Daughter follows in dad’s piloting footsteps

Captain David Woodruffe and his daughter senior firstofficer Kat Woodruffe, both from Horsham, are the only father and daughter duo currently working for British Airways.

Kat, 32, grew up in awe of her father, who has been flying commercial jets across the world for more than 40 years.

The pair coincidently both qualified at the age of 20 and both currently fly Boeing 777’s for the UK company.

Father-of-two David, 61 said: “I am extremely proud of Kat and of course I’m delighted that she has carried on the family tradition. Flying is clearly in our genes.

“She was absolutely determined to become a pilot, ever since she was a little girl. She focused her education and training on it. She never wavered from that career path - it is all she has ever wanted to do.

“I am very proud of her, British Airways is a very difficult airline to get into.”

Mum-of-one Kat added: “My dad was my inspiration to become a pilot. I grew up watching him put on his uniform and flying around the world. And dad used to take me on a lot of trips when I was younger.

“I was about eight years old when I just knew that it was what I wanted to do. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

Kat earned her wings as a commercial pilot 12 years-ago and has been flying 777 commercial planes with BA since 2005.

The pair have even been lucky enough to share a cockpit on several occasions flying to destinations including New York, Chicago and Abu Dhabi.

Kat is now hoping that her daughter, 13-month-old Poppy, may follow in her footsteps. She said: “To become a mummy-daughter pilot team would be lovely.”