Profile
Ryan Durnall
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About Me:
Hello! I’m Ryan and I fix fighter jets for the Royal Air Force. I live in Newcastle with my girlfriend, but work in Lincoln during the week. I also fly airplanes as a hobby, I love all kinds of music, weather, space exploration and long walks where I can enjoy the peace and quiet (far away from jet noise). I’m also here to prove you can have a successful career in STEM without a degree, or even A-Levels!
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I maintain and fix one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world – the Eurofighter Typhoon. I have been a mechanical technician on this aircraft for over 9 years and I’m still learning something new every day!
When I left school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for a career. I wanted to be a pilot, but I didn’t think my qualifications were good enough or that I was smart enough. I didn’t enjoy exams, so I decided to avoid A-levels and take a different path entirely. After studying music technology for two years (my biggest passion after aircraft), I decided to attempt to join the Royal Air Force as an aircraft technician. To my surprise, I was accepted.
Not long after I joined the RAF, I applied for a pilot scholarship. An even bigger surprise was that I was accepted for this also. I had gone from thinking I wasn’t good enough to get anywhere close to an aircraft, to having my first flying lesson in less than 18 months.
I am now an experienced mechanical aircraft technician supervisor on the Typhoon, and I fly in my spare time as a hobby. The picture below is the Typhoon, and the one below that is the aircraft I fly (Just as cool as the Typhoon, of course, but not quite as fast!).
In the future, I am hoping to have a slight career change, and fly airplanes for a job instead of fixing them.
I am very passionate about helping young people realise that there is no set path into a STEM career, and there are many opportunities even if you have a tough time with school and/or exams. I have got to where I am without A-levels or having been to University and it was a huge challenge but if I can do it – anyone can!
Enjoy some of the beautiful views I’ve had the privilege of enjoying while flying…
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My pronouns are:
He/him
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My Work:
I maintain and fix fighter jets for the Royal Air Force. I am responsible for all of the mechanical systems on the Typhoon aircraft. This includes the engines, fuel systems, hydraulics, wheels, brakes, environmental control systems and flying controls to name a few.
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As a mechanical supervisor, it is my job to ensure that all work carried out by my technicians is done safely.
Where I currently work, we basically take the aircraft to pieces, inspect all of the components, and then put it back together again and test it to make sure it works. Think of it as a huge, complex lego build! The whole process for one aircraft can take >6 months, and that’s why we call it ‘depth’ maintenance, because we dig very deep into the aircraft to make sure there are no faults or damage that might not be visible usually.
Keeping our aircraft fit to fly is really important, as they are responsible for being ready 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to carry out a role called ‘Quick Reaction Alert’. We have pilots and engineers ready to get the jets into the air at a moments notice, to respond to any potential threats in UK airspace. (Yes, even on Christmas Day!) If you have access to YouTube, see the video below to see what Quick Reaction Alert involves and the process of scrambling our aircraft…
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d like to develop a presentation with interactive aspects that I can present to schools around the UK, promoting careers in engineering and wider STEM subjects, particularly focusing on inspiring those from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not even know what opportunities are available to them.
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Education:
- St Giles C of E Primary School, Shrewsbury.
- Belvidere Secondary School, Shrewsbury.
- Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology to study Music Technology.
- Royal Air Force Halton, Buckinghamshire for RAF basic training.
- Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering for aircraft technician training
- RAF Cosford Flying Club to gain my Private Pilots Licence
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Qualifications:
6 GCSE’s ranging from B’s to C’s – not what you would expect for someone in a STEM career…
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Technology.
NVQ Level 3 in Aeronatical Engineering
I have also gained a vast amount of qualifications in various subjects ranging from Continuous Improvement to Environmental Waste Management during my time in the RAF.
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Work History:
I joined the RAF at 19 and that was my first real job!
- Aircraft Maintenace Mechanic (2015 – 2017)
- Aircraft Technician (2017 – 2022)
- Aircraft Technician Supervisor (2022-Present)
Other roles I have undertaken voluntarily;
- STEM Ambassador
- RAF Typhoon Display Team Public Relations Manager
- Duty Operations Supervisor at RAF Cosford Flying Club
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Current Job:
Mechanical Aircraft Technician Supervisor
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Employer:
Royal Air Force
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Music-loving engineer
What did you want to be after you left school?
A music producer/songwriter or sound engineer.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Regrettably, yes. I struggled to pay attention, and I was easily distracted. This led to a very average set of exam results, and made me believe I couldn't pursue the career I had dreamed of as a child.
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Intelligence Agent for MI5 (I never grew out of my childhood 'wanting to be a spy' phase)
Who is your favourite singer or band?
This is a very difficult question for someone who loves so many different singers and bands, but I will go with my 'first' favourite band, which is Coldplay. I saw them live in 2012 and it was an incredible show.
What's your favourite food?
I like chocolate probably a little too much.
Tell us a joke.
Will invisible airplanes ever be a thing? I just can't see them taking off...
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