Extraordinary People: Mandy Hickson
The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan
Spiritland Creative
4.5 • 1.5K Ratings
🗓️ 19 September 2023
⏱️ 69 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Trigger Warning: Miscarriage is discussed in this episode, so please take care whilst listening.
We are finishing our mini-series featuring extraordinary people with inspiring stories to tell by hearing from former RAF fast jet pilot, Mandy Hickson.
Mandy always dreamed of following in her grandfather’s footsteps and becoming a pilot, but in her early adulthood, this was simply not an option: women were not allowed to be pilots in the RAF. But as soon as that rule changed, there was no stopping Mandy! She became only the second female to fly a Tornado GR4 on the front line, and in her career, she completed 45 missions over Iraq and three duty tours.
In this episode, Mandy speaks about how difficult it is to become a fighter pilot (regardless of gender), what it was like knowing she was a test case and how she overcame that, what the military taught her about unselfish behaviour and how there is always more to be gained from working as a team, as well as what it was like juggling being a mum with a high-pressure role in the air force, and the issues this still poses for female fast jet pilots today.
Since leaving the RAF, Mandy has set up her own business and travels the country speaking at schools and businesses and sharing all she’s learned. Mandy has also published a memoir, An Officer Not A Gentleman.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | As Nigel opened his Amazon parcel, it was in love at first sight, sleek design and effortless cornering. |
| 0:07.0 | This vacuum cleaner screamed quality and for a price lower than he ever dreamed. |
| 0:12.0 | Five stars from Nigel. |
| 0:15.0 | With star reviews from you and star prices from us, start your search on Amazon today. |
| 0:22.0 | Today's episode of The Midpoint is brought to you by SpexAvers Hearing. |
| 0:26.0 | Experts in Audiology. |
| 0:28.0 | Everyone's hearing is different, some may lose high notes, others struggle with low frequency sounds. |
| 0:33.0 | SpexAvers are all about rediscovering the joy of the ordinary, |
| 0:37.0 | whether that's a sound of mud squalching beneath your feet or the satisfying pop of popcorn. |
| 0:42.0 | I love it when I'm working in my office and I hear my dogs in deep sleep |
| 0:47.0 | and you hear that satisfying breath of theirs. |
| 0:50.0 | Or maybe when you open the window in the morning in the spring and you hear that beautiful bird song. |
| 0:56.0 | Well these are the joyous little sounds that SpexAvers hearing experts could help you rediscover. |
| 1:01.0 | They're there to help you find the incredible benefits of hearing again. |
| 1:05.0 | SpexAvers celebrate the joy of rediscovering these sounds and reflecting upon the sounds you might be missing. |
| 1:11.0 | Their hearing experts understand that everyone's hearing is different |
| 1:15.0 | and are here to provide the support you need. |
| 1:18.0 | Rediscover the joy of the ordinary and book a free hearing test at SpexAvers today. |
| 1:23.0 | This episode of The Midpoint is brought to you by British Airways Holidays. |
| 1:27.0 | Holidays, pretty special things aren't they? |
| 1:30.0 | For most of us they're the highlight of the year. |
| 1:32.0 | I know for me holidays are so important. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Spiritland Creative, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Spiritland Creative and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.