Abbie Lee - ATC Assistant at Gloucestershire Airport!

My name is Abbie Lee, I’m 20 years old and I work as an Air Traffic Control Assistant at Gloucestershire Airport, one of the busiest GA airfields in the UK. I’m also a student pilot and I’m nearly 30 hours into my PPL, flying a Cessna 152 out of Staverton Flying School. 

Can you describe your journey in aviation? What were your initial steps and where have they now taken you?

My journey in aviation started as early as I can remember. I come from a family of aviation enthusiasts with my late grandfather working for BA Cargo, my one uncle works for Jet2, my other uncle is a retired 777 Senior First Officer, and my aunt is retired BA cabin crew – it definitely runs in the family! In 2020, I was introduced to the Fly2Help Aim High Programme by a friend of mine, and this is where I first met Kim Lewington MBE. I was very fortunate to be chosen to take part in Aim High in February 2020. The programme introduces young people to the industry, to all aspects of aviation. After the COVID pandemic hit, I felt very lost, so I decided to go to Solihull College and study Cabin Crew and Airport Operations, which I enjoyed. As not to be defeated, and not sure where my career was headed, I went to Gloucestershire Airport and took the names and numbers of many different companies and sent my CV off to them. A few weeks later, a flight school (Clifton Aviation) got in contact and offered me a part-time job in operations. A couple of months later, after I had made various new contacts at the airport, I was given an opportunity to work in Landside Operations (also known as Briefing). In January 2022, I got in contact with Skyborne Airline Academy, who offered me a job in operations, and I worked there for nine months. Finally, last August, I received a phone call from the Head of Air Traffic asking if I’d be interested in a position as an Air Traffic Control Assistant, which was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. 

What do your workdays involve at Gloucester Tower? Do you have any memorable stories?

My day-to-day role as an Air Traffic Control Assistant consists of answering incoming telephone calls from pilots wanting to book instrument approaches and circuit slots, sending NOTAMs, liaising with other ATC units for IFR clearances, keying in flight progress strips and communicating important information to the controllers, and dealing with emergencies. Last October, I went to Belfast to complete a meteorological course, and this allows me to report official METARs every 30 minutes to the Met Office. My most memorable moment was the day I validated. It took three level checks and a lot of hard work, but I was so excited (but nervous!) to be working by myself and with the support of a fantastic team of controllers. 

Have any other women inspired you during your aviation journey and what is the best piece of advice you have been given?

There are many women who inspire me, but to name a few: Kim Lewington MBE for her career and her charity work with Fly2help. My two best friends Lauren Simms and Daisy Bing. Lauren is a MEIR flight instructor with over 2000 hours of flying time. Daisy is a pilot at Cotswold Aero Club and has just accepted a place on the TUI MPL programme. My flight instructor Jennie, who has been flying for over forty years and who was the youngest female CFI in the UK. Last but not least, PPL, CPL, and IR examiner Julie Simmonds, who was also an Air Traffic Controller before she became a flight examiner! I’m surrounded by such incredible women who inspire me every single day. The best piece of advice I've probably been given, (as cliche as it sounds), is never give up. It has taken me a long time to get to where I am today, but I'm so grateful for all the people I've met, and the opportunities I've been given.

How do you balance learning to fly and working?

I fly 2 or 3 times a month and I fly on my days off. As we all know, it’s certainly not cheap and very weather dependent, but the knowledge I’ve gained from working in Air Traffic has definitely helped my flying for sure!