First Officer Habib A. Ahary, ALPA Member, JetBlue Airways
My name is Habib A. Ahary, an Arab American born and raised in New York City. I have had a passion for aviation since I was very young, and shortly after the arrival of my first child, I decided to pursue this passion. Becoming a full-time Vaughn College student, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in aircraft operations with a minor in air traffic control. I completed all my flight training at the Academy of Aviation in Long Island, N.Y., where I became a full-time certified flight instructor to build my hours.
My partners and I created Arab American Aviation Professionals (AAAP) as a way become mentors for our community and promote aviation careers—pilots, air traffic controllers, and aircraft maintenance technicians. We have hosted “Aviation Night” events, where we’ve shared discovery flights with youth in our community and exchanged information to guide and mentor those who are interested in aviation. AAAP is currently a nonprofit in New York, but our goal is to become a 501(c)(3) and continue guiding, mentoring, and doing events for those who are not exposed to different aviation careers.
During Arab American Heritage month, we reflect on where our families came from and how they embarked on a journey to provide and build a better life for their families and live the American dream. Our goal as an organization is to keep giving back and not forget those who need guidance. As Arab Americans, we have a duty to give back to our communities regardless of their background. Aviation is the field we know; there’s a high demand for these professions, and we are here to help Arab-Americans achieve them.
AAAP is a nonprofit organization that will take our community to the next level. They say the “sky is the limit,” but with our organization, there is no limit, just endless possibilities. Join the one and only professional aviation organization that is inspiring the Arab-American community and helping to open many doors. We thought long hard about creating this organization, and while we are still new and building its foundation, we are constantly meeting and discussing ways to build on what we’ve started.Visit our website to learn more.