بنت المقبالي
30-04-2011, 05:14 PM
ابغي طلب
السلام عيلكم شحالكم
ابغي طلب صغييير ابيكم تلخصولي ها في حدود 10 او 15 سطر بليز بسرعة الاني ابغيه اليوم ضروري
Captain Aysha Al Hamli never considered herself a future role model when undergoing pilot training. In an industry dominated by men, Al Hamli's only desire eight years ago was to fulfil a lifelong flying ambition.
"I was always fascinated with airplanes as a child," she says. "When I looked up into the sky and saw an aircraft fly, I would always ask ‘how is it doing that?'"
My licence started to expire and I realised that university wasn’t right for me – I needed to fly. I couldn’t just stay at school and study.
It's a subject that Al Hamli can now explain, having trained for eight years to become the UAE's first qualified female pilot. In 1999, she joined the Royal Jordanian Air Academy to attain her private and commercial pilot licences and instrument rating certificates.
By 2001, Al Hamli had also secured the certified flight instructor and certified flight instrument instructor accreditations. "The initial training was just basic stuff, which at the time was fun for me because I was young and enjoying it," Al Hamli says. "It then became more mature and I had extra responsibility, but it gets easier as I grow older and gain experience."
While studying for flight training qualifications, Al Hamli was also developing her piloting skills on board an A200. During the past eight years, she has accumulated some 2100 hours experience and continues to fly. She has also completed several other pilot training courses, including the Young Ambassadors Program in the US and United Nation System's testing in Geneva. For Al Hamli, learning English was just as important as gaining her license and qualifications. "It's one of the requirements to become a pilot because your education is all based on English technical terms," she says. "I have learned the language since I was 15 years old but it was imposed on me back then - to fly I had no choice.
It was difficult for me at the beginning because I needed to translate every single word and you can't find the technical term in the dictionary for some, but you eventually get used to it."
Despite her credentials, Al Hamli initially struggled to find a job. "It wasn't too difficult to get involved in the flying school but it was very tough to find a job right away because I was very young and inexperienced. It was discouraging at some points because I was exhausted after applying for so many positions - I'd been through a lot of physical, mental and technical exams and felt drained."
The regular rejections took their toll, with Al Hamli putting her pilot career on hold in 2001. To keep herself busy, she studied social and behavioural sciences at Zayed University. But the desire to fly eventually proved too strong.
After 12 months studying, Al Hamli was determined to fulfil her ambition at the second attempt. "My licence started to expire and I realised that university wasn't right for me - I needed to fly. I couldn't just stay at school and study." Getting into the industry before her licence expired was another factor behind Al Hamli's renewed interest. "The licence expires after a certain period of time and you have to keep current in order to maintain it," she says. "You have proficiency checks every six months and other tests every year.
"In the UAE, the licence runs out depending on which company you work with. I realised while at university that mine was going to expire soon, which is when I started becoming more aggressive about getting a job with one of the airlines."
Al Hamli's tenacity paid off, with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) enlisting her in 2003. Her role was to pilot Dash-8 200s for the company, which transports workers and equipment to offshore oilfields in the Middle East. The experience was invaluable, enabling Al Hamli to hone her flying skills while studying at Zayed University.
Nevertheless, Al Hamli admits studying and working full time was a struggle. "I usually had to work five days a week at Abu Dhabi Aviation and then two days a week at university," she says. "When I had days off at university I flew and when I wasn't flying I concentrated on my studies to balance things out."
Earlier this year, Al Hamli left ADA to join UAE General Civil Aviation's (GCAA) air transport department as senior regulation officer. Her duties involve accident investigation, establishing bilateral agreements with other nations and advising on new regulations. It's a challenging role that requires an aptitude for complex technical and political issues.
But Al Hamli has settled well into her latest position. She now plans to juggle her duties and take on extra work as a pilot for one of the region's carriers. "I can't say which airline I'm going to work with but it will be a national carrier," she says. It's part of my job with the GCAA, although nothing has been confirmed yet."
Once assigned to one of the carriers, Al Hamli will learn which destinations she is expected to fly to. Having always wanted to be a pilot, Al Hamli is excited by the prospect of potentially joining a leading airline. But taking responsibility for hundreds of lives is a sobering thought. Indeed, Al Hamli admits ensuring passenger safety is a huge role that requires a calm demeanour and cool head. "At the beginning you care more about your own well being, but when there is an emergency or when something goes wrong you tend to think more about getting people down safely.
There is a psychological pressure to deal with and overcome, which is natural for all pilots.
"Usually when you fly you always think about the safety of the airplane because if you save the airplane you save the people and yourself."
During her relatively short piloting career, Al Hamli, has occasionally experienced technical difficulties but insists this is normal. In some instances, in-flight glitches have forced her to turn back as a precautionary measure shortly after departure.
