From glider to fighter: Military pilot Kateřina Hlavsová on her career in Czech Air Force
The world of aviation has long captured the imagination, but the profession is still dominated by men. That said, the field has come a long way since the first Czech woman pilot, Božena Laglerová, became the thirteenth woman pilot in the world in 1911. Fast forward one hundred years, the field is still overrepresented by men. Major Kateřina Hlavsová is one of the other exceptions, having been the only woman in her class at flight school. How did she make her way into the military? And what is it really like to be a military jet pilot in the modern era as a woman? Join us as we delve into the daily life, the training, and the unique challenges faced by a woman pilot in today's Czech Air Force.
Let's talk about the beginnings first. What inspired you to pursue aviation?
“I was inspired when I was traveling with my parents for summer holidays to Ibiza and there was an opportunity for children to visit the cockpit and I talked to the pilots. I was completely amazed by the view, the instruments, and the feeling of being in a plane. From that moment, I decided I wanted to become a professional pilot. But that flight sparked my passion.”
There was also a specific break when entering the military, as at that time, you didn’t particularly know that you would want to be a military pilot.
“Exactly, so I started flying gliders at a small Aviatec club on gliders. I met many people there, including professional pilots who flew for airlines, as well as military and hobby pilots. That's when I realized there were different paths I could take. I was quite fortunate because, a year before my final grammar school exams, the military opened its pilot program to women. I applied and was successful.”
So, what was your experience meeting them, and perhaps pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable? Were there any incentives for you to join at that time?
“Yes, at the military academy, there were a few women in other branches, like air traffic control and aircraft mechanics. I met some of them, and I think we supported each other. I also met other female jet pilots during a training exercise, I believe in Slovenia.”
What were those challenges, and in the early days, did you face any specific difficulties being in a predominantly male field?
“So, from the beginning, my goal was to fly jets, which was quite a challenge at the time. Almost every pilot in my class wanted to do the same, so there was a lot of pressure. I believed I could succeed, and I did. But of course, it was challenging, especially when I started the practical flight training. Many instructors weren't sure how to approach training a female pilot since it was a first for them, both at the military academy and at Náměšť Air Base, where I began flying the L-39ZA. It was challenging, and I initially felt some distance, but that quickly disappeared.”
Can you talk about some general missions that stood out to you? Or perhaps describe the routine of an everyday pilot?
“My daily routine as a pilot involves a lot of training. We have three or four flying days a week. Each morning, we have pre-flight briefings and then prepare for the specific mission we're scheduled to fly. This could be a training flight for young pilots or students, or we might be providing support to ground units, among other things.”
Is the routine very different when you're on missions in the field compared to here, or would you say the days are similar?
“It's different when you're on a mission, like the one in Afghanistan in 2010. I wasn't flying there, but I was supporting helicopter pilots. This involved receiving requests, preparing all the necessary documentation and materials for the crews, and then the commander would decide which missions we were capable of fulfilling.”
I imagine it’s also physically demanding. Are there high physical requirements, such as exercise, to withstand the G-forces that people often hear about with jets?
“Regarding jet pilots, yes. But I believe everyone here at Čáslav is well-trained and physically fit. Over time, your body adapts to the G-forces.”
In the beginning, was it tough to adjust to that? What was the process of getting used to flying in jets?
“I think it's shorter, just a few months. You gradually get used to it. When we were tested for the G-system, for a specific G-load, it was clear that after a few years of flying, you don't need to use your muscles and breathing as much as you did in the beginning.”
What are some of those other skills or characteristics that you think that people in your field need to have to withstand the routine and demands of the job?
“I think self-criticism is essential, as is the ability to receive feedback. Everyone makes mistakes, and we need to admit them and learn from them. Therefore, we need to be able to discuss our mistakes and learn from each other to improve. We also want to improve flight safety, which is very important.”
What are some of the hazardous parts of the dangers of flying right now, if you're training, for example?
“It's everything unexpected you can experience during the flight, like some failure or some weather trouble or some bird strike.”
Have you ever experienced any of those?
“Yes, in the beginning, on the Albatros, we mostly dealt with icing at Náměšť Air Base. Now, bird strikes are the bigger issue. I experienced one right after takeoff, which is when you're fully fueled. I also had the aircraft armed with guns. It was necessary to land immediately because I wasn't sure if the bird strike had impacted the engine or the wing. My weight was over the limit, so I had to be very careful. But it all worked out in the end.”
When it comes to drones, are there any laws in place to protect fighter jets around air bases? I imagine there are regulations like that, but have you ever interacted with drones?
“Yes, that's true. We haven't had this experience yet at Čáslav. You can't see drones on our radar. There are many rules that every airspace user needs to follow and learn. We're still dealing with this issue because it's relatively new in Europe, and we'll see how it develops. We haven't had any accidents caused by drones yet, and I hope it stays that way, but the laws are still being developed, I'd say.”
What would you say is how do you balance family and relationships while being a pilot?
“I think it's different from being an airline pilot, for example, because they fly many flights during the night and any day of the week. For us, it's more like a typical work week. We usually work Monday to Friday, from 7 am to 4 pm, and so on. We fly several days a week. Besides flying, we're also part of the military, not just the Air Force, so we have other duties, like weapons training. I think it's basically the same for every soldier.”
What are some ways the Czech military could attract more pilots, possibly even female pilots? For instance, in the US, the Top Gun movie led to an increase in military applications. How do you feel about the Top Gun movie? Do you think methods like that are effective in attracting potential pilots?
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“I dreamed of becoming a professional pilot even before I saw Top Gun. Of course, that was my movie, and we watched it quite often at our glider club. I think something like that could attract more people to aviation in the Czech Republic. It would be nice, but I still think it's a great job and could be very interesting for young people because we're expecting new aircraft—both jets and transport planes—as well as new helicopters that meet NATO standards. So, it's quite different from what we used to fly (Mi-24 and Mi-17). I think flying those modern NATO aircraft can be very interesting and rewarding.”
What do you think about the remake of the Top Gun movie?
“I like the music [laughs].”
Not very realistic?
“No, of course not, because now we're more focused on air-to-air missions, specifically beyond-visual-range missions with new, modern aircraft. So, the second Top Gun wasn't entirely realistic in that regard. But we do need ways to attract people to aviation, and it's still fun. It's still about teamwork and team building, as you saw in the movie. So, there are some similarities. Of course, we're much more focused on safety than what was portrayed in the film.”
So no aerobatics?
“It's possible, but there are boundaries, like altitude limits. When a minimum altitude is set, say 5,000 feet MSL, then that's the limit, and no one can break it. If you do, you'll be punished because you've broken a safety rule, and that's something we don't do.”
Božena Langlerová
The previously mentioned Božena Laglerová was a conservatory graduate in opera singing who developed a passion for aviation through her brother-in-law, a professor at the Czech Technical University. Despite facing opposition and prejudice against women pilots, she was determined to earn an international pilot's license, which she achieved at the German Hans Grade flight school. Although she crashed just before her final exam in May 1911, she successfully passed her pilot's test in September of the same year, becoming the first Czech female pilot and the thirteenth in the world.
Her accomplishments earned her international recognition, including winning the Silver Cup at the 1911 Hanover Air competition. Due to a lack of support at home, she accepted an offer for an aerial tour of Latin America. After enduring several setbacks and accidents, she ended up in New York, where she received assistance from the local Czech community.
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