Rachel Gilmour may look like a teenager who has just started her career, but she shatters expectations as one of the world's youngest captains of airlines.
Although it is difficult to officially confirm, she is certainly linked to the record of Kate McWilliams in 2019 and becomes the world's youngest female commercial aircraft captain in just 26 years old.
Rachel told The Telegraph: “People like to label stories, but I am definitely one of the youngest female captains in the area.”
Her youthful appearance often arouses confusion with passengers on her flights for Loganair, a Scottish airline.
Many confuse her for cabin crew, what she notices is 'just gender stereotyping', especially in the winter, especially when I wear my jumper, there is nothing that I am a captain. I think it's because I don't have my stripes. '
Despite incidental misunderstandings of passengers, Rachel says that the crew members are nothing but supportive: 'I am supported by the team and my colleagues and nothing [derogatory] was once said to me. '
Although female pilots become less rarity, the figures are still low. Women only form 6 percent of the pilots worldwide.
Nevertheless, Rachel remains determined to be a role model for young girls who want to join the industry, especially with the increase in female pilot permits.
Rachel Gilmour may look like a teenager who has just started her career, but she shatters expectations as one of the world's youngest captainses of airlines
Between 2019 and 2023, the UK saw an increase of 26 percent in female pilot licenses, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.
A huge barrier to becoming a pilot is the costs. Training can restore students £ 100,000, making aviation out of reach for many.
Rachel, however, took a different route, earned the license from her private pilot before she pursued her commercial qualifications and at the same time gaining an experience.
“You must be determined,” she says. “The exams are difficult.”
Her hard work was bearing fruit and at only 26 she became Captain – only five years on the minimum legal age for commercial pilots.
In the cockpit, Rachel explains, there are two chairs: the captain on the left and the first officer on the right.
Rachel, however, took a different route, earned the license from her private pilot before she pursued her commercial qualifications while gaining the work experience
Although both work together, it is the captain who bears the ultimate responsibility: 'There are difficult decisions to make. It is a big leap in responsibility. '
Despite the challenges, Rachel's favorite flight is still the beautiful route from Glasgow to Stornoway over the outer Hebrids.
'There is nothing like a clear, sunny day flying over the sea. Although the routes are the same, the weather and the circumstances always make every flight unique. '
She even took her parents on the picturesque Stornoway route and showed them her world. “It was a special moment. No matter how much I tell them what I do, they only really understand when they experience it. '
Rachel's trip to the cockpit started when she was still in school. At the time, she was not interested in the traditional university route. “I knew I wanted something dynamic,” she recalls. “I like to travel, and I knew that aviation was the right suitable for me.”
