RAF High Wycombe News

Did you know that less than 30% of engineering graduates in the UK are women? Or that engineer Mary Anderson invented the windscreen wiper in 1903? Or that Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr’s engineering contributions helped today’s wireless networks? International Women in Engineering Day aims to raise awareness of the great work women do in engineering and to promote the amazing career opportunities in this fascinating and ever-changing field.

“Once I got into the actual engineering, I realised that academics were not everything. It was me and my personality that was also important.”

The work of RAF High Wycombe’s Wing Commander Lonsdale is the perfect way to celebrate Women in Engineering Day. If ever you wanted a person who is passionate and committed to boldly wave the flag for women in engineering, look no further than the Wing Commander. From her early teenage years, the subject has fascinated her, and her boundless enthusiasm extends to local schools where she continues to ignite young minds into the power of STEM.

So, what attracted you to a career in engineering?

“My dad worked at Blackpool airport, and I got to see the Red Arrows prepping to do their display and it was then that I thought ‘that is something I really want to be a part of.’ At the same time, I got to see what the engineering team were doing. They do everything in formation and it was that penny drop moment that I realised they had to work as a team to produce that display. They were in the background, but I thought ‘ahhh’ and the word engineering started to appear. That is how it all fell into place. I was 14 and realised that I really wanted to combine engineering with the Airforce.”

Like many schools, engineering was not highlighted like medicine or law as a potential career choice.

“I remember going to see my careers advisor and said I was interested in engineering and the military and was told ‘we have nothing.’ I realised that I was going to have to make my own way with this.”

However, everything changed when the young student applied to the Royal Air Force with a sixth-form scholarship; “I have had plenty of setbacks. I did not have the grades for aeronautical engineering but was offered mechanical engineering and I think that one of my passions I like to talk about is that through failure you learn more.  I think maybe not quite getting that made me strive to push myself more at university.”

What are your favourite aspects of engineering?

“It offers a little bit of everything. That is why I love it so much because you can really narrow your view and say this will be my speciality or you just dabble in a little bit of it all. That is what I really enjoyed about my degree. One day it was materials, the next enhancing your maths skills but there is also a bit of management involved.“

“For me it is the package that engineering gives you. Everything that matches your skills set you can then match into the engineering skillset.“

Why do you think so few women are attracted to engineering?

“The phrase you hear a lot is that you cannot be something if you cannot see it. I am not sure there is enough visibility when it comes to engineering, especially in schools. Girls are often pushed into subjects they are good at, not necessarily what they enjoy. Whereas if the phrase is to do something that you enjoy then it might steer more females into it.”  

“Sometimes fear of failure is something that can really impact you. In engineering you cannot have that fear of failure because it happens so much. “

Has your engineering degree proved useful in all your RAF roles?

“Having that degree in engineering means I have got that foundation base knowledge. At Brize Norton I was involved in ‘tie down’ schemes – tying down things that won’t fall out of an aircraft. What we use is basic trigonometry – and you don’t even learn this at university. It is learnt at school.”

The Wing Commander believes that engineering in the Air Force is all about teamwork and people management, commenting “I like the people and leadership element of it. Linked with that is your motivational element.”

What qualities do you think make a good engineer?

“Curiosity and innovation – somehow moulded together to produce inspiration. You need to inspire someone to keep coming back to work versus can I motivate someone to look at an issue in a different way? You need that little bit of everything that makes you a little bit different. The ability to listen is all-important and most of all enjoyment! Engineering throws up challenges all the time and you need that enjoyment in trying to find workable solutions.”

Would you say the military have been proactive in promoting women in engineering?

“Yes! You don’t have to worry if you are being paid the same as a male colleague. We are all paid the same and we are all valued the same. Have I always felt I belong in this world? Absolutely!”

Who is your engineering role model?

“Beatrice Shilling OBE, an engineer during the Battle of Britain. When spitfires were going inverted all the furl was going the wrong way and pilots were struggling with air battles. The engines were stalling. She designed a small object that went into the engine and was called ‘Tilly’s Shilling.’ She rode on a motorbike changing all the engines, adding her design to them and it made a difference. She has never been promoted for that. You may see the odd footnote in museums. She’s a really good role model. She found a solution and saved the day. Her story is inspirational.”

What advice would you give to young girls at college wanting to go into the field of engineering?

“Engineering offers you a bit of everything. It will bring out the best bits in you, so just give it a go. What have you got to lose? It is an exciting field. You dip your toe in and you open so many different doors. Even if you want to go more into the design element, this is possible. If you have a profession that gives you every extreme to do all those things and everything in between then why wouldn’t you give it a go?”

“My final message is don't fear it. I was so worried that my grades were going to set me back and what it would mean. But, I learned more from those times when I did have those little setbacks’.”