PILOT

Meet TRISH, a PILOT AT CareFlight, Darwin, Northern Territory.

Where did you go to school and what were your favourite subjects?

I did some of my primary school in Indonesia and then middle school and high school back in Australia. I attended high school in Darwin where my favourite subjects were chemistry and biology. So nothing aviation-related.

What was your first job in aviation?

I worked as a charter pilot based in Alice Springs working for a company called Charter.

What training did you need to do to secure your current job?

I needed a commercial pilot's license and I also completed a diploma in aviation. However, to get my current role, I also needed some experience. That means a certain amount of hours in different areas of flying. Once completed, I was able to apply as an aeromedical pilot.

Talk us through a typical day in your role?

When I get to work, I'll look at the weather forecasts. I'll also check over the aircraft and make sure it's safe and ready to fly for the day. I also check in with our operations team to see if any there are any jobs. If it’s quiet, I can relax until a job comes in. Once a job comes and a patient needs picking up because they are sick or injured I’ll be tasked on that mission. Typically we'll only take a flight nurse but if they are very sick we also take a flight doctor. Then we fly out, pick the patient up and transport them back to Darwin where they'll get further treatment at Royal Darwin Hospital. If they need more specialised help, they'll be flown in a jet aircraft interstate. Once we get back to base, I'll have the aircraft refuelled, do my paperwork and if there's still some time left in my shift, I wait for the next job.

What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

I get to go to some of the most remote corners of Australia - places that most people don't get to see. Being an Aeromedical pilot, I enjoy picking up patients who need our assistance. It's a very fulfilling role. We're not just transporting people from A to B, we're also giving them vital medical care.

What’s the least-favourite part of your job?

Night shifts can be quite tiring, especially at 2 or 3 in the morning. However, as pilots there are strict fatigue management systems. We can only work a set amount of hours with a certain amount of rest.

Did you plan to do your job when you were at school, or did you fall into it?

Yes and no I wanted to be a pilot in high school then changed my mind and somehow ended up in healthcare. I did a bachelor's degree in nursing, and became a registered nurse. It wasn't until my last year of university that I caught the flying bug again and started learning to fly.Fortunately, I finished my nursing degree - and I've done some nursing since, but flying has been my main career.

What do you do when not at work?

I play the piano and guitar. Occasionally I'll hire an aircraft and go for a private flight because it's always nice to fly to where you want to. I also enjoy doing a bit of graphic design on the side.

What advice would you give to the girls looking for a career in aviation?

Don’t be afraid. When we look at aviation, we think it's very male-dominated. That can feel intimidating. However, having worked in aviation now for eight years and occasionally being the only female in the workplace, it's not really an issue. You'll make some really, really good friends both male and female. You'll learn a lot from everyone and anyone.

The number of females in aviation is increasing, so hopefully you won't be alone. There is also increasing support from programs like Sky Careers, where you can get in touch with other women for support and guidance.

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