"When you fly without any snags or technical defaults it's so easy and relaxing. But when something goes wrong the pressure and stress increases and you think about a lot of stuff. There is a psychological pressure to deal with and overcome, which is natural for all pilots." As the UAE's first female pilot, Al Hamli is considered an inspiration to young women in this region. She appears comfortable with the role and is confident that her experiences will encourage other women in the UAE to follow suit.
In June, Al Hamli was asked by the International Civil Aviation Organisation to talk about her aviation background during a conference in Montreal. While speaking at the event, which was organised to promote the General Civil Aviation Association's work, Al Hamli supported UAE leaders for attracting women to industries traditionally populated by men. Her determination to enter a once closed profession appears to be rubbing off, with Al Hamli's sister taking private flying lessons and two female friends joining flying schools.
"It's actually an advantage to be a woman at the moment because people are pushing us into all fields," Al Hamli says, re-emphasising her comments in Montreal. "It was difficult when I started, but women have since entered more fields. In my first year flying, I had to prove myself and it's the same with work. But now it is easier to find another job because I have proved myself in this industry."
With several responsibilities and duties to fulfil, Al Hamli admits she has little time to relax. Nevertheless, when the 20-something pilot isn't working, she indulges another passion: sport.
Since she was teenager, Al Hamli has played tennis and figure skated whenever time permitted. She also likes to spend time with her family, although work commitments leave little room for socialising with friends.
"I don't have a very rich social life because of my work, so my relationship with my family is very strong. We spend most of our time together when I am at home. I have my close friends who understand my job and we enjoy the little time we have together, but I am very happy with the way I run my life. I socialise when it's needed but most of the time I have other stuff to do."
Despite a limited social life, Al Hamli considers herself lucky to be a pilot. She recognises that many people take little pleasure from their work. But Al Hamli insists a drive to succeed, coupled with a strong passion for the industry, have contributed to her success.
"Working in a job that you love keeps you motivated and makes you feel like you have accomplished something at the end of each day. I am the kind of person who will never do anything without having passion. When I am passionate about something I am really committed and it keeps me going."
For Al Hamli, focusing on her role at the GCAA and piloting career are the main objectives. But she doesn't rule out treading a new path in later years. Like aviation, politics has long been a passion, with Al Hamli keen to secure a role that combines the two.
"I honestly can't say where I will be in 10 years time but I have always been passionate about politics. Who knows what will happen, but I plan to keep my options open."
السلام عيلكم شحالكم
ابغي طلب صغييير ابيكم تلخصولي ها في حدود 10 او 15 سطر بليز بسرعة الاني ابغيه اليوم ضروري
Captain Aysha Al Hamli never considered herself a future role model when undergoing pilot training. In an industry dominated by men, Al Hamli's only desire eight years ago was to fulfil a lifelong flying ambition.
"I was always fascinated with airplanes as a child," she says. "When I looked up into the sky and saw an aircraft fly, I would always ask ‘how is it doing that?'"
My licence started to expire and I realised that university wasn’t right for me – I needed to fly. I couldn’t just stay at school and study.
It's a subject that Al Hamli can now explain, having trained for eight years to become the UAE's first qualified female pilot. In 1999, she joined the Royal Jordanian Air Academy to attain her private and commercial pilot licences and instrument rating certificates.
By 2001, Al Hamli had also secured the certified flight instructor and certified flight instrument instructor accreditations. "The initial training was just basic stuff, which at the time was fun for me because I was young and enjoying it," Al Hamli says. "It then became more mature and I had extra responsibility, but it gets easier as I grow older and gain experience."
While studying for flight training qualifications, Al Hamli was also developing her piloting skills on board an A200. During the past eight years, she has accumulated some 2100 hours experience and continues to fly. She has also completed several other pilot training courses, including the Young Ambassadors Program in the US and United Nation System's testing in Geneva. For Al Hamli, learning English was just as important as gaining her license and qualifications. "It's one of the requirements to become a pilot because your education is all based on English technical terms," she says. "I have learned the language since I was 15 years old but it was imposed on me back then - to fly I had no choice.
It was difficult for me at the beginning because I needed to translate every single word and you can't find the technical term in the dictionary for some, but you eventually get used to it."
Despite her credentials, Al Hamli initially struggled to find a job. "It wasn't too difficult to get involved in the flying school but it was very tough to find a job right away because I was very young and inexperienced. It was discouraging at some points because I was exhausted after applying for so many positions - I'd been through a lot of physical, mental and technical exams and felt drained."
The regular rejections took their toll, with Al Hamli putting her pilot career on hold in 2001. To keep herself busy, she studied social and behavioural sciences at Zayed University. But the desire to fly eventually proved too strong.
