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Meet Charlotte the pilot

September 1, 2019 by Louise Jones 8 Comments

The first time Charlotte Knowlson flew a solo flight that involved landing at a new and unfamiliar airport, she needed to re-fuel for her return to base. Filling up for the flight back might not sound that remarkable, but when you discover that Charlotte could fly a plane before driving a car, her first ever experience at the pumps was pretty awesome.

Known on social media as “Charlotte the Pilot” – also the name of her blog – 29 year old Charlotte is now a commercial airline pilot, who flies the Airbus 320 family (319/320/321) as a First Officer.

I stumbled across Charlotte on Twitter, and have enjoyed her articulate, honest and fascinating tweets about life as a pilot ever since.

Charlotte’s first time flying a twin engine plane – the Piper PA-44 Seminole, during her pilot training at Falcon Field, Arizona

An inspiration for future aviators, it’s people like Charlotte who will help grow the global community of women in aviation (at present, just 5% of all pilots are women). There wasn’t always a gender equal foundation for careers in the clouds, as can be illustrated by the fact that the Boeing 747 entered into service in 1970, but wasn’t captained by a woman (Captain Beverly Lynn Burns) until July 18, 1984.

Thankfully, the sky is no longer the limit for anyone, and airlines around the world are actively encouraging women to fly.

Intrigued to learn more about Charlotte’s journey into flying, I asked if she would talk about her experience for my blog, and was thrilled when she agreed.

After completing her A Levels, Charlotte spent time traveling while working as a wakeboard instructor, before studying for an aerospace engineering degree. Two years in, a bad wakeboarding accident resulted in Charlotte having time off to recover, and gave her space to think. She realized that university wasn’t making her happy. She’d always wanted to be a pilot but couldn’t afford the hefty cost of training, so started working for a luxury PR company in London. Then, her dream of flying became a reality.

I’ll hand over to Charlotte who will share her story. Charlotte, you have control!

When did you know that flying was for you?

My father had a share in an aircraft at our local airport (Bembridge) near to where I grew up on the Isle of Wight. He took me up one day when I was very young, and I remember holding the controls and looking out over the white cliffs thinking, I want to be able to do this. And that was it!

Charlotte flying the approach to Chandler Memorial Airfield, Arizona

Did you, or do you have a role model who inspired you to fly?

I didn’t have a role model as such, I didn’t know much about flying and you don’t see female pilots that often! I guess my father was the one who inspired me. He’d take me to airshows. I always wanted to be a Red Arrow!

What was your route into flying commercially?

I decided that the integrated course was best for me. I applied for the CAE Oxford Aviation Academy when I was 18 and was due to start but my funding fell through. Eight years later I applied again, took the assessments on the Monday and started on the Friday! I became a CAE cadet, and graduated as a CAE pilot.

The moment Charlotte gained her Commercial Pilot License (CPL) in the Piper PA-44 Seminole at Falcon Field, Arizona

When did you first go solo?

This was at Falcon Field, Arizona, where pilots in training take to the skies for the first time once they have completed six months of ground school.  I’d done about 15 hours flying in the Piper PA-28 Cherokee, and it was a beautiful cloudless Arizona day in December 2016.

What did it feel like?

Like a blur! You learn so much, so fast, and once your instructors think you’re ready, they just say ‘off you go’. I was repeating every stage of the circuit in my head as I was going round. It is the best feeling ever when you land and taxi back on your own, shut the engine down and walk away thinking, I just flew that, up there, on my own!

What aircraft do you fly? Tell us a bit about it.

I fly the Airbus 320 family. It’s a lovely aeroplane to fly. They all handle quite differently, especially if you’re flying a very light/heavy one. You almost have to learn each one’s personality. The side stick didn’t actually take as long as I thought to get used to and now I rather like it.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is if you face an abnormal situation. We are trained for this, and get lots of regular practice at dealing with high stress and workload scenarios.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The feeling I have every time I climb out through the clouds into the blue sky. I don’t know if it’s just me but it puts a smile on my face every time.

What advice would you give to anyone aspiring to be a pilot?

