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Career Profile - Flight Lieutenant Charli Fenn
Flight Lieutenant Charli Fenn, Royal Air Force
Flight Lieutenant Charli Fenn joined the RAF after completing a Masters in Aerospace Engineering with French.
Sponsored by the RAF during her studies at the University of Bath, Charli was a member of the University Air Squadron in nearby Bristol. She is currently on her first tour of duty at RAF Kinloss near Inverness, where she provides support to squadrons of Nimrod aircraft.
“After university I found my Officer training really refreshing. I had a fantastic time and made friends that I know I’ll keep forever. The training also gave me the confidence to come into this job where I’m responsible for seventy-two people and millions of pounds’ worth of aircraft.
If a pilot has a technical problem with his aircraft, I send my trusted engineers to investigate. It’s then up to me to decide whether or not the aircraft is safe to fly; I need to balance the need to keep our aircraft flying with the need to ensure safety.
Earlier this year I went to Puerto Rico with the Squadron. When the aircraft go away, a team of engineers go along to support them. It’s brilliant – you’re there purely to generate serviceable Nimrods to fly missions; that’s it. You’re totally focused on what you’re doing. Everyone pulls together in the same direction, working as a team to get the job done.
Of course, there’s more to the job than engineering. I pretty much know what an engine does, but I’m trained to manage the personnel side, too. Like when someone’s child or partner is ill, or when I have to send someone to work overseas at a moment’s notice – those are the kind of challenges I have to deal with on a daily basis.
I’ve recently undertaken adventurous training in the USA, walking the Appalachian Trail. As well as walking I took on mountain biking, canoeing and pony trekking. I pushed myself hard, and as well as bonding with the rest of the team I discovered a lot more about myself. There’s no way I’d have this level of responsibility on a civilian graduate scheme.”
For more advice on ROYAL AIR FORCE Careers, Call 0845 605 5555 or visit WWW.RAF.MOD.UK/CAREERS
