Loganair Pilot, 26, Takes to the Skies as One of Europes Youngest Captains

Rachel Gilmour is from Largs. She flies Loganair flights and her routes go from Glasgow to Stornoway or Benbecula. She recently became a captain; that’s a big promotion for her.

Women are only five percent of pilots in Europe. Rachel always wanted to fly, and her love of travel drove her.

She went to a pilot career day with her dad at Heathrow Airport. She began flying in Dundee at Tayside Aviation school. She became an instructor at age 22.

Rachel then joined Loganair at 24 and moved to Aberdeen for work. She became second in command there. Later, she flew from Glasgow Airport, which is Loganair’s main base.

Rachel thinks age doesn’t matter, and she wants more young women pilots. Flying for Loganair is an honor, she claims, and connecting people to the mainland feels special.

Loganair gave her a lot of experience. Rachel is proud to be a captain at 26, and she hopes to inspire young women so they can consider flying, too.

Rachel will keep flying passengers to Stornoway and Benbecula. She will also fly other seasonal routes, flying an Embraer 145 aircraft.

She hopes to fly friends and family soon. She’s flown her partner a few times, and he always approves of her landings.