Kibworth & Smeeton W I
At our October meeting Karen Atherton talked about her career as ‘One of the First Female Airline Pilots’.
Karen’s passion for flying began when, at 18, she had a trial lesson in a small Cessna. While at university studying for a maths degree, she applied to the University Air Squadron, the RAF Volunteer Reserve, where she was taught to fly at weekends. She experienced low-level flying, all kinds of acrobatics and formation flying. She was the first cadet in her group to gain her wings.
Female airline pilots
After university Karen began training as a chartered accountant, but only wanted to fly, so she went to work at Doncaster Airport to fly small aircraft and build up her flying hours. When airlines began to sponsor female pilots she applied and was selected for BA’s sponsored Future Pilot Programme. First a co-pilot, Karen then became Captain and is one of very few BA pilots qualified to make challenging landings, such as into London City Airport with its very steep descent onto a short runway. She flies on short-haul routes in Europe and the Middle East.
A pilot’s training is on-going to keep them up to date and to practise all emergency drills. Even the tiniest incidents are reported to ensure they can learn and improve.
Karen answered members’ questions, many about safety. Passengers need not fear turbulence because planes’ wings are constructed to withstand it. She used a model to demonstrate what happens if an engine fails. The pilot dips the nose down and they can fly like that for 200 miles. The landing can be a bit bumpy, but OK! Landings are usually only affected by crosswinds, but runways are constructed to the prevailing wind direction. SW in our case. Landing into the wind helps to reduce ground speed. Interestingly, Autopilot is generally only used in fog. It was a fascinating insight into the world of aviation.
Remembrance Sunday
Preparing for Remembrance Sunday, we will once again install our poppies in church, where they will remain until 27 November,
Pat Sharman
Fleckney Spinners
