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International Women in Engineering Day 2020: Flt Lt Katie Morris Q&A

What is your Engineering role in the Royal Air Force?

I am Flt Lt Katie Morris, and I am an Aerosystems Engineering Officer. I am currently working as one of two Junior Engineering Officers on 27 Squadron at RAF Odiham. I look after a team of 50 technicians to generate Chinook helicopters, supporting UK and overseas tasking.

Why do you enjoy engineering so much?

I enjoy engineering because it’s a different challenge every day. I get the opportunity to use the expertise of my team to solve a wide range of technical problems, as well as supporting exercises, mentoring my team and ensuring we are always moving forward.

Flt Lt Katie Morris and a friend celebrating Christmas in Akrotiri, on deployment as the Detachment Armament Officer.  

What is the most fulfilling part of your role as an Engineer?

Going on Operations. As the only EngO on shift, juggling several aircraft to meet multinational tasking in support of counter-terror operations, the pressure is on to make sound engineering decisions to get Chinooks in the air safely. The support from my team and the rest of the Sqn is fantastic, and balancing engineering risk with the need to get the aircraft flying is exciting, challenging and extremely rewarding.

So what's different about the Chinook?

Chinooks are an awesome bit of kit. First brought into the RAF as a battlefield helicopter, they are very mechanical, so there is a lot of maintenance work that we can do on the Sqns (or even in a field!). The Chinook is incredibly versatile, so we can be moving troops, landing on Royal Navy ships, transporting underslung loads, refueling other aircraft and supporting UK emergencies all in one week. It’s exciting to be able to get involved in so many different roles.

Flt Lt Katie Morris on the ramp of a Chinook over Surrey
Flt Lt Katie Morris on the ramp of a Chinook over Surrey

Finally, what's it like being a female Engineer in the Royal Air Force?

Being a female Engineer in the RAF is great. I’m treated just the same as my male counterparts, and the guys and girls I work with are all fantastic technicians, regardless of their gender. The RAF is a welcoming and inclusive environment, where everyone is supported to reach their full potential.

Flt Lt Katie Morris and SAC Jenny Gaskell

 

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