An Emirates pilot has offered a glimpse inside her day-to-day life in the cockpit.
Heidi McDiarmid, from Melbourne, has been working as the airline’s first officer – second-in-command of the aircraft to the captain – for almost four years.
The 35-year-old has lifted the lid on what it’s really like to operate the Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 777 Freighter at 35,000 feet.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, she shared her day-to-day role, myths, her sky-high beauty and skincare regimes, sleeping on long-haul flights – and what she always packs in her carry-on luggage.
All aboard! Emirates pilot Heidi McDiarmid (pictured) has offered a glimpse inside her day-to-day life in the cockpit
The 35-year-old has been working as the airline’s first officer – second-in-command of the aircraft to the captain – for almost four years
DAY-TO-DAY ROLE
Before every flight, the international pilot said she gets picked up by an Emirates chauffeur outside her home and gets driven to the airport for work.
‘There I meet the captain and we head out to our aircraft, make our preparations and depart,’ Heidi told Daily Mail Australia to mark International Women’s Day.
‘Flight to flight we alternate roles as either the pilot flying or pilot monitoring. The pilot flying does the take-off, landing and all in-flight manoeuvring, while the pilot monitoring observes safety of flight and communications.
‘Post-flight we pack up and head to our hotel to rest and enjoy the variety of Emirates’ vibrant destinations.’
BIGGEST MYTHS OF FLYING
Heidi debunked one of the age-old myths: ‘Can a pilot officiate a marriage in the air?’
‘One of the most widely believed myths is that a pilot can legally marry you, unfortunately that is not true,’ she said.
‘Another myth of flying is that the co-pilot or first officer isn’t a fully qualified pilot. This is not true, in fact they share the pilot flying and pilot monitoring role with the captain.’
The airline’s first officer (pictured with her captain Ellen Roz) revealed what it’s really like to operate the Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 777 Freighter at 35,000 feet
Outside of her sky-high job, Heidi is a part time personal trainer so health and fitness are a major part of her life
BEAUTY SECRETS
When she’s flying, Heidi has her go-to makeup brands she uses.
‘I wear Young Blood mineral foundation as it’s long wear, has SPF and doesn’t get oily. To revamp my makeup, I bring my NARS bronzer, Stila eyeliner and Anastasia Beverly Hills brow pencil,’ she said.
SKINCARE REGIME
She said drinking water is the number one trick to looking after your skin on board, especially on long-haul flights.
‘Everybody has their own skin routine, but nothing beats staying on top of your hydration levels. The low humidity at altitude means that moisture evaporates from your body faster than usual, which can lead to dehydration and skin problems,’ she said.
To keep her skin looking fresh, she always ensures she stays well hydrated by drinking anywhere between two to five litres of water, depending on the length of the flight.
‘On a long flight I bring a small amount of my Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm to wash my face – and Kiehl’s Oil Free Gel Cream and Super Multi Correcting Eye Serum to hydrate my skin,’ she said.
For long-haul flights, Heidi said she always brings a facial mist spray, sunscreen, lip balm and a moisturiser in her carry on bag.
‘The pressurised cabin air is not great for skin, particularly on long-haul flights. To combat these effects, I always try to increase my water intake and make sure I pack a super hydrating moisturiser and lip balm as remedies,’ she said.
‘A facial mist spray can be super refreshing as well as the hand towels cabin crew hand out upon arrival. The glare through the windscreen can also affect the skin, so I usually pack a sunscreen to use as protection.’
Before every flight, the pilot (pictured with captains Ellen Roz, centre, and Heather Wolf, left) said she gets picked up by a chauffeur outside her home and gets driven to the airport for work
Heidi – who’s also a part time personal trainer – said she competes in shows for the WBFF (World Beauty Fitness and Fashion) so she’s ‘generally very strict’ with her food choices
Heidi – who’s also a part time personal trainer – said she competes in shows for the WBFF (World Beauty Fitness and Fashion) so she’s ‘generally very strict’ with her food choices
AVERAGE DAY ON A PLATE
Heidi – who’s also a part time personal trainer – said she competes in shows for the WBFF (World Beauty Fitness and Fashion) so she’s ‘generally very strict’ with her food choices.
‘Health and fitness are a major part of my life,’ she said.
‘My average day on a plate is probably a little different to most. I am always trying to fuel my body with whole foods that make me feel fantastic.
‘At destinations I either hit the supermarket for fresh produce when I arrive or make specific requests at restaurants to meet my dietary requirements.’
She starts her morning with a high protein breakfast of steak or eggs.
‘For breakfast, I enjoy steak or another protein source, eggs and vegetables before moving on to chicken and salad for lunch,’ she said.
‘For dinner, I often have vegetables, rice and a protein such as fish, chicken or beef. Then for some snacks, I love fresh fruit, eggs, Greek yoghurt, homemade protein ice cream, nuts and honey, nut butter or mayonnaise on rice cakes.’
SLEEPING ON LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS
Heidi said the airline has systems in place to ensure there is ‘no potential for fatigue’ in the cockpit, using two crew members.
‘The operating crew takes control of the first half of the flight, while taking a break in specially designed areas while the augmenting crew takes control,’ she explained.
‘This system is in place to allow the captain and first officer, who will be executing approach and landing at the destination airport, maximum resting opportunities. On the return trip, the roles are reversed so workloads are shared equally.
‘In addition, Emirates also provides guidance to crews around sleep patterns and working to these strict guidelines helps things to go smoothly in the air.’
PILOT TRAINING
Like any flying job, Heidi said it takes ‘hard work, determination and passion’ to become a pilot for the commercial airline.
‘The training itself only took me two years to secure a commercial license, with a frozen Air Transport Pilot License,’ she said.
‘After that I did my instructor rating over a few months then began working as a grade three instructor. I then did my multi engine instrument rating and got my first job with a commercial airline.
‘Ideally, you’ll have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, as well as ground training and passes in CASA pilot exams. An Air Transport Pilot Licence is a must in addition to being able to meet medical requirements, such as good general health, decent vision and hearing.
‘Finally, strong communication skills and problem-solving ability. Pilots needs to be able to be clear and concise in messaging and have a fast reaction time.’
Heidi said she knew she wanted to become a pilot since she was a little girl growing up
To keep her skin looking fresh, she always ensures she stays well hydrated by drinking anywhere between two to five litres of water, depending on the length of the flight
LIFE AS A PILOT
Heidi said she knew she wanted to become a pilot since she was a little girl.
‘I used to travel often with my family growing up and my dad would always ask cabin crew if I could see the flight deck. Once, I got to sit in the flight deck of a 737 for landing and I fell in love with it. I was absolutely mesmerised,’ she said.
‘It was then I decided I wanted to be a pilot and worked with determination to achieve that goal.’
Since working as a pilot, her role has allowed her to explore new cultures, people and different cuisines around the world.
‘I love the adventure of it all. There is always something different to take away from each destination I fly to and visit,’ she said.
‘Some of my favourite destinations include Tulum for the amazing vibe, Uganda for the incredible gorillas and Nepal for the Everest base camp trek, which was truly stunning.
‘My most memorable flight experience is either my first solo flight in a Cessna 172 when I was a student or my first flight with passengers on the Boeing 777.’
Her advice too all travellers: ‘Life is short, and the world is wide. So like Oscar Wilde said, “live with no excuses and travel with no regrets”.’