From northern Germany to the tip of Africa. Dietlind’s career has moulded her into one of aviation’s most well-respected figures.
It was Easter time in Germany when Dietlind Lempp took her first flight. Grey clouds hung low over over the North of the country as the family was en route to Spain. Breaking through the clouds and into the bright sunshine above, it was at this moment Dietlind knew she wanted to fly.
Her long and successful career has made her a respected figure within the industry. Flying actively until the age of 60, she has since turned her time to aviation safety auditing. Her current work has taken her to 34 countries on 5 continents and she’s enjoyed every minute of it.
Perhaps most interestingly, she has tapped into her knack for conveying information and written a popular textbook on radio procedures. Her reason for writing the book came from a lack of useful material available at the time of her giving radio lectures. “I was feeling really chuffed when a reputable publisher accepted the book – until they told me what they were going to pay me for it,” she notes. She turned on her heels and left to begin her journey into self-publishing. Over the past 30 years, Dietlind has published 20 editions of the book and sold over 55,000 copies.
With the recent slowdown in aviation related work, she says she’s used the opportunity to sort through her late mother’s diaries and photos. Stored for over 26 years, these documents have allowed her to learn the fascinating history of her family.
Beyond aviation, Dietlind holds an MSc in Zoology which she says she has never used. This perhaps has something to do with that winter’s day in northern Germany and her passion for flying being ignited. She says in her advice to aspiring pilots, “Do what you are passionate about and you will not only succeed, but also enjoy it.”
An enduring and highly regarded figure in aviation, Dietlind has pursued her passion while continuing to educate and inspire.