Changing Course, Finding Purpose: Natalee Johnston | S2E21

<p>Meet Natalee Johnston, the first female pilot in the Royal Australian Navy. </p><p><br /></p><p>Natalee grew up on a farm in Western Australia and joined the Navy at 17. In 1998, after completing her undergraduate studies and military flight training, she became the Royal Australian Navy's first female pilot — and the only one for eight years. Over a 24-year naval career, she served as a helicopter instructor, operations manager, flight commander, squadron leader, and safety professional, flying aircraft from the Sea King to the fly-by-wire MRH-90 Taipan. </p><p><br /></p><p>Today, Natalee operates her business, Skilful Decisions, from the New South Wales South Coast. She serves as a board director of the National Safety Council Australia and a local government councillor, holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics, a Postgraduate Certificate in Accident Investigation, a Diploma in Lead Auditing, and a master's in business. Her message to anyone who doesn't see someone like themselves in the career they dream of: if you can't see it, why not be it? </p><p><br /></p><p>Natalee speaks candidly about imposter syndrome — not as something you defeat, but something you learn to live with — and about pivoting from the security of the military into aviation safety and self-employment. She shares what real partnership looks like for two pilots raising a family and why she wishes she'd found WAI sooner.</p><p><br /></p><p>🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. </p><p><br /></p><p>📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast </p><p><br /></p><p>#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast</p>