Breaking Barriers: Aviation Success Stories
Explore first-hand accounts of individuals overcoming adversity to forge successful careers in aviation, despite facing disabilities. These case studies exemplify resilience, determination, and passion for the skies. Join us in celebrating diversity and breaking down barriers within the aviation industry.
Alex Dickinson
Job Title: Flight Operations Support
Tell us about your career.
I have always had a passion for aviation but grew up wondering if my dream would ever come true given my autism diagnosis at the age of 7. Thankfully I had the support of a great school and supportive parents.
For the last decade I have been working within the aviation industry in flight operations. During that time, I’ve worked for organisations such as Air Malta and Swissport. He currently works for a specialized airline working across Europe.
Despite my challenges to date I hold aviation qualifications, focusing mostly on operations and management, including one Level 2 qualification, two Level 3 qualifications, a foundation degree and a first class bachelor’s degree.
How did you navigate obstacles?
Despite the fact I love my career, it hasn’t been without it’s challenges. Early in my career I worked for an organisation that weren’t so accommodating of my disability. I ended up leaving the organisation and the process took it’s toll on my mental health.
I am also aware that I was lucky with the support I received growing up. I am aware that there are people in similar situations that would miss out on that support. Therefore, I am in the process of starting my own organisation which will offer advice and support to people with disabilities to help them live their lives.
In my daily work life I aim to change perceptions by leading by example and taking the time to educate others.
My main goal is to one day become a commercial pilot. I have started this process and am now 40 hours into training for my Private Pilots Licence (PPL).
Lucy Robbins
Job Title: Aviation and regulation proof reader for Trust Flight.
Tell us about your career.
My role involves working as part of a small team to maintain regulatory documents from key stakeholders including the FAA and EASA. I use my attention to detail to confirm the system is accurate and up-to-date. Regulatory compliance is fundamental is to the safe running of Trust Flight, so I meticulously ensure quality through designing key documentation, including checklists, to help Trust Flight remain compliant.
How did you navigate any obstacles?
I have Cerebral Palsy which most notably affects my speech, therefore I didn’t believe aviation was an industry I could access due to my disability.
After previously having negative experiences with the recruitment process, I covered up my disability during my interview with Trust Flight. However, after the interview I realised, I didn’t need to worry about this as my time at Trust Flight has been the most positive experience. They have an open and accepting work culture, which fosters a two-way conversation around disability and the support an individual requires to perform their duties.
What do you wish employers in aviation knew?
The lack of understanding causes fear. I think employers expect people with disabilities to have loads of time off sick and cost them lots of money, but they don’t realise that we are some of the hardest workers. If we have the right things in place to help us work, we perform just as well, if not better than, our abled bodied colleagues.
Chris Lynch
Job Title: Filmmaker and Presenter
Tell us about your career.
My career in media has spanned over 20 years, but my passion for aviation has been lifelong, hence my decision to focus on drone cinematography. I have recently gained my commercial license for drone operation. This has afforded me the freedom to explore my creativity and allowed me to participate fully within an industry that I love. My content has been exhibited across independent film, network TV and a variety of commercial campaigns.
How did you navigate any obstacles?
Being a wheelchair user, I struggled with my role as a camera operator, often feeling like I needed four arms; two to push myself and two to hold the camera. This led me to seek opportunities that played to my strengths and passion for aviation, which began my journey to acquire my commercial drone pilots licence. It’s been a breath of fresh air to be able to do something that adds real value to a production and I can make work around my disability.
Brian Wheeler
Job Title: Deputy General Manager at NATS
Tell us about your career.
I had always dreamt of becoming a professional pilot and applied to the British Airways cadet scheme following my A Levels but unfortunately I was not selected. Still determined, I learnt to fly in Belgium and the USA, obtaining my Private Pilots Licence in July 1991. Having not been selected by British Airways, I turned my attention to other roles within the aviation industry and joined the RAF as an Air Traffic Control Officer before joining NATS as a radar controller.
How did you navigate any obstacles?
In May 2018 my life changed overnight when a catastrophic disc failure in my lower back left me instantly paralysed, a rare condition called Cauda Equina Syndrome. This required emergency surgery after which I was told it was unlikely I would ever walk again. After months of rehabilitation I re-learnt to walk and returned to work at NATS as the Deputy General Manager of en-route operations.
How did your employer support you?
The support I received from NATS, throughout this life-changing event, has been first class. Less than 20% of people who suffer a spinal cord injury return to full-time employment. NATS were proactive in their approach to reasonable adjustments, and those adjustments enabled me to continue my career, and for that I am hugely grateful. I now sit on the disability forum at NATS and work to ensure that NATS and the wider industry becomes more accessible.
