ASOG Article of the Month: March 2021
ASOG Author: Patrick Ryan (ASOG acting Desk Editor)
I had a chance this month to interview one of our new ASOG members - Emma Taylor. It's great that she finally became a core member after many years as a Linked-In connection. Based on her ASOG profile, I reached out to Emma to learn more about her career, thoughts about the ASO profession, and the future.
CURRENT CAREER
Are you currently active as an ASO, and what are you doing?
Yes, I'm currently active as an ASO, carrying out a variety of ISR missions around Europe.
Did you always want to be an ASO, and what was your career path to becoming an ASO?
I've always loved aviation, ever since a young age when I joined my local Air Training Corps Squadron at the age of 13. My first encounter with a surveillance aircraft and ASO was when I worked at my local airfield in Wiltshire whilst studying at college. I worked as ground crew, and the Network Rail surveillance helicopter briefly popped in for some fuel. It was incredibly timely as a week before I had applied for the Network Rail Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme. Little did I know that one day I would spend many happy years operating on that aircraft as an ASO!
After a few years studying hard on the Network Rail apprenticeship scheme, I qualified as a signals and telecommunications engineer, but part of me still felt that perhaps I should have taken the path that I'd always wanted to go down... aviation. I'd had an interview lined up with the RAF but was offered a place with Network Rail in the meantime, which saw me park my RAF dream. My brief encounter with the Network Rail surveillance helicopter kept playing on my mind, and so, I decided to send the Manager of the Network Rail Air Operations team an email. I was then kindly invited to come along and see what the team do. Eventually, an ASO position came up on the team, and the Air Ops Manager took a chance on me, aged 21. The rest is history! I still, to this day, believe it was purely meant to be.
You started your own business. What is the name and focus of your business?
In April 2018, I launched my own business EMTaylor Aviation Ltd. At the time, I was contracting for Airbus Defence & Space and decided to integrate my hobby of flying drones into a business initiative. We now operate Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUAs) on the side, operating as ASO on manned aircraft.
What do you recommend to others if they are contemplating starting their own aerial remote-sensing business?
My advice would be to do your research and create a strong business plan before you proceed with operations. If you have a decent amount of money to invest, research and understand the main demands/appeals before purchasing your remote sensing equipment.
Also, you mentioned you work for DEA Aviation in the U.K., what is your job?
I am a contractor for DEA Aviation Ltd, and my role is Task Specialist Manager. I manage our growing team of airborne sensor operators.
What is it like to work for DEA Aviation?
DEA Aviation is a highly professional and dedicated team that is extremely focused on achieving. They are a pleasure to work with. I briefly had a desk job prior to DEA, so returning to being an ASO with DEA felt like coming home!
PROFESSIONAL HIGHS, LOWS & TIPS
What do you like about being an ASO?
I love the fact that every single day is different. As with any other commercial aviation company, we see different problems and changes that happen daily, which we need to overcome. Even when operating airborne, every day and every flight is different and unique depending on the specific customer requirements.
What are some of the negatives of being an ASO?
Some of the negatives can be when you've had a really long and challenging flight which doesn't result in how you'd hoped. This doesn't happen often, but I think any ASO knows that feeling of frustration when it does.
What is your favorite aircraft, aerial remote-sensing mission, and why?
I must admit I do have a soft spot for operating on rotary aircraft at low altitudes. As much as I love fixed-wing aircraft, rotary never fails to give me that airborne 'buzz.'
What's the best piece of operating advice given to you?
If something doesn't feel right, it most probably isn't. Trust your gut instinct. Don't be afraid to take a step back, review the situation and re-establish onto the target.
What advice would you pass on to someone who wants to be a professional ASO?
Many fantastic ASOs come from a very limited flying background, some with very little experience. It's more about aptitude, attitude, and the ability to adapt and overcome in different scenarios. Never be put off of becoming an ASO by someone saying, "you're not experienced enough." Use the feedback as a means of developing your platform and proving them wrong.
THE FUTURE
What's the biggest change in aerial remote sensing during your flying career?
The biggest change for me is the sheer speed at which remote sensing technology evolves. It takes a very efficient and versatile company to keep up with the pace of these progressions.
What's the one thing you think will change aerial remote sensing in the next 5 years?
UAVs. They are becoming an ever-growing capability in the remote sensing world, and with BLOS proving to be a growing success, I don't think it will be long before UAVs slowly start to take center stage.
What do you see yourself professionally doing in the next 5 to 10 years?
This may sound very cliché, but my main aim is to keep developing myself as a person and to keep enjoying what I'm doing. When you find yourself in a good role with a great team, it becomes very hard to walk away from that. Why would you?
THANK YOU
I want to say thank you to Emma for taking time out of her busy schedule to participate and be the focus of my article. It was a great pleasure to work with her…" Emma, You are a true professional!"
If you have any questions regarding this interview or the "Interview of an ASOG Member" pilot-project, please contact me or send it to deskeditor@aso-group.org.
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