Senior Aircraftwoman Kate Hennigan
Job role: Flight Operations Assistant

Joined the RAF: 2003

Overseas travel: Belgium, USA, Iraq and Qatar

Career highlights:

• Working in air traffic in Basra alongside Iraqi civilians who were being trained by US forces to take over air traffic control
• Being trained as TAMPA (Tornado Advanced Mission Planning Aid) Assistant, helping to set up training mission equipment for Tornado squadrons in Arizona

‘I used to work as a mortgage adviser, but I’d always thought about joining the RAF. I was in the Air Cadets when I was younger and volunteered as a Civilian Instructor until I signed up.

‘I found working in a bank really high stress and I knew I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I should be. It just wasn’t fulfilling. The RAF appealed to me because it could offer more than a job – it was the life I wanted.

‘When I was thinking about which job I’d like to do, I knew that although I didn’t want to fly myself, I definitely wanted to be involved in that side of things. As a Flight Operations Assistant, you’re really in the middle and you get to see what’s going on. You go where the aircraft goes, so you get to see things that are on the news – but firsthand.

‘I’ve been in the RAF for just over three years, and I’ve had some really great travel opportunities. I’m now based at Lossiemouth in Scotland where I work on a Tornado squadron.’

Web Chat session with Senior Aircraftwoman Kate Hennigan - Wednesday 25 April 2007

All questions were moderated for content and suitability.

JamesK: What’s the longest you’ve been away from your family and mates and what was that like?

Kate Hennigan: The longest time in total is 4 months (which is when I was in Basra). It was difficult at first (you can't deny that something like that isn't going to be). But everyone's in the same boat, so it's quite easy to get in to the swing of things really. And you basically have to. When I went to Basra, it probably took me about 3 or 4 days to realise that I was going to be there for that amount of time. I knew I had to just get down to work. They make it quite easy in that you get 20 minutes of free calls a week (it's 30 minutes now). And there's access to the internet all the time. You've got an ebluey system so you can type out a letter and they get it the next day and vice versa. Post is the biggest morale booster that's the highlight of the day when the post arrives. Once you get in to work you don't really have time to worry about home.

Chris G: Hi Kate, i have just applied for flight ops assistant and have my tests1 week today for it, where have you been based and what type of things have you done?

Kate Hennigan: Hi Chris, I'm on the second tour at Lossiemouth at the moment, but I've done various jobs within Lossie. I first started on station ops where we did the ops for the whole station. I worked in flight planning (where we promugate all the Notams ((which is all the warnings for the aircraft such as 'active danger areas' for example)) for the squadrons). And then I've also worked in ATC (Air Traffic Control). And I now work in 14 Squadron ops where I do the ops solely for the squadron.

dani206: Im wanting to go into the Branch of Flight Ops, whats the best part of the job?

Kate Hennigan: Obviously within flight ops we go wherever the aircraft are. So you'll find you get to go to a lot of places round the world. So I'd say travel is the best part. And also, you get to know exactly what's going on because you're right in the middle of everything.

Joanne: I am going to OASC on 1st July, and am struggling to remember all the information about all the planes, any tips to remember them all?

Kate Hennigan: I'd probably say if you can get to visit any stations where they have aircraft. Because then you've visited it - it will stick in your mind more. You can get a lot of aircraft magazines. the internet can give you alot of info as well. The RAF news, that will give a lot of info about anything new that's coming in. (That's very readable as well, it's good for people who aren't in the RAF as well).

Scott Fletcher: Hiya, I have my Airman Selection Test at the AFCO tomorrow morning. Can you tell me what to expect and how best to prepare from your own experience?

Kate Hennigan: Don't try to be something you're not because they'll pick up on it straight away. If you don't know the answer just tell them straight away. Don't 'um and ah' because that looks bad. Selection test - answer the questions you definitely know and go back to more difficult ones. Don't panic! Because that'll just stop you from being able to think straight. And good luck!

Dani206: Hi i was woundering what, trade trainings really like and does it have alot of maths in it?

Kate Hennigan: Trade training is difficult if you make it difficult by not concentrating on a task. It's interesting and they make it quite a lot of fun. There are exams which if you're not prepared for you're not going to pass. And you do simulated physical tasks as well. EG; they'll put you in a pretend air traffic tower and throw tasks at you (which if you're prepared you'll do well no problem). With regards to maths - as long as you have a fairly reasonable grasp on maths you won't have a problem. You don't have to be a mathematician.

Anny: My husband is fully supportive of me but he has some worries about service accommodation. Is it really as bad as some people say?

Kate Hennigan: I don't actually live in married quarters. But I have friends who do. And as far as I've seen the accomodation is fine.

danielG: i am not sure what career to enter into with the raf how did you choose to become a flight operations assistant?

Kate Hennigan: Because I wanted to be within a trade which allowed me to know what's going on because I'm a bit nosey! Within flight ops you go where the aircraft goes. Travel is a big thing for me. Even though I didn't want to fly it's the job to support flying tasks and is very fulfilling.

