A major American airline has nominated a Saudi woman pilot to be its ambassador. Captain Yasmin Maimani, who took training courses in Jordan to pilot private jets, told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that she has loved flying since she was a child. “I didn't like playing with dolls. I always bought toy airplanes. So a high school friend encouraged me to take an aviation course after finishing high school.” She currently works at the operations department of a private aviation academy. Her father has been an influencing figure in her life and encouraged her to be a pilot despite objections from some of her family members. She says: “I was chosen to be an ambassador for an American airlines company and will complete my studies in the US to get an aviation license. I will also work as an aviation instructor and apply for a higher-degree license.” Yasmin hopes to become a pilot working for Saudi Arabian Airlines. Although she applied for a license to fly in Saudi skies at the Civil Aviation Authority two years ago, her application has not been approved yet. “My dream is not just to get a private jet pilot's license. I want to be one of the most famous pilots in the world.” __
