Next week Catherine Cousins (23) will pilot her first commercial flight for CityJet. The former Victoria College pupil from Belfast talks to Chrissie Russell about life as the airline's youngest female pilot, why finding love helped her achieve her dream job and how anyone can recognise a pilot at a party
Everyone knows the standard pilot joke," quips Catherine Cousins: " How do you know a pilot at a party? Don't worry, he'll tell you."
It's fair to say that many people's image of pilots will fit this stereotype - the self-assured alpha male cashing in on his four-engine jet to get the ladies. But Catherine couldn't be further from this hackneyed cliché. For a start she is 5ft 4in and petite, with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She is quietly spoken but, above anything else, she is resolutely self-deprecating and not at all arrogant.
Everyone knows the standard pilot joke," quips Catherine Cousins: " How do you know a pilot at a party? Don't worry, he'll tell you."
It's fair to say that many people's image of pilots will fit this stereotype - the self-assured alpha male cashing in on his four-engine jet to get the ladies. But Catherine couldn't be further from this hackneyed cliché. For a start she is 5ft 4in and petite, with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She is quietly spoken but, above anything else, she is resolutely self-deprecating and not at all arrogant.
