FIGHTER jet pilot-turned-business adviser Jo Salter is encouraging people to "think differently" when she landed in Belfast to endorse PwC's 'Five Days of Women' programme.
As the UK's first female fighter pilot – and one of only five in the world – Jo made a flying visit to the Waterfront Plaza offices of the business advisory company in her role as director of PwC's People and Organisation team.
Running until today, Five Days of Women features women in business from across Northern Ireland celebrating what they've done and how they've done it.
"They have great stories to tell about their journeys, their successes and the challenges they've faced along the way," said PwC partner Lynne Rainey.
"At PwC, we are passionate about helping our people to develop and succeed, regardless of gender, ethnicity and background."
Salter was the first woman to be an operational Tornado pilot and she later flew from both Turkey and Saudi Arabia in protection of the 'no-fly zone' over Iraq.
On her first visit to Belfast, she said she was looking forward to speaking at the 'No Limits' event and talking about the particular skills needed to function at optimum level on the ground, as well as in the air.
"When I am asked what it was like to fly fighter jets as a woman, I always say it's not about being a woman, but about being the best you can be," she said.
"That is the same for business as well; it's about deploying the same focus, the same resilience, and recognising the same support for well-being in the workplace.
"How you feel and your ability to perform is magnified when you're flying a Tornado or a Hawk, but the principles are the same: anxiety, tiredness or stress impacts people no matter where they are, so my job is to help people function at their very best and to make the most of every opportunity."
Now based in London, she joined the RAF at 18 to be an engineering officer, trained as a combat-ready pilot and went on to fly the Tornado GR1 in 617 Squadron and then the Hawk as a fast jet instructor.
Since leaving military life, the mother of two teenage daughters founded her own business consultancy firm, pursued a successful career as a motivational speaker, become an author and worked as a university lecturer before joining PwC last year.
With a primary degree in electronic systems engineering, she said the transition to technology in business was a fairly straightforward one – although she couldn't quite manage to get flying out of her system completely.
"I took my commercial pilot's licence but when my daughters – now aged 14 and 18 – were younger, I didn't want to fly full-time," she said. "I fly at the weekends now, with the RAF Volunteer Reserves, taking people up in aircraft from the base in Oxfordshire.
"I still feel the joy, the adrenalin and the excitement when I fly with people taking to the skies for their first 'loop'. Recently, I was flying with a young man who let out a loud 'Yee-haa' when he was upside down. Hearing that sort of response is still a highlight.
"My main message to people in Belfast is, when you're upside down, it's scary. Life can be scary, but don't be that person who nearly fills in the form but then gives up."
Her mother bought her the book 'Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway' when she was 22 and it had a huge impact.
"I still get nervous when I talk at a huge conference, but I learned that it's how you use fear that counts," Salter said.
"You can allow it to stop you in your tracks – or you can use it positively and productively and allow it to help you make that presentation – and make it well. I have a passion for human performance and I love to see people knock on the door of every opportunity.
"I like to take time off too, though. The next time I'll be airborne, I'll be sitting way down the cabin with a glass of wine in my hand. I take off for a holiday in Florida soon after I leave Belfast."
