S I D E WAYS L O O K Role models in aviation Who do you look up to? Is there someone who has inspired you in your career, or who gave you the idea of being a pilot in the first place? By First Officer Tori Bottomley, The Log Board Deputy Chair A Wikimedia Commons nyone reading this magazine knows just how challenging it is to get into the commercial aviation career. So why do people still do it? What inspires us to endure the hours of study and imposter syndrome? I would suggest that role models have a lot to do with it. So we wanted to explore some of the most popular role models among our community and perhaps some that you wont have heard of. Barrington Irving (1983-present) Barrington Irving set the Guinness world record at 23 years old for being the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo, and the first black person to have achieved it. Whats even more impressive, is that Irving did it in his own plane, which he built himself. Born in Jamaica, growing up in Miami amid crime and poverty, Irving beat the odds to be where he is today. Irving wanted to be an NFL player until a chance encounter with an airline pilot made him consider changing course. Today, Irving uses his skills to inspire others, having founded The Flying Classroom to help encourage youngsters to get into STEM subjects and solve problems around the world. Just make the first step, whether you trip or stumble, youre still moving forward, says Barrington. Bader is one of the most famous British pilots in history. A fighter ace and a double amputee from the age of 21, he was described as determined and dogmatic, fearless and always eager for a challenge and intensely loyal to the causes he cared about and to his friends. That is certainly shown by his actions. Bader was responsible for 20 aerial victories until he was eventually shot down and taken to POW camp. He made several escape attempts, acting as the distractor in the operation, until his guards took away his prosthetic legs and moved him to Colditz castle, where he stayed until 1945. He later toured the world as managing director of Shell Aircraft ltd. Throughout his life, Baders determination paid off. He broke barriers and did not allow his disability to prevent his return to aviation, he also raised considerable money for the disabled community and was knighted in 1976. Getty Images / Joe Raedle Douglas Bader (1910-1982) 16 THE LOG Spring 25 pp16-17 Role models.indd 16 17/03/2025 16:23