Tori Turner (nee Lyle – 2&3 South, 1999-2003) is a Eurofighter typhoon pilot currently serving on 29 Squadron, at RAF Coningsby.
Having never been particularly aware of the military or what it offered, she first came across the RAF while at university at Imperial College, London, when she joined the University of London Air Squadron. The Air Squadron is an excellent way to find out more about the RAF without committing its members to actual service in the military. While on the Air Squadron, you are a Volunteer Reservist in the RAF, however you only participate in what you choose to, and you have no obligation to join the RAF full time post uni. In addition, everyone is entitled to free flying lessons – a major perk …
Having completed a Master’s degree in Biology, Tori decided that a career in the RAF would be a good idea, and started Initial Officer Training in July 2008. Flying training in the RAF is not quick: it took three flying courses on three different aircraft over a total of five years before Tori was a qualified jet pilot. She was streamed onto the Eurofighter Typhoon, and joined 6 Squadron, based at RAF Lossiemouth, in February 2014.
During her tour on 6 Squadron she has flown operational missions on UK Quick Reaction Alert (this is when Typhoons are scrambled at short notice to intercept unknown aircraft approaching UK controlled airspace), flown operational missions in the Falkland Islands on two separate detachments, intercepted over 10 aircraft when contributing to the Baltic Air Policing based in Estonia, and has most recently returned from Cyprus where she flew operational missions over Iraq and Syria. In addition, she had taken part in exercises in the UK, USA, Oman and Estonia, and has trailed aircraft across Europe, the Middle East and the Atlantic.
Tori lives with her husband James (also a Typhoon pilot) and they recently bought a dog, Lola, in an attempt to diversify their dinner party conversations away from flying. Should anyone have an interest in the RAF and wish to talk more, please feel free to get in touch.