Pilots are a fascinating people. There’s a sort of majestic vibe when pilots announce what they do. Just the thought of being able to jet off to some exotic location at a moment’s notice, is enticing enough. So we weren’t going to let the chance to meet up with Shoug Al-Sabah, a Kuwaiti female pilot (the joy and pride!), pass us by without jumping at the opportunity to interview her. When asked to introduce herself, she started with expressing her love of running and traveling. Her traveling though, is far from the traditional touristic. Her love for adventure and exploration is always taking her to new and striking places. An avid fan of the great outdoors, Shoug would love to live by the beach. Never letting her injury-prone (or clumsy, she’s letting you be the judge of that) self hinder her sense of wonder. