First Woman to be a Royal Navy ‘Black Cat’ Helicopter Pilot
September 2010, RNAS Yeovilton Air Base
b.1974, Oxford
Lieutenant Commander RS Becky Frater RN has attained numerous military firsts for women, including command of a Naval air squadron and qualifying as a helicopter instructor (including A2). In 2010, when she was 36 years old, Becky also became the first female member and lead pilot of the Royal Navy ‘Black Cats’ display team (the Navy equivalent of the red arrows). Before joining the Royal Navy she was a helicopter instructor and spent five years doing a front line tour. She is currently a major in the British Army.