You’ve got to be prepared to work hard and fail sometimes. The training and the learning never stops. It takes a huge amount of determination just to get through initial training and then when you get a job you’re tested at least every six months. The pace of training is like trying to drink from a fire hose. People learn at different rates and no one ever has a perfect flight. Remember that you’re human and all you can do is learn from every experience.

Any specific advice to women wanting to pursue a career in aviation?

Don’t be put off by anyone telling you, you can’t do it or shouldn’t. If you’re worried that it’s not suited to family life, it can work just fine, as I’ve seen from my colleagues.

What’s your favourite…

… take-off or landing

Landing, as it’s always a challenge

…destination as a pilot?

So far, Hurghada – the vast expanse of dessert is really cool.

… destination for a break?

In Europe it would have to be north-west Majorca – sunshine and hiking combined with beach days and great food. In the world, Bali. I just love a beautiful island where you can surf. The people are lovely.

… plane of all time?

The Spitfire – it’s a beautiful machine.

… in-flight meal?

The scones with cream and jam (jam first). We sometimes get them if there are any left!

Thank you so much for giving us an insight into your flying career so far, Charlotte! You can follow Charlotte’s flying adventure (and other adrenaline filled activites) on Instagram, Twitter, and her blog.

A keen climber, this is Charlotte climbing Snowdon – her fifth mountain

Filed Under: Aviation Tagged With: avgeek, cae, cae cadet, female pilot, pilot, women in aviation

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Danie van Rooyen says

    September 2, 2019 at 12:41 pm

    I enjoy following Charlotte on Twitter. She posts interesting articles and pictures. Her love for flying comes out in her tweets one reads. Perhaps one day I would be honoured to fly with BA and have Charlotte in the left hand seat! Keep up the good work you are doing and best of luck for your future! Yes to “Girl Power!”

    Reply
    • Louise Jones says

      September 2, 2019 at 10:48 pm

      Hi Danie, thank you for stopping by my blog! It’s great to have you here. I think you’re spot on about Charlotte’s love for flying shining through in her tweets. Her passion for aviation is clear, and she’s such an inspiration for the future generation of aviators. Louise

      Reply
  2. Gerry Ward says

    September 2, 2019 at 5:06 pm

    Great article I follow Charlotte’s experiences on Twitter and love reading her honest blogs…brilliant

    Reply
    • Louise Jones says

      September 2, 2019 at 10:44 pm

      Thanks Gerry. I’m (obviously!) a big fan of Charlotte too. Like you, I love her honesty, and the interesting insights she shares about life as a pilot. Thanks so much for visiting my blog! Louise

      Reply
  3. Kathy Sowka says

    September 2, 2019 at 11:49 pm

    Thanks for the article! I enjoy following Charlotte on Twitter. May she continue to soar!✈️

    Reply
    • Louise Jones says

      September 3, 2019 at 10:10 pm

      Hi Kathy, you’re welcome, and absolutely – I’m also looking forward to watching Charlotte soar! ✈️

      Reply
  4. Jennifer Quinn says

    September 4, 2019 at 9:55 pm

    Charlotte’s story is inspiring & she is a great role model to all girls & young women. All the airport toys in the shops for children (over here in Australia anyway) are still piloted by males! Attitudes in society on a global level are changing albeit very slow, it’s great to see Charlotte held steadfast to her dreams & is paving the way for the future generations.

    Reply
    • Louise Jones says

      September 5, 2019 at 9:49 pm

      Hi Jen, you’ve summed it up perfectly. Charlotte is a true inspiration, and I’m sure that other females will become pilots because she has paved the way. Yep, plane toys need some women pilots!

      Reply

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Hello, I’m Louise. Welcome to my blog! .A self-confessed lover of aviation and travel, I started this blog to reveal the people who make the aviation industry what it is. These pages are now home to the stories of famous figures from the flying world. When not writing, I am adventuring with my family. I've worked at Hilton, the BBC, British Airways, easyJet, and Virgin Atlantic, and I currently work for a global management consultancy leading marketing and communications. Read More…

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