Wing Commander Sylvie Silver
RISING THROUGH THE RANKS

After more than 30 years in the ATC Wing Commander Sylvie Silver is looking forward to one of her biggest challenges yet.

In April 2005 she will take over as Wing Commander for London Wing moving on promotion from Squadron Leader in Surrey Wing.
Wg Cdr Silver, 50, is excited at the prospect of her new role as it will provide two great challenges - a need to recruit adult staff and to work with more cadets from the ethnic minorities.

She said: "This is a tremendous opportunity for me and I have always tried to take on new challenges. As a staff development officer I'm a believer in getting people to broaden their horizons and have encouraged this so when the opportunity came up I decided it was one I wanted to take up."

Starting her ATC career as a civilian instructor with 39F (Barnes) Squadron, Wg Cdr Silver has risen through the ranks after taking her commission in 1983 and commanding 144 (Richmond) Squadron as a Flight Lieutenant in 1987.

Along with her dedication to the ATC, Wg Cdr Silver who is married to John, a retired VR (T) officer, has two grown up children, Kate who is also a VR(T) Officer and David who is training to be a physiotherapist.

In her private work she is currently the national advice officer for a charity promoting activity provision for older people.

Wg Cdr Silver said: "At times it has been hard to juggle home commitments with ATC activity especially when the children were young. However, when I was at home with the children the ATC was a career for me.

"If a volunteer is enthusiastic and wants to help it doesn't matter how many hours they can commit to each month, the ATC will find a place for them. It's better to have someone do two hours a month than not at all."

With all her experience in ATC Wg Cdr Silver knows how rewarding it can be for adult staff as well as cadets.

She added: "When you see a cadet walk out of a glider after a flight it is amazing to see them grin from ear to ear and know you helped them along the way."