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Matt was one of the first openly gay pilots in the Royal Air Force (RAF). His story is one of self-motivation and resilience which led to a dream being fulfilled. Matt describes how the RAF adapted its culture from one of open hostility towards gay personnel, to acceptance and support. He also speaks frankly about mental resilience and its impact on performance.
Q: Please tell us about yourself and a brief overview of your career
Matt Lindley (ML): I was one of those annoying kids who said to Mum at the age of 3 that I wanted 'to be a pilot when I grow up'. I am sure that she expected me to grow out of it, but I didn't. I became obsessed, with everything geared towards fulfilling my boyhood dream.
After leaving school I joined the University of Birmingham Air Squadron and I was hooked on flying. As an undergraduate, going upside down and flying formation between lectures was the biggest adrenaline kick imaginable and the best recruitment tool for the RAF.
I graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Bachelor of Commerce and initially I worked for the Ford Motor Company implementing Japanese management techniques in the car industry. I finally joined the RAF in 1995. After 3 years of Officer and flying training, I qualified as a fast jet pilot flying the BAE Hawk. Soon after, my career took a different turn and I ended up on 32 (The Royal) Squadron flying The Royal Family and Government Ministers worldwide for over 10 years. I was Training Captain on the HS125-700 and for a period of time in charge of the Operational Conversion Unit.
Q: Tell us more about your current involvement in the STEM sector especially in aviation
ML: I now fly part-time for a large commercial airline based at Heathrow. During my time with the airline I have flown Airbus A320, Boeing 747 and now Boeing 777. Throughout my flying career I have been involved in training and have taken a particular interest in non-technical skills. I have a company which uses techniques used in the flight deck and implements them into a wide variety of sectors.
Q: What would you say to your younger self or a young professional entering the aviation industry now (thinking about diversity & inclusion strides we have made in STEM and also the impact of Covid-19 on the industry?)
ML: As a teenager I was under confident and as a result academically average. My sexuality and social conditioning limited my aspirations initially. I was lucky, a trial flying lesson at the age of 14 years old changed everything. This transformed a lofty dream of being a pilot, into a goal that I had to achieve. Since then, I have always lived by the mantra 'prove them wrong...'.
Do not be limited by the straight jacket of conformity, instead channel your energy at being the very best at what you do. If you have a dream make it a goal and strive to achieve it.
Q: What is your favorite memory from being involved in the aviation industry?
ML: Without doubt being selected to fly in a Royal Fly Past down the Mall. I remember joining the enormous formation over the North Sea, then flying down the Thames Estuary, knowing that Concorde and the Red Arrows were behind me. I was concentrating so hard at flying in perfect position on the wing of the BAe146 and then the other pilot said, 'Matt look up (I was staring at the other aircrafts wing)'. I could not believe seeing the Mall packed with thousands of people and Buckingham Palace in my 12 o'clock, it’s a memory I will always treasure.
The 'Talking Together with Matt Lindley' webinar will be taking place at 18:00 GMT on 17 March 2021. Sign-up for this free evening webinar via Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-together-with-matt-lindley-tickets-138317897555