David Thomas always wanted to be a pilot. He grew up in Newcastle Upon Tyne and after a successful career with the RAF and the Red Arrows, he now flies 737 with TUI. He lives with his partner Nikki, their two children Elliott and William. These and Nikki’s other two grown up children Jack and Tom are all a very important part of David’s life.
From an early age, David was interested in airplanes and had always wanted to fly them. He remembers a holiday in Corfu watching the airplanes land at the airport as a pivotal moment in understanding what he wanted to do. From there, he crafted his education and career around getting to flying airplanes. His focus through school was gearing himself up to join the Royal Air Force after deciding he did not want to go to university.
After school, David went to RAF Locking as a junior technician for electrical communications for two years. In 1996, he then spent four years training to be a pilot where he got his wings for the Royal Air Force. He learnt to fly Harriers and took great pride in being a NATO asset. As well as his time with the RAF, he also flew with the Red Arrows as a display pilot during the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. David decided in 2006 that it was time for more domestic stability, so used his airline license which he’d gained through self-study to get a job with TUI, where is now, as an airline captain.
In his spare time, David likes to cycle and is a keen photographer.
For more information visit: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/david-thomas-832a52125
We’re emotional beings who think - Gary Hosey
If you don’t ask, you don’t get - Gemma Muckle
Be agile and adjust - Giorgio Locatelli
It’s a bit like food… don’t eat what you don’t enjoy - Adrian Bull
What advice would you give your younger self? Episode three
What advice would you give your younger self? Episode two
What advice would you give your younger self? Episode one
You need to savour and appreciate the journey that you go on! Tom Scott, Professor of Materials, Bristol University
You have to have the confidence to try things out. Sarah Beacock, CEO, Nuclear Institute.
Lead by example and be prepared to do anything that you expect your team to do! Jean Llewellyn, Non-executive Director, ONR and the World Institute for Nuclear Security
We all have our own struggles, weaknesses and doubts. Stacy Snook, Insider Threat Mitigation, Sellafield Ltd
Grasp every opportunity that comes along with both hands, give it 100% and be wholehearted. Claire Flint, Senior Independent Director
Try to find that correlation in everything you do. Jon Salthouse, Content Director, Owl Live
Innovation is all about trying something new that creates value, it doesn‘t need to be new to the world, it just has to be new to you. Sara Huntingdon, Head of Innovation, NDA
It‘s okay not to have a plan, just going with the flow is alright! Being adaptable and applying your skills to different environments is key. Beccy Pleasant, Head of Nuclear Skills, NSSG
Be the best you can be, and give people the realisation that there are opportunities out there for them. Rebecca Weston, COO, Sellafield Ltd
If you want to get something in life, then you‘ve got to set your mind to achieving it. Tom Samson, CEO, Rolls-Royce SMR Consortium
Life can only be understood backwards but must be lived forwards. Melanie Brownridge, Technology and Innovation Director, NDA
Always pursue things you are interested in, because if you're not interested, you'll not do very well. Dr Tim Stone CBE, Chairman, Nuclear Industry Association and Nuclear Risk Insurers
The best advice I would give someone is to seek guidance and counsel. Georgina Hines, Policy Analyst, Nuclear Industry Association
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