Meet Omar Algazar!
Meet Omar Algazar, his eyes were always drawn to the sky. He was captivated by flight, and each time an aircraft flew ahead he looked upwards. Growing up he shared the same passion with his father, who had aspirations of joining the Air Force. His father’s plans changed over the course of his life, but Algazar wanted to make him proud and continued down the path of becoming a pilot. I had the opportunity to sit down with Omar to learn more about who he is, what brought him to Phoenix East Aviation and to see how his training is going.
Give us a brief description of yourself, background and history in aviation.
I’m Omar Algazar, originally from Egypt, but was raised in Saudi Arabia. I do not necessarily have a family who has any history in the aviation industry, but my father had dreams of joining the Air Force when he was younger. I believe that he really instilled this idea in me of becoming a pilot, maybe it was so he could live vicariously through me, but growing up I was always fascinated by the idea of exploring the world.
Did you always want to pursue a career in aviation?
I think as a kid you kind of know what you want to be when you grow up, and of course that can change, but having this idea of becoming a pilot is something that always stuck with me. There’s something magical about being in the sky.
Why did you decide to do your flight training in the US and particularly at PEA, as opposed to your home?
When choosing my path to becoming a pilot, I discovered that for me it wasn’t just about the location – whether in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere. What I truly wanted was an environment that could help really turn my aviation dreams into a reality. While searching for flight schools, Phoenix East Aviation came up. I saw that it was located in the United States, specifically in Florida. I knew that if I was to pursue a career in aviation, flying not only in the United States, but in Florida would be beneficial due to the different airspaces and weather conditions. Aside from the location, what really stood out to me about PEA was their reputation for the quality of flight training, and how diverse it seemed. While looking at their social media accounts and exploring the website, I saw how there were students from all over the world. I reached out to their admissions team, and they were so helpful right from the start. They answered all of my questions and made me feel comfortable. I knew it was going to be the right decision for me. PEA just felt like the perfect fit: it offered everything I was looking for, great training, a diverse environment, and the feeling like I was at home. I started my flight training in October 2021 and have since obtained all my certifications and ratings, from Private through Certified Flight Instructor, and am currently working on my Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII).
What were you most nervous about before you started your flight training?
I was nervous about keeping up with the challenges that come with flight training just because it was something so new to me. I didn’t know if I was going to feel overwhelmed by learning so much information at once from the avionics, to aviation terminology, to learning how to properly communicate with ATC. But once I started, I realized that everyone learns at their own pace and it’s all about remaining focused and persistent.
What was the most memorable moment of your flight training thus far at Phoenix East Aviation?
My first flight was the most memorable moment. I remember sitting behind the yoke and taking off for the first time. It was such an incredible feeling and that moment solidified my passion for aviation.
What is your best advice for future and potential students?
My advice to future students and aspiring pilots is to focus on your own progress and not compare yourself to others. Everyone works at their own pace, but the key is to stay focused and work hard to become the pilot you want to be.
Are you interested in becoming a pilot just like Omar, and are waiting for your flight dreams to take off? Contact info2@pea.com to get in touch with PEA’s Admissions Department. They are here to help you and answer any questions you have regarding flight training.