Anny: Hi Kate. I have just applied for the air force but i am a little paranoid about my financial commitments i already have. Is it hard to survive on initial pay? I have a husband to look after!!

Kate Hennigan: When I joined up I was 24 so I also had financial commitments. But they were ones I could manage fairly easy. Even though initial pay was a little lower than my previous job. You do manage. As long as your financial committments aren't so great that it would stop you from joining the airforce.

Scott Fletcher: How did you find your initial recruit training?

Kate Hennigan: I felt quite prepared having been in the Air cadets. BUt that's not the only way to prepare yourself. As long as you've got a good head on your shoulders and you know that you're going to have to do things you don't particularly want to (eg getting up at 5am!), you should find it quite doable. I found it stressful at times, but the majority I really enjoyed it. I met some great friends (one of which I'm meeting up with for the first time since trade training tonight!)

hardy_158: what aircraft do you fly with?

Kate Hennigan: 14 Squadron fly Tornado GR4's. This is a reconnaisance aircraft.

Marianne: What if you are a little over-weight, would this stop you from being able to get into the RAF for a career?

Kate Hennigan: I would suggest if you know you're overweight - go to the doctor and find out what weight you need to be for your height. But during basic training, even if you're not as fit as the rest of them you do PT (Physical training) all the time so you are going to make the grade. (Hopefully!)

Ghetto Superstar: Hi Kate, do you still get to go home regularly, you seem to have done a lot of travelling?

Kate Hennigan: Yeah I get to go home as often as I need to - to be honest. I'm from about 500 miles away from Lossie - so I don't tend to go home all that often. But I do get home when I want to. (Unless I'm detached away).

Clare: what would happen if you joined up to do a trade and realized you didn't like it...could you swap?

Kate Hennigan: You can re-muster to another trade, but I would think seriously about what trade you definitely want to do. Because it can be difficult and also depends on how open the trade is that you want to go in to.

Anny: Do you enjoy the air force life with regards to making friends, living on base, going out etc? I can be a quiet person sometimes, a bit of a thinker and i dont want people to think in boring!!!

Kate Hennigan: Airforce life is very different from Civvy life in a good way (and obviously in not so good ways too). You'll probably live in the block on camp, so you'll be living with your colleagues and other females from other trades. So it's really easy to get to know other people. Every single camp have many clubs you can join. So if you like sport, theatre, music there's a lot of opportunities there to meet people as well. But obviously you don't have to do this. It's up to you.

heather: Hey Kate. I'm only 16 and really want to join the army when i'm older. I want to be a pilot and am joining air cadets. It says i need 5 GCSE's above C which i should get (hopefully) then 2 A levels Eng language and maths so if i take them at college and go to air cadets could i apply for when i'm 17??

Kate Hennigan: Hi Heather - if you take a look at the website it gives loads of details (RAF careers website!)

Roddy: Hi Kate, i am interested in the aircrew side of the RAF, i would like to be a pilot or a weapon systems operator. Do non-commisioned aircrew have to have 20/20 vision?

Kate Hennigan: Pretty much as above check the website. Also you can call a helpline (also listed on the website - sorry I don't have this detailed information). 0845 605 5555.

dani206: When you are coming out of trade training and go onto your first posting does it take time to get into the swing of things and meet new people?

Kate Hennigan: When I got to Lossiemouth I did on the job training and I was never left to work by myself until I had passed trade assessment tests. They give you plenty of training during trade training. So you should feel fairly confidant going to your first post. And there's always people around you to help. Meeting new people is easy. Because everybody's been in your position. And I found people were very willing to show me the ropes and show me round. And show me where the best social places were.

Chris G: with your job, what do u do in a average day?

Kate Hennigan: Well, I work shifts at the moment. So on an early shift, I'll get up about 5.15am. Open up the squadron. And ensure the crew have everything they need before they go flying. They'll give me their flight details, which I'll disseminate to the people who need to know. When the crew land I'll debrief their sortie (on the computer that is). Which will keep their flying currencies (I mean that they're up to date with their own flying tasks) up to date. I'll also prepare their flying boards for the next day. With all the notams (see above at the top of transcript!), that they need to be aware of. We also have a lot of statistics to do. Which just lets us a squadron know where we are in the flying task. This basically means we know we're up to date with everything and we're flying enough hours to give the crew the training they need. A late shift may finish at 10pm to 1am! It depends really.

LittleKate: You said you joined up at 24, did you find on basic training that most of people were younger than you?

Kate Hennigan: Most of them were yeah. I found it a little weird sharing a room with a lot of younger people. BUt I think as long as you're prepared for that which I was, it doesn't make a difference what age people are, because everyone's in the same boat.

Anny: What is initial traininig like with regards to team spirit and helping each other through?

