Meet Catherine
I first flew in a light aircraft as an ATC cadet, aged 13, with Queens UAS in Belfast. During that flight I decided that I wanted a career in aviation as a pilot. In conflict with my family’s wishes, I pursued this and completed an RAF flying scholarship in Dundee, flying my first solo aged 16. I also completed an Air League flying scholarship in Newtownards and joined Northumbrian UAS. On applying to join the RAF I was awarded a bursary as a Navigator (rather than pilot), which I accepted as I felt at least I would continue to fly. Unfortunately during training, a significant spinal injury led to me losing my fast jet ejection seat category and I was medically discharged from the RAF. With my dream shattered and career over, I had a deterioration in my mental health and developed depression. I went on to pursue a career in healthcare as a physio and took up sailing instead, but always dreamt of flying. In time my spine recovered and I joined the army as a doctor with the RAMC in 2009.
I applied to Aerobility initially for a trial flight, through a military veteran scheme. When I was medically discharged from the army in 2017 with recurrent depression I struggled to find motivation for finding work or indeed for living life, as I felt I had lost my confidence and purpose. Through H4H I tried out a few sports and activities but none fulfilled me or recreated the enthusiasm and passion that I had for flying as a teenager. I was introduced to Aerobility when I attended a veterans event at Gatwick Airport where BA was offering airline simulator flights. Unfortunately it then took me 18 months to pluck up the courage to apply for the experience flight due to my MH. My expectation was to fly once or twice just to enjoy the experience as a passenger; as with a history of depression requiring medication I did not think gaining a PPL was possible.
My Aerobility experience flight in a PA28 was fantastic and I was buzzing for days afterwards. I was encouraged to apply for the scholarship, but given my concerns over eligibility for a pilots medical certificate I wanted to explore that first. An AME who is familiar with Aerobility reassured me and explained that although it could be a long process, I might gain a class 2 medical and that he believed rekindling my passion for flying would be instrumental in improving my mental health. I was awarded the scholarship and meanwhile pursued the medical. It took six months in order to change my medications, complete physical and psychiatric assessments and a medical flight test, until I was awarded my Class 2 medical on NYE. This meant I could progress to solo flying and aim towards gaining a PPL. Aerobility maintained their enthusiasm and encouragement throughout this time and I completed a number of training flights with an instructor. I was lucky to be awarded a second 5 hour scholarship to continue my progression.
Initially I had hoped to just enjoy being in the air again in a light aircraft. With a possibility of a class 2 medical the aim to get a PPL then became my goal. Having recently achieved flying solo with Aerobility and progressing with my written exams, I hope to complete my PPL in March. Through the charity I have met lots of pilots who have introduced me to potential future opportunities. I am excited at the prospect of continuing flying training post PPL with night and instrument ratings and an aerobatics qualification. My dream is to fly vintage aircraft, especially old military warbirds and undertake some aviation adventures. Eventually I would like to be a flying instructor.
My main fear was being unable to gain a medical certificate allowing me to fly solo due to my health condition. With that overcome for now, my aim is to maintain my wellbeing and keep my mental health stable so that I can continue to fly.