Tamlyn Gresser knew from a young age that she wanted to be a pilot for the Royal Flying Doctor Service so when she joined the organisation in January 2022, it was the realisation of a dream.
Now the Senior Base Pilot for the RFDS Dubbo Base, Tamlyn leads a dedicated team of 12 that fly all over South Eastern Australia for emergency retrievals, patient transport and provision of primary health clinics.
“I did work experience at the Broken Hill base in 2009 when I was in year 11. I went away from that convinced that I wanted to work for the Flying Doctor. I finished school then went away and got my pilot’s licence. I spent a few years flying all over Australia, doing surveying, charters and freight jobs. Finally in January 2022 an opportunity came up here,’ Tamlyn said.
It’s totally different to most jobs as a pilot. You come in at the start of a shift and you don’t know what you will be faced with that day or where you will be flying.
Tamlyn GresserThe day-to-day business of working in aeromedical industry was completely different from passenger airlines or freight transportation, Tamlyn said, because there was more diversity in the work.
“It’s totally different to most jobs as a pilot. You come in at the start of a shift and you don’t know what you will be faced with that day or where you will be flying. And you’re part of a team. You work with doctors and nurses so you learn what they do, and you help where needed with loading the patients,” Tamlyn said.
In addition to her day-to-day work with the Flying Doctor, Tamlyn is passionate about ensuring future generations are aware of the opportunities that are available to them.
“I didn’t know anyone who was a pilot when I was starting out. It’s hard to know what to do for a career and it’s easy to think that being a pilot is too difficult but I can attest that it is achievable,” Tamlyn said
“I want to be able to give back and show others what they need to do. I’m involved in a program that mentors young women trying to get their pilot’s licence and get started in the industry. It’s really important that we help where we can.”
