First female Afghan pilot graduates

Niloofar Rhmani made history when she became the first female to successfully complete undergraduate pilot training and earn the status of pilot in Afghanistan, this May. Rhmani, a 21-year-old Kabul native, was one of five UPT Class 12-03 graduates who will proceed to their next level of instruction on the Cessna 208 aircraft. The Afghan Air Force 2nd Lt said: "I am very proud to have made it. I am also very proud to be the first female to do it. I had to work hard but want to show that females in my country, we can do it." The new aviator explained that growing up in Afghanistan as a female and having dreams of being a pilot came with many challenges but was worth all of the sacrifices. "To be the first at anything is challenging," Rhmani said. "I want to be able to serve with my brothers, shoulder-to-shoulder." She explained that as long as she can remember she had a passion for the sky and knew becoming a pilot was exactly what she wanted to do. "My father always wanted to be a pilot, it was his dream, but 40 years ago he couldn't do it," she said. "I wanted to complete his dream for him and become a pilot." While her father was a driving force for her to get where she is now, her entire family has been there and encouraged her from the beginning. "They always believed in me and supported me," Rhmani said. "I could not have done it without my family and the instructors." To be eligible to enter UPT, students must complete an English-as-a-second-language course and can take anywhere from six months to a year-and-a-half depending on the student. Once accepted, student pilots go through a three-phase programme that lasts approximately a year and is modelled after the UPT used by coalition forces. Even though Rhmani and her new brethren are taking a moment to let the achievement sink in and celebrate, she understands that this is only the beginning of a long and challenging journey. "It will be tough, but I am not scared," she said. For someone who broke down boundaries and is creating a new norm, there is no place she would rather be than in the sky, doing what she loves. "It is peaceful up there, I only concentrate on flying," Rhmani said. "Now my goal is to help my country have a bright future and stand up for females. I helped break down the doors for them after me."