NAME: DR Alasdair MacKay
ROLE: Aviation and Space Medicine Registrar
Favourite Aircraft: English Electric Lightning
TWITTER BIO: @Dr_A_MacKay
What is your role in aerospace medicine?
I am an Aviation and Space Medicine Registrar at the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine.
How Did You First Get Interested in This Field?
Growing up in the Outer Hebrides, I was fascinated by the Tornados flying into RAF Stornoway and remember the incredible noise they would make coming into land. Those early memories of aviation have stayed with me.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED?
As an RAF GP I was lucky enough to be posted to Cyprus. For two years I was the aviation medicine point of contact for the aircrew of the various visiting squadrons. Spending time with the squadrons, learning about their routines and understanding their varied operating environments was one of my career highlights.
The opportunity arose to join the Aviation and Space Medicine cadre and given my love of aviation and the focus on research, it was an easy decision to make.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE TO TEN YEARS?
Hopefully a consultant in Aviation and Space Medicine, working in a dynamic, exciting specialty with like-minded individuals. I hope to be able to inspire others and share my enthusiasm for the best job in the RAF!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO WANT TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?
Embrace all of the diverse opportunities that arise at whatever stage of training you are at. Aerospace Medicine is incredibly broad and covers most medical specialties and there are opportunities to get involved at every level.
What IS ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENTS IN AEROSPACE MEDICINE SO FAR?
It is important that we have a thorough understanding of how aircraft operate, what the dangers are for the aircrew as well as for the emergency responders in case of an accident. I remember crawling into the bomb bay of very special visiting aircraft and thinking, this is an interesting job, I want to do more of this!