This episode of Breaking Free is a special one, recorded from my home in Amman-Jordan with my Dad as my guest. My father dreamt of becoming a pilot when he grew up, it seemed like an impossible dream as the fifth child in a big family with very little income or education.
I love how he didn't let this stop him from believing and eventually manifesting his dream. He taught himself English from magazines and dictionaries, studied flight manuals and saved up money working as an electronic technician in the Gulf till he managed to reach a flight school in America. His goals didn't stop there and unexpected surprises from the Universe were around every corner, one of which was a very special meeting with His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan.
Today, we discuss:
The early days growing up with Kurdish/ Circassian parents in Jordan as a middle child of nine siblings (2:00)
Joining the army and training as an electronic technician (6:10)
How his eldest brother sent him to the frontline in Qibya, Palestine as punishment just before the massacre in 1953 by Ariel Sharon (10.44)
A job in Qatar and Kuwait helps him save the money he needs for flight school (16:00)
From Liverpool to New York in nine days by boat and a 6 day trip by bus to L.A.(21:30)
A surprise visit by King Hussein of Jordan (23:00)
Training in France on a jet caravelle and hired as a first officer in Royal Jordanian airlines (26:00)
Trained on the Boeing 707 (28:10)
A move to Iran Air that was cut short by the Islamic Revolution in 1978-79 (28:45)
Tri-star and bigger dreams (30:22)
After retirement (34:22)
What my Father would say to his younger self and younger generations (35:19)
Let’s connect!
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