What We Can Learn from a Fast Jet Pilot: Mandy Hickson’s Story
In an age of shrinking defence budgets and rising asymmetric threats, fast jet pilots are rarer than ever—and even rarer are those willing to share their stories. Mandy Hickson is one of those few. A former RAF Tornado pilot with over 45 missions in the second Gulf War, Mandy offers a rare glimpse into high-stakes decision-making under pressure—and what the rest of us can learn from it.
From the Cockpit to the Conference Room
Over 17 years in the RAF, Mandy served three tours of duty and now continues to fly with the Volunteer Reserve and the Air Cadets’ Air Experience Flight. But her journey didn’t stop at the runway. Today, she uses her military experience to help leaders navigate complex decisions in business and public life.
Meeting her at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, it’s clear that Mandy is as sharp and charismatic as any Top Gun stereotype might suggest—yet far more grounded. Her storytelling is engaging, but it’s her intellect and passion that make the biggest impression.
“Highly agile and dynamic,” is how Mandy describes the Tornado, a Cold War-era aircraft she still holds great affection for. Despite its 1970s design, it remains a marvel of engineering—an example of how precision and purpose-built design stand the test of time.
The Human Factor in High-Stakes Decisions
The Tornado’s crew consisted of two: the pilot and the navigator. While machines could handle the speed and altitude, it was the humans who made life-or-death decisions under immense pressure. Whether responding to threats or carrying out missions at the speed of sound, human judgement was—and still is—irreplaceable.
Even as unmanned drones and artificial intelligence (AI) enter the fray, Mandy sees a clear line: “AI is very good at making some sorts of decisions, but much less good at making others.” It lacks the context, intuition, and ethics that human decision-makers bring to the table.
Lessons for Today’s Leaders
In her talks and advisory work, Mandy draws powerful parallels between combat aviation and the modern workplace. From managing risk to making snap ethical decisions, her insights resonate far beyond the military.
This isn’t just about thrilling stories from the skies—it’s about translating those experiences into language that leaders and teams can understand. In Mandy’s case, clarity under fire becomes a metaphor for clarity in business strategy.
RAF Tornado GR4: Specs at a Glance
- Engines: Two RR RB199 Mk103 turbofans
- Thrust: 16,000 lb each
- Max Speed: Mach 2.2
- Length: 16.7 m
- Max Altitude: 50,000 ft
- Span: 8.6 m
- Crew: Two (pilot and navigator)
Final Thoughts
Mandy Hickson’s story reminds us that high performance isn’t just about skill—it’s about the decisions we make under pressure and the people we choose to make them with. Her ability to connect military experience with modern leadership challenges offers a rare and valuable perspective.
