Extraordinary People: Mandy Hickson

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<p><em>Trigger Warning: Miscarriage is discussed in this episode, so please take care whilst listening.</em></p><br><p>We are finishing our mini-series featuring extraordinary people with inspiring stories to tell by hearing from former RAF fast jet pilot, Mandy Hickson.</p><br><p>Mandy always dreamed of following in her grandfather’s footsteps and becoming a pilot, but in her early adulthood, this was simply not an option: women were not allowed to be pilots in the RAF. But as soon as that rule changed, there was no stopping Mandy! She became only the second female to fly a Tornado GR4 on the front line, and in her career, she completed 45 missions over Iraq and three duty tours.</p><br><p>In this episode, Mandy speaks about how difficult it is to become a fighter pilot (regardless of gender), what it was like knowing she was a test case and how she overcame that, what the military taught her about unselfish behaviour and how there is always more to be gained from working as a team, as well as what it was like juggling being a mum with a high-pressure role in the air force, and the issues this still poses for female fast jet pilots today.</p><br><p>Since leaving the RAF, Mandy has set up her own <a href="https://www.mandyhickson.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">business</a> and travels the country speaking at schools and businesses and sharing all she’s learned. Mandy has also published a memoir, <a href="https://www.mandyhickson.com/aboutd55661df" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>An Officer Not A Gentleman</em></a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>