Last month, teams across FRP celebrated Women’s History Month commencing with International Women’s Day (“IWD”), honouring the resilience and achievements of women that have reshaped societal norms and expanded opportunities for future generations. We hosted a series of insightful events, from discussions on women’s investment patterns to a guided tour of landmarks in women’s rights history – alongside many more initiatives across our offices. 

Temi Solesi, Valuations Senior Associate and Chair of FRP’s EDI Committee in London, led our first IWD event, with insights from Tanja Marelija and Moira Austin in our Valuations team on women’s investment behaviours. Edward Gordon from our Restructuring Advisory team organised a walking tour, highlighting significant political and educational milestones in our daily surroundings.

I also had the privilege of speaking with Pilot Nadishka Gomez about her inspiring career in aviation – as a woman in professional services working with clients across industries – I wanted to discover more about her journey. 

In this Q&A, she shares the challenges she has faced and the mindset that helped her turn her dream of flying into reality.

Q.1 What are the challenges facing the industry?

The first greatest challenge faced by the aviation industry is that it is incredibly sensitive and dependent on the state of the Economy, a prime example being Covid where the aviation industry almost nearly came to a standstill. Most pilots either lost their jobs or were at risk of losing their jobs, particularly in the passenger flying sect. 

Advancements in automation have increased efficiencies massively in the sector, however as pilots we need to be mindful and ensure that we do not allow this to lead to complacency and deskilling time for manual flying.

The highly regulated nature of the industry means that safety protocols are constantly evolving, and are responsive to incidents worldwide. Any major aviation accident or disaster influences global regulations and requires us to conduct pilot training to ensure safety measures are constantly refined. As pilots we must maintain an ever-evolving skill set, adapting to new procedures and protocols to effectively manage and respond to ‘out of the normal’ situations to safeguard our passengers, our teams and ourselves. 

Finally, one of the most important elements of being a pilot is maintaining a high standard of physical health. Failing to meet the required health standards can result in temporary suspension from flying until a subsequent medical assessment permits reinstatement. Pilots must hold a Class 1 medical certificate, which mandates that key health indicators, such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and haemoglobin – remain within the normal range. Additionally, in some countries, medical examinations for female pilots may include assessments of reproductive health in Class 1 medical examinations.
 

Q.2 How have you successfully navigated a career in Aviation?

After completing my flight training in the United States, I returned to Sri Lanka with the goal of joining a local airline. However, the highly selective recruitment process and limited vacancies created a significant bottleneck. Despite multiple attempts, I persevered, passed the exams, and was the only woman among ten successful candidates to receive an offer. Unfortunately, due to issues within the recruitment process, none of us were ultimately employed.

Realising opportunities were scarce locally, I explored options abroad and secured a role through an agency with an airline in Vietnam. This opportunity led to full-time employment, allowing me to build my flying experience. However, after three years, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and I was made redundant. I then relocated to the UK to be with my husband and embarked on the rigorous process of converting my licence – repeating 14 exams to meet British certification requirements.

By the time I completed the conversion, I had been out of the cockpit for 2.5 years, rendering me "out of currency" in industry terms. To regain eligibility, I returned to Vietnam, secured another flying position, and regained my operational status. With my licence back, I resumed my job search in the UK. After nearly a year of applications and persistence, I finally secured a position and relocated back.

Q.3 What advice would you give to others on their career journey?

My advice for aspiring pilots is to wholeheartedly pursue their dreams of flying. However, based on my personal experience, I strongly recommend safeguarding yourself with an alternative degree or skillset as a backup plan for times when you may be unable to fly.

The initial stages of your career can be challenging, and early setbacks are common in this highly competitive industry. The more interviews you attend, the better you will understand employer expectations and how to tailor your approach. The key is to remain resilient and persistent.

If you possess another skill, make use of it while applying for jobs to stay engaged and productive. Keeping yourself occupied will help maintain motivation during uncertain periods.

Balancing personal and professional life can be difficult. Early in my career, I prioritised professional growth, which inevitably meant making sacrifices in my personal life. However, this was a conscious choice that came with its own challenges. My decision to move to Vietnam a second time was driven by both career and personal reasons, regaining my flying currency while also reuniting with my husband.

Q.4 How do you approach balancing career ambitions with your personal life?

I do not believe that there always needs to be an opportunity cost between choosing your career over your personal life. With careful planning and adaptability, you can focus on different aspects at different stages. Now, after years of prioritising my career, I am choosing to focus on personal ambitions in this next chapter of life.

At the end of the day, I find that it is a balancing act – you should follow your gut and allow yourself to prioritise what you need when you want it the most. Try to envision your long run goals if you can and understand what would be best suited for the future version of yourself.