After 12 months studying, Al Hamli was determined to fulfil her ambition at the second attempt. "My licence started to expire and I realised that university wasn't right for me - I needed to fly. I couldn't just stay at school and study." Getting into the industry before her licence expired was another factor behind Al Hamli's renewed interest. "The licence expires after a certain period of time and you have to keep current in order to maintain it," she says. "You have proficiency checks every six months and other tests every year.
"In the UAE, the licence runs out depending on which company you work with. I realised while at university that mine was going to expire soon, which is when I started becoming more aggressive about getting a job with one of the airlines."
Al Hamli's tenacity paid off, with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) enlisting her in 2003. Her role was to pilot Dash-8 200s for the company, which transports workers and equipment to offshore oilfields in the Middle East. The experience was invaluable, enabling Al Hamli to hone her flying skills while studying at Zayed University.
Nevertheless, Al Hamli admits studying and working full time was a struggle. "I usually had to work five days a week at Abu Dhabi Aviation and then two days a week at university," she says. "When I had days off at university I flew and when I wasn't flying I concentrated on my studies to balance things out."
Earlier this year, Al Hamli left ADA to join UAE General Civil Aviation's (GCAA) air transport department as senior regulation officer. Her duties involve accident investigation, establishing bilateral agreements with other nations and advising on new regulations. It's a challenging role that requires an aptitude for complex technical and political issues.
But Al Hamli has settled well into her latest position. She now plans to juggle her duties and take on extra work as a pilot for one of the region's carriers. "I can't say which airline I'm going to work with but it will be a national carrier," she says. It's part of my job with the GCAA, although nothing has been confirmed yet."
Once assigned to one of the carriers, Al Hamli will learn which destinations she is expected to fly to. Having always wanted to be a pilot, Al Hamli is excited by the prospect of potentially joining a leading airline. But taking responsibility for hundreds of lives is a sobering thought. Indeed, Al Hamli admits ensuring passenger safety is a huge role that requires a calm demeanour and cool head. "At the beginning you care more about your own well being, but when there is an emergency or when something goes wrong you tend to think more about getting people down safely.
There is a psychological pressure to deal with and overcome, which is natural for all pilots.
"Usually when you fly you always think about the safety of the airplane because if you save the airplane you save the people and yourself."
During her relatively short piloting career, Al Hamli, has occasionally experienced technical difficulties but insists this is normal. In some instances, in-flight glitches have forced her to turn back as a precautionary measure shortly after departure.
"When you fly without any snags or technical defaults it's so easy and relaxing. But when something goes wrong the pressure and stress increases and you think about a lot of stuff. There is a psychological pressure to deal with and overcome, which is natural for all pilots." As the UAE's first female pilot, Al Hamli is considered an inspiration to young women in this region. She appears comfortable with the role and is confident that her experiences will encourage other women in the UAE to follow suit.
In June, Al Hamli was asked by the International Civil Aviation Organisation to talk about her aviation background during a conference in Montreal. While speaking at the event, which was organised to promote the General Civil Aviation Association's work, Al Hamli supported UAE leaders for attracting women to industries traditionally populated by men. Her determination to enter a once closed profession appears to be rubbing off, with Al Hamli's sister taking private flying lessons and two female friends joining flying schools.
"It's actually an advantage to be a woman at the moment because people are pushing us into all fields," Al Hamli says, re-emphasising her comments in Montreal. "It was difficult when I started, but women have since entered more fields. In my first year flying, I had to prove myself and it's the same with work. But now it is easier to find another job because I have proved myself in this industry."
With several responsibilities and duties to fulfil, Al Hamli admits she has little time to relax. Nevertheless, when the 20-something pilot isn't working, she indulges another passion: sport.
Since she was teenager, Al Hamli has played tennis and figure skated whenever time permitted. She also likes to spend time with her family, although work commitments leave little room for socialising with friends.
"I don't have a very rich social life because of my work, so my relationship with my family is very strong. We spend most of our time together when I am at home. I have my close friends who understand my job and we enjoy the little time we have together, but I am very happy with the way I run my life. I socialise when it's needed but most of the time I have other stuff to do."
Despite a limited social life, Al Hamli considers herself lucky to be a pilot. She recognises that many people take little pleasure from their work. But Al Hamli insists a drive to succeed, coupled with a strong passion for the industry, have contributed to her success.
"Working in a job that you love keeps you motivated and makes you feel like you have accomplished something at the end of each day. I am the kind of person who will never do anything without having passion. When I am passionate about something I am really committed and it keeps me going."
For Al Hamli, focusing on her role at the GCAA and piloting career are the main objectives. But she doesn't rule out treading a new path in later years. Like aviation, politics has long been a passion, with Al Hamli keen to secure a role that combines the two.
"I honestly can't say where I will be in 10 years time but I have always been passionate about politics. Who knows what will happen, but I plan to keep my options open."