and couldn’t envisage that kind of transition.
In Trade Group 9 I later would take similar aptitude tests at Cranwell, and passed. I left as a Cpl 9yrs in, after starting flying training in civvy street.
17yrs flying airliners all over the world I still look back fondly at what I learned hanging around Mil Pilots, and still do fly with ex Service Pilots now. As a Junior Rank in the RAF there’ll always be a bit of imposter syndrome 😂 even approaching my third decade in the air.
Truly interesting insight, and a ton of respect Mandy.
Yoof01 just curious where did you do your trade training, and when did you complete it? I completed my flight ops course in 99.
I think the greatest thing that got you through came from what your course mates thought of you: they clearly believed in you at a time when you felt a bit shaky. If they thought less of you, they wouldn't have bothered. That says so much that is good about you just as much as it does about them. Thanks for your service
Such an inspirational woman. 😊
Brilliant. The humility to realise that we all need support. The importance of the team. And the realisation that we all learn differently and how that needs to be incorporated into training. The gifts that females bring to the combat space needs much more recognition. That's not a plea to have females in every role, but to have the best person, regadless of gender, using their gifts for the good of all. Thank you for your service Mandy.
My elder daughter has pursued an extremely successful career for 20 years in the RAF. She echoes all the sentiments expressed here by Mandy.
I think this shows that there's more than one way to learn something. Look at how cheap it was to do this compared to flying to learn it!
It's a great instructing technique to reduce a complex procedure down into something you are much more familiar with. Good job you knew how to ride a bike.
Thank you for this excellent video. I find this story inspiring. I have a daughter and like everyone I hope for her to have a great future so I love hearing about someone who seems to have done it.
When the Instructor said "Wow you were like a different pilot, what has happened, I hope you replied "I just got on my bike" 🙂
Bless you marm, full of respect, thank you for your service 🫡
That was VERY interesting. Thank you.
Well done! Much respect!
A wonderful story.
Awesome
Respect.
I flew with a guy who gained his CPL at exactly 200 hours and when he applied to join the RNZAF was told he didn't have much of an aptitude for flying. I bet it was they didn't think he'd be good _hofficer_ material. I also flew with someone who did make it in and he was one of those jolly likeable popular people but his flying ability was nothing to write home about, nothing bad but not super fantastic. It's all about personality and how you score on the written tests.
A certain airline had two applicants. One had 300 hours on a Cessna 172 and an Instrument Rating. The other one had 2,500 hours with just under 2,000 hours multi single pilot IFR time. The airline took the 300 hour Cessna guy and told the other one to go and get a few more hours before they would consider him again. 🤷♂
What a wonderful example to feminists everywhere. An woman who has achieved a great deal, but there's not a hint of doing down men. And someone who understands that honest humility can complement strength.
The moment that made me….oh yeah I don’t talk about it, or make it public and lord it up
You do realise that this is one of a series of interviews of military personnel asking them for their defining career moments. They are not bragging to their mates down the pub.
This is a podcast series that asks people what lessons can be learnt and what personal development comes from dangerous or exciting experiences, maybe you need to read between the lines a bit more, or actually watch the videos properly
Who said she didn't talk about it, or make it public? Why wouldn't she be honest about her experiences. She's not shy coming forward and that's great because as she says, she wants to leave the ladder down, to show women that of course they can do just as well as men in this field.
Fighter pilots are not humble shrinking violets, they simply cannot afford to be. Mandy was standing on the shoulders of excellent ladies who were going through at the same time I did who were denied the chance to do fast jet track - she had to fight through a lot of flack that was going her way for no good reason and went on to be a superb combat pilot who changed attitudes in the service forever.