Flight Lieutenant Taylor earned her coveted RAF Flying Wings after graduating from 45 Squadron at RAF Cranwell on 10 October 2025. A milestone made even more memorable as she was presented with her Wings by her father, Air Commodore Taylor ((Retired).
Air Cdre Taylor, a former RAF pilot and senior officer with a distinguished career in flying training and operational command, had the honour of pinning the Wings onto his daughter’s uniform.
Flt Lt Taylor completed her multi-engine training with No. 3 Flying Training School, who are responsible for preparing RAF pilots for operational conversion onto multi-engine platforms. She will now move on to fly the Voyager, the RAF’s strategic air transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
The Reviewing Officer for the graduation was Air Commodore Caine, Head of Flying Training, who remarked:
It’s a rare and special moment when a father and daughter share the same call to serve and to fly, rarer still to witness a father awarding RAF Wings to his daughter. Having once been taught by Air Commodore (Retired) Taylor and later served under his command, it’s a privilege to see him now pass that same spirit of excellence and service to his daughter. This is what the RAF family is all about — legacy, inspiration, service and the joy of flight.
Air Commodore Caine
Head of Flying Training
Reflecting on her journey, Flt Lt Taylor said:
I wanted to join the RAF as a pilot after studying at the University of Glasgow and joining the University Air Squadron (UGSAS). Having a parent in the military gave me a good understanding of service life and deepened my interest in joining. I joined the RAF in 2021 and completed Elementary Flying Training shortly after graduating from Initial Officer Training. I spent nearly two years holding before MELIN and 45 Squadron at RAF Waddington, where I worked with some wonderful and inspiring people.
I’m very happy with my role disposal to Voyager and excited to join a platform that’s doing so much at the moment, alongside my MEPT course mates. I’m incredibly proud of my father’s career — he loved flying and the RAF — and I hope to follow in his footsteps.
Flt Lt Taylor