Kate Hennigan: During initial training they promote working as a team quite a lot. But you'll work as a team automatically because you need eachother to get through it. And as you are all at the same stage, there's no sort of competition I suppose. There was a lot of team spirit during mine and everyone helped eachother.

Mat Jolly: Hi Kate. How physically fit do you feel you would need to be entering your initial training and did you have any sort of fitness regime yourself before starting training?

Kate Hennigan: I would say - get as fit as you can (but don't worry if you're not Mr Motivator). Even if it's just jogging every other day. You do have to pass fitness tests now to join. But these are fairly easy. It involves a lot of running during training. So I would say if you're not feeling physically confidant, you need to work more on your running than anything else. In the months leading up to me doing my training I used to go to the gym about 3 times a week.

becks: My partner is in the RAF Regt and we're getting married next year. I'm really interested in joining as a medical assistant but I'm concerned that we may end up at other ends of the country. How accomodating are the RAF to couples?

Kate Hennigan: When you're married they do try and locate you within the same area. Obviously as long as the jobs are available.

Mat Jolly: What has been the heardest thing to deal with since you joined and how did you overcome it?

Kate Hennigan: I'd probably say being away from my partner so much. Because he is on a flying squadron as well. We are currently on our fourth consecutive month apart. But this is not normal. This is just our circumstance at the moment.

Tim3: What type of person do you think u need 2 be - 2 be a Flght Ops Assistant?

Kate Hennigan: You have to be a multi-tasker. You have to be able to think on your feet. Because you've got different things coming in all the time. You've got a squadron who basically rely on you before they go flying. You've got to get everything done to allow them to fly legally. Say for example you are asked book in to a low flying system; you need to get a booking number for that flight before they take off. Actually before they walk to the aircraft! You've got to be a perfectionist in a way. You'll be plotting the notams (which are all the warnings the aircrew need before they fly). To make sure they don't fly through danger areas, or in to anyone else. Or royal flights).

JamesK: What was it like working with the Iraqi civillians when you were in Basra? Was it hard because of any cultural differences? Did you have to learn the language?

Kate Hennigan: I really liked working with them. Becuase it was nice to see them rather than hear about them on the news. They are really educated, friendly, really likeable people. And it kind of humbled you because they've gone through so much. And they're still going through so much. Especially training to take over air traffic out there. They spoke English so I didn't have to learn the language (they did teach me a few words, but I've forgotten them now!). With regards to cultural difference, you had to be aware of their situation and their cultures so you adapt your behaviour so as not to offend them.

LittleKate: My husband is a corporal and I'm considering joining up as an officer, some people have said this might be difficult due to the social 'gap' between officers and airmen, have you come across this situation and how did the couple deal with it?

Kate Hennigan: It's only difficult if you make it. As long as you're not in his direct line of management it shouldn't be a problem. With regards to him going in to the officer's mess there may be issues. Because he's a serving Corporal. But I would say officers and Airman get on just as much as they get on with eachother in my experience.

Rhena: Can it get lonley as a single person in the RAF?

Kate Hennigan: Not really because you've got everyone else around you. It's only lonely if you don't involved yourself in things. But you don't have to married or have another half.

raf 11: hi i was wondering wot did u hav 2 do in basra

Kate Hennigan: I was an Air Traffic Control Assistant. So I assisted the Air Trafficers in their tasks. We had to listen out on varoius different radios. And direct vehicles around the airfield as the air trafficers are too busy with the aircraft to do this. I did also guard out there which was on the internal gates. We did this three times a month. And it was a further check that no-one was on the base or airfield that shouldn't have been.

Mat Jolly: I am interested in joining the RAF Police. Do you know how much the RAF Police get to travel compared to other trades?

Kate Hennigan: Everyone gets the same travel opportunities. Obviously some trades are different. And as far as I'm aware the police may do a 4 month detachment every three years. But I would double check with the AFCO (careers centre) regards to that.

Charly: Do you have to be very confident to succeed in the RAF?

Kate Hennigan: As long as you're not extremely shy, you should be fine. But everyone's got the ability to succeed whether they're very confidant or a little quieter.

Beckie--x: What do you want to do in 10 years time?

Kate Hennigan: Within the RAF and especially in my trade there's quite a lot of varied jobs that I can do. Such as working air traffic rather than ops. I could work on search and rescue squadrons. Or I could go for a commission if I wanted to and hopefully stay in my trade. Or I could go in to a completely different trade. I don't really know at this point. The squadron I'm on is new to me. And I'm still getting to know this part of my trade. Who knows!

Beckie--x: Hi Kate, have you ever done any other RAF jobs?

Kate Hennigan: Well I suppose training up as TAMPA assistant is not usual as an SAC in my trade. My trade is quite varied. So it feels like I've done a lot of RAF jobs. The trade that I'm in now is the one I want to stay in. So I'm not looking at doing anything outside my trade.

Kate Hennigan: Thanks for all your questions. It's been an experience!

Views expressed during the web chats are those of individuals and do not necessarily reflect RAF policy.