Historic Helicopters Get All Female Crew in 2021

The UK air show circuit where there has been a tendency for there to be ‘big boy’s toys’. Well move over… as ‘girl power’ is on the way.

Looking forward to 2021 the team at Historic Helicopters in Somerset are putting together an all-woman demonstration flight crew for one of their yellow former RAF Sea Kings.

Two former RAF Sea Kings at Historic Helicopters in Somerset, UK.

For many years when it comes to heavy military helicopter demonstrations then there may have been perhaps one female in a crew. However, CEO Andrew Whitehouse of Historic Helicopters feels that they can do much better when it comes to balancing up the sexes in this particular field of aviation.

Training is currently going ahead with the three women that have been chosen to take on this task.

One of which is Andrew’s partner Jane Gregory.  Herself a qualified helicopter pilot she is being trained to fly right hand seat in one of their 9ton Sea Kings. A helicopter brought back to airworthiness by their dedicated maintenance team at their rural base near Chard.

Girl Power In The Cockpit At Historic Helicopters

This aim to put together an all-female crew has been long in the Andrew’s mind. And whom has a record of bringing people into his organisation through a charity scholarship programme run by Historic Helicopters.

Andrew Whitehouse of Historic Helicopters near Chard in Somerset.

In the past there have been people that perhaps do not normally have the connections in the aviation world or have come from a disadvantaged backgrounds.

Andrew is keen to encourage these sorts of youngsters and develop them to forge careers in aviation. One girl recently went onto Leonardo helicopters at Yeovil and is now doing her degree.

Andrew said, “It would be nice to have a female crew. There are not enough girls flying.”

Historic Helicopters hanger.

He has lined up an extremely knowledgeable female pilot to head up the crew.

And added, “A former RAF 22 Squadron pilot that flew our Sea Kings, is a very experienced Sea King captain and keen to be involved.”

“My partner Jane is just starting her type rating. She will become second pilot. And we have a female crew person to complete our team.”

Sea King at Historic Helicopters near Chard in Somerset.

Jane who has also qualified on a twin jet turbine AW109 said, “There are female pilots out there but it will be novel for the air shows to fly with a complete female Sea King crew at events. We have had a lot of interest, when we say it will be an all-girl crew. It’s quite exciting and I’m looking forward to it.

Our Female Students Could Be Flying In The North Sea

Andrew went on to explain more of their scholarship plans, “In addition, we also have a further academy type programme to bring two girls up from PPL (Private Pilot’s Licence) right through to commercial.  They will learn on the Jet Ranger, then go to an AW109, twin turbine and then they could be type rated on our Sea Kings.”

“After that they could go on to fly and work anywhere in the heavy helicopter commercial sector.  Like the North Sea for instance.”

Historic Helicopters Sea King and much older Whirlwind HAR10.

“Jane has also inspired other younger girls after a group of Beaver Scouts visited the storage hanger. They were amazed when they found out that Jane was herself a qualified helicopter pilot!”

Historic Helicopters have even more former military helicopters to show off at air shows around the country.

They have the only air worthy former RAF Westland Whirlwind HAR10 in the World. Plus, a former Royal Navy Westland Wessex 5, which has been a bit of a TV and film star.  A recent purchase of Lynx plus a serviceable Commando Sea King too.

However, avid collector and helicopter fan Andrew is currently trying to acquire yet two more moth-balled Sea Kings from European government.

More big toys for both the boys and of course now the girls too.