Nicky’s aviation career started in 1986 on Cambridge University Air Squadron. She served in the RAF for 22 years in total, flying Jet Provost, Wessex, Bell 412 and Sea King, amongst others. Highlights included a flying around 300 Search and Rescue missions and commanding No 84 Squadron in Cyprus, where she flew the last ever Wessex helicopter and brought a new type into service,
With a move to Commercial Aviation in 2011, Nicky flew as an Air Ambulance pilot for 11 years in both East Anglia and Wiltshire. She flew the MD 902 Explorer and Bell 429, clocking up over 1,200 HEMS missions. During this time, as the Safety Manager, she also established and ran an SMS for a small AOC, which is where she gained an increased interest in aviation safety. Over the last couple of years, she has found innovative ways to promote safety and Human Factors throughout the MOD’s Joint Aviation Command.
In her spare time, Nicky flew cadets in the Grob Tutor as an air experience pilot and was an enthusiastic paraglider pilot, when the weather permitted. As a member of the Army Air Corps Reserves, she is currently leading an air safety project mitigating the risk to horses and riders of low flying helicopters in the UK.