Alumni Spotlights
Laura Russell - Aerobatic Stunt Pilot & First Officer, Aer Lingus
Cork native Laura Russell is a first officer with Aer Lingus, an aerobatic stunt pilot and a flight instructor. In 2023 she made history after becoming the first Irish woman to compete at the World Advanced Aerobatic Championships in Las Vegas. We talk to Laura about ‘taking the scenic route’ in her flying career; a typical day as a pilot for Aer Lingus; and the many inspirational women she has met along the way.
What did you study at UCC?
I began studying at UCC in 2004 after getting a place on the Physics & Astrophysics degree course. I graduated in 2008 with a BSc (Hons) in Physics. I completed my PhD in July 2013.
Tell us a bit about your career journey. How did you get to where you are today?
I took the scenic route to my commercial flying career. After completing my Private Pilot Licence in 2007 and finishing my Physics degree in 2008, I found myself right in the middle of an economic crisis. This did not pair well with my notions of a commercial pilot licence. In September 2008, I commenced an experimental PhD in the Quantum Optics Group at Tyndall National Institute with funding from IRCSET under the Embark Initiative. My research investigated the interaction of laser-cooled rubidium atoms with optical nanofibres.
I completed my PhD in 2013 and was offered a job as an optical engineer in Galway with Valeo Vision Systems in their Image Quality team. Being a physicist masquerading as an engineer, I found that I didn’t enjoy the open plan office environment and the conventional 9-5 job! I yearned to be flying commercially so I started studying for my Air Transport Pilot Licence exams - these are the theoretical examinations which must be passed in order to become a commercial pilot.
In 2016, after many attempts, I won a pilot cadetship with Aer Lingus. Winning a cadetship was singularly the most pivotal life-altering event, allowing me to complete the Commercial Pilot Licence at FTE Jerez in Spain, then the Airbus Type Rating with Aer Lingus. I did my base training in the Airbus 320 at Shannon Airport in July 2017 (the first real hands-on flying time with an airliner!) and a few days later I flew my first passengers out of Dublin to Verona and back.
Just prior to starting the pilot cadetship in 2016, I had got my Flight Instructor Certificate which allowed me to teach new student pilots how to fly. I was instructing in my spare time at Waterford Aero Club in Ireland - my aviation home since I started flying. I very much wanted to instruct aerobatics (“stunt flying” as it might be more commonly known) and this is something I pursued in parallel with my own aerobatic training. I understood that if I could teach aerobatic flying to pilots, then my own skill and knowledge would grow in conjunction. It also meant more time at the controls of the aircraft I love. So in 2021, I got my flight instructor certificate endorsed with privileges to teach aerobatics and upset recovery. I now instruct once a month at the British Aerobatic Academy at Fowlmere airfield in the UK.
What is a typical day at work like for you?
For a typical European duty, myself and the other flight crew member will report at our Operational Briefing room approximately an hour before the flight and run through the flight plans. We consider the weather, traffic restrictions, aircraft weights and performance issues and come to a decision on the fuel for the flight. We walk to the aircraft and meet with the cabin crew to brief any topics of interest for the day - possible turbulence, expected delays and any particular passenger concerns.
After programming the flight management computer with the aircraft weights, the flight plan route and weather conditions, we will brief the departure procedure and relevant information about the airport including safety altitudes, prevailing weather issues. Briefings play a huge role in the daily job as they are the stage on which you can present a threat before it occurs and agree on a suitable method to mitigate it. After pushing back from the parking stand and starting the engines, we will taxi the aircraft out to the runway and takeoff. The Airbus is a great office!
During the cruise, both of us are busy with monitoring the aeroplane, setting up the approach at the arrival airport and planning fuel for the next flight. These days, most approaches flown in Europe are conventional ILS approaches with an occasional RNAV approach. If the airspace is busy or the weather is not up to scratch, the autopilot will be active until near the approach minima. The flying pilot will disconnect and land the aircraft manually the majority of the time, although during winter, the frequent occurrence of fog will necessitate an auto land in which the autopilot will fly the approach and complete the flare, touchdown and rollout.
Professionally, what are you most proud of?
There have been a number of events and achievements over the years that have made me feel accomplished. The first time I had my Mum onboard one of my flights as a passenger imparted such a great sense of pride. I flew her home from Hartford, US to Dublin in one of our new A321LR aircraft in 2019.
In 2023, I became the first ever Irish female to compete in a World Aerobatics Championships - aerobatic flying is my passion and one which I have been pursuing since 2007.
Who inspires you?
During my PhD, our research head was an incredible woman called Professor Síle Nic Chormaic. Outreach and public speaking was part of the job description in her group and she made it very clear that one of our responsibilities as researchers was to encourage as many people into science as possible and even better if you could shine the light on science careers for younger females. Her engagement and encouragement for outreach set the scene for everyone in the research group and without that I wouldn’t enjoy public speaking and promotion of STEM subjects as much as I do.
The women I fly with commercially and as a flying instructor are a constant source of inspiration. I think of them as the unsung heroes - those who are passionate about their careers, relish each day of flying and make no apologies about chasing their dreams.
I was blessed to grow up in a family of strong women - my mother, her sister, my grandmother and my godmother all set powerful examples of unapologetic goal-getting! My grandmother, besides introducing me to aviation, taught me how to drive after she herself had only learned a few years previously.
Best memories from your time at UCC?
During my time at UCC I took part in lots of public speaking contests, promoting physics and science to the general public and younger people. This outreach was probably one of the most enjoyable aspects of third level education.
UCC has one of the nicest campus grounds so I have great memories of doing summer projects in the Physics Department and wandering around the campus during lunchtime and just enjoying the surroundings.