Young pilot's unique navigation to the skies

By Rawlings Otieno

Going by his petite stature, one might think he is a high school student.

But Suleiman Hamud is a flight instructor and pilot of the Cessan 172 aircraft in theory and practicals.

The 25-year-old had always wanted to fly all kinds of planes but hurdles were placed on his path.

"When America was bombed in 2001, people said I would never make it as pilot because of then branding of people of Arab descent. I had the passion of flying so I soldiered on," he says.

"I also fell in love with imparting knowledge to others, so I became an instructor," adds the confident pilot.

Suleiman Hamud in action at the training school in Nairobi. [Photo: Rawlings Otieno/Standard]

Asked if he ever feels intimidated while in class addressing people who are much older than him, he says: "No. On the contrary they love the way I teach."

Some luck

Hamud comfortably shows the students how to fly the Cessna 172 and 152 second generation model trainer planes at the Skylink Aviation School, at Wilson Airport.

His dream is to start an aviation company in the next five years.

"The story of how I became a pilot is an interesting one thanks in part to good academic performance and in part to sheer luck," says the first officer, who works for Kenya Airways.

In 2004, he completed his KCSE at Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Secondary School, scoring A in Maths and Physics. Apparently, he never studied Geography, which has always been a requisite subject in aviation.

"I always wanted to be a pilot, but I had to study Bachelor of Commerce first. I was never a genius. In aviation, we don’t need geniuses, because they lack coordination of the brain, movement and sports," says Hamud.

After receiving his results, he attended CMC Aviation School at Wilson while waiting to go to University of Nairobi to pursue his Bachelor of Commerce.

Though this dimmed his hope, he still looked forward to studying aviation.

"While in second year at the university, I finished my Commercial Pilot Licence. I was moved to Chiromo Campus from Kabete and started attending evening classes and during the day, instructing aviation students," adds Hamud.

Lifestyle

At least 30 aviation students pass through him per year and his flight log reads 3,200 hours and he has flown many VIPs, executives and celebrities.

He says it feels great to be a pilot and an instructor.

Contrary to others in his profession, he says he leads a down to earth life, avoiding extravagance and choosing a quiet lifestyle as he goes about his other duties.

"In 10 years, I hope to be a Chief Executive Officer to match Virgin Atlantic Airlines," says an optimistic Hamud.

But Hamud is not only offering flight training, but also offers guidance and counselling for free at the school to all the students.

Asked why he decided to introduce that, the soft-spoken man says: "The biggest social problems in the aviation industry mostly for men are women, cars and managing family."

He says most male pilots indulge in reckless sex because of the money that comes with it. Hamud says he wants to play a role in reducing the number of new HIV infections in the aviation industry.

"Size, age and gender should not deter one from realising a dream. All that is required is hard work and belief in oneself," says the young mentor.

He says though it is fun flying and showing students how to do it, the profession has its challenges.

Challenges

"Once you get to this industry your social life is curtailed. I rarely meet with my colleagues because when I am off duty, my friends are working. Pilots have different schedules," says Hamud.

There is also the possibility of a mishap like engine failure, which tests a pilots problem-solving ability.

"Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests," he says as his parting shot.