Diversity in Aviation

DIVERSITY IN AVIATION

PERSPECTIVE FROM A “CLOUD MAKER”

When Mohamed Farag was a five-year-old boy in his native homeland of Egypt, he saw three planes in the sky leaving three contrails parallel to one another. Later in the day, he saw three long stretched clouds that were parallel and had a five-year-old “ah ha” moment: planes make clouds, and the people who fly the planes are “cloud makers.”

Mohamed announced that when he grew up, he wanted to be a cloud maker. And that’s exactly what he did.

The Farag family moved to the U.S. when Mohamed was 12 so that he could learn fluent English and pursue flight training at a U.S. university. He graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and, in January 2017, was hired at Republic Airways where he works as a First Officer.

We sat down with the “cloud maker” to get his thoughts on being a pilot, specifically his firsthand perspective about diversity in aviation.

How have you experienced diversity in the aviation industry, from flight training to working as a pilot for Republic?

“During my flight training, I saw quite a bit of diversity with many international students. Only the students who have U.S. citizenship were able to work with U.S. carriers, however, which means many of them return home when their training is complete. Also, it was still very male dominated.

“While gender diversity is changing in the airlines, it’s still at a low percentage. One good sign, however, is that we have higher gender diversity compared to other regions in the world. The top three U.S. airline carriers are the top three airlines worldwide with gender diversity. Schools like LIFT Academy and airlines like Republic are now showing ads with female pilots and male flight attendants, challenging old stereotypes and changing the way they recruit.

“On the line, I usually fly with a nontraditional pilot once a month or so. I believe as the older generation of pilots age and retire, I will see more and more pilots with unique family origins and stories.”

Have you experienced any issues as a pilot due to your heritage? And what advice would you give to young people who think they can’t be a pilot because they don’t “fit in?”

“As an Arabic boy who moved to the States a few years after 9/11, my ambition of flying planes was often met with a long silent stare or an unpleasant comment. I used those opportunities to engage in conversation to help those people have a better understanding and admiration toward my goal and passion for aviation.

“I don’t face any challenges currently due to my ethnicity. I would say it is now an advantage! Airlines are striving to break conventional molds of what a crew should be. If I interviewed with an airline now, my ethnicity and religion would no longer be a deterrent—they would enjoy seeing it and analyze my skills as a pilot solely.

“To those young men and women who are told they aren’t pilot material, I would say this: ‘Don’t believe it!’ Nothing is stopping you from sitting in the cockpit and flying an aircraft in your future. There are challenges along the way, but it’s up to you to overcome them and put the work in.

“Take the concept of ‘I don’t fit in’ out of your head. Gather information on flight training and financial aid. Take a discovery flight or ask if you can go up into the cockpit on a commercial flight, where you’ll see firsthand what we call our ‘office view!’ Or ask for a tour at LIFT, see the flight simulators and planes and talk with instructors about what it truly means to ‘fit in’ as a pilot.”

What do you love most about your job, Mohamed?

“I love so much about my job! First, there’s something different every day. There’s no such thing as a routine flight, and I almost never get bored, which isn’t something you can say about most careers!

“I enjoy the chance to travel, using the flight privileges that come with my job. Going to different places and seeing different cultures is a priceless experience.

“I don’t always work with the same crew members, so every time I work with someone new I get to learn about their life and share stories. And when I see crew members I’ve worked with before, it’s like a mini reunion.

“Finally, I know this sounds nerdy, but the airplane! I love the Embraer 170/175s we fly. They make the quality of life as a pilot better because we don’t feel drained after working with a less modern, more difficult plane.”

Do you see schools like LIFT and other organizations making efforts to encourage diversity in the aviation industry?

“I had a passenger ask me if being a female pilot was possible in the States. The passenger was from a culture where aviation, medical and engineering fields are male dominated. I believe to create a more diverse culture, we must expose and educate the public to the opportunities in aviation.

“LIFT and similar organizations advertise and encourage people of different races, genders and religions to pursue aviation; they also provide assistance and guidance along the way. They are helping people understand that the job is given solely because of the applicant’s accomplishments. Being ‘diverse’ will not hinder you from a career in aviation.”

Any final thoughts to share?

“I would say to anyone pursuing aviation: follow your dream and take the risk. Everything we do in life is a risk. You can choose a ‘safe’ career and have a 9 to 5 job, but years down the road you never know what could happen. Those jobs pose risks, too, so you might as well do what you love.

“Challenge anyone who says you can’t be a pilot. I have had that said to me countless times due to my origins and faith, but it did nothing except add determination to prove them wrong.”

“TO THOSE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE TOLD THEY AREN’T PILOT MATERIAL, I WOULD SAY THIS: ‘DON’T BELIEVE IT!’ ”

Mohamed Farag, Cloud Maker and Republic Airways Pilot