New member spotlight
Name: Flt Lt Philip Littlehales MRAeS, 28
Location: RAF Waddington.
Job title: RAF Pilot.
What inspired you into aviation? From a young age I have always been looking up to the skies with longing and awe. I still remember the feeling of joy and wonder after my father took me to my first air show as a child. Seeing those exceptional pilots demonstrating flawless manoeuvres, I knew that’s where I wanted to be, up among the clouds. From then on, my passion grew, from building my first Spitfire model, to flying my first aircraft at 16.
What is the best thing about your current role? As a military pilot I have a unique journey though aviation, with so many avenues for me to explore and develop, whether that be front-line flying, instruction of the next generation of pilots or even into the world of test and evaluation. Currently my role allows me a very hands-on approach to flying that other aviation jobs may not, while still giving the opportunity to fly all over the world, working with some of the best people and commercial partners in our industry.
What made you join the Royal Aeronautical Society? While studying for my engineering degree I was a student member, which allowed me to attend local lectures, further grounding the knowledge I was learning, while also seeing the practical applications of advancements in the aerospace industry. It was this desire to further my knowledge and the opportunities to network with like-minded people that inspired me to join the Royal Aeronautical Society while I was studying and now again into my professional life.
What do you hope to get out of your membership with the RAeS? We live in a fast-paced age full of innovation and technological advancement. Being part of the RAeS will allow me to stay at the forefront of these advancements while allowing me to offer my own ideas from my experience so I can be involved in shaping the future of aviation.
What three items would you take with you to the space station? With the views of our planet and the surrounding galaxy I would want to be in comfort so I could truly enjoy what lay ahead of me. So, it would have to be a good book, so I could let my imagination run away, my most comfortable blanket and finally it would be a nice golden single malt to sit back and enjoy the spectacular views to.
What’s your favourite aircraft? My favourite aircraft is the SR-71. The aircraft was an incredible feat of engineering which is still to be matched even today, holding many records and for the people that flew the aircraft offering a truly unique experience and perspective of our world. Even now the aircraft is still covered in mystery, with lots of stories out there which may or may not be true, which, for me, only adds to its status.
Who is your biggest inspiration? It’s difficult to narrow down to one single person, so I would have to say all my instructors who took me through the early stages of my training and career. Many of them were experienced and exceptional front-line pilots themselves, now giving up their time and knowledge to train the next generation of military pilots. They were always there to support and encourage me so I could achieve my full potential. In the future I hope I can do the same and inspire a generation to take up the challenges of aerospace and aviation.
Piece of advice for someone looking to enter your field? My biggest piece of advice is to jump in head-first and take on every opportunity you can. The aerospace sector and aviation world is so diverse, offering so much. I am always finding new, exciting ventures, that until recently I was unaware of and I’m sure, as I pursue my journey through aviation, I will continue to discover more, as will so many of us.