A former Royal Marine, who survived a Taliban bomb, but suffered severe burns over a quarter of his body has reached new heights by developing a career as a commercial airline pilot – thanks to an Aberdeen charity.
Having already completed one tour of war-torn Afghanistan, it was on his second visit in 2008 when Marc Goddard was stricken by serious burns and multiple complex fractures after the Viking armoured vehicle he was driving, was destroyed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Helmand Province.
Mr Goddard spent the next four years recovering from his horrific injuries and had to endure major leg reconstruction.
After a brief stint as a landscape gardener, he looked to the skies and began his training with the Wings for Warriors charity in 2015.
He has always refused to let his injuries define him and now, aged 31, is ready to take control of massive commercial airliners for operator TUI by the end of the year.
Wings for Warriors was set up by helicopter pilot Mark Radcliffe to give former servicemen a second chance in their lives with a new career.
The Aberdeen-registered charity previously drew up plans for creating a permanent base in the city, but has decided to focus on funding expensive and lengthy training to help would-be pilots off the ground.
Originally from Norwich, Mr Goddard said he would look back fondly on his time training in the north-east.
He said: “Ever since leaving school, I knew nothing else but working to high standards and the importance and strength of small well-gelled teams.
“Aviation is one sector in the civilian world that reflects this and has similar core values where everyone is working together to ensure mission success.
“I spent the majority of my flight training in the north-east of Scotland – and what a place to learn to fly it has been!
“(There are) challenges with weather, but some of the scenery is as good as it gets.”
Mr Radcliffe added: “To be successful in this endeavour, veterans are required to work hard for themselves, to study, to learn and to channel their attention to detail, discipline and professionalism into a new identity.
“For those who have the right attitude and can last the distance, there is real value in making this self-directed transition.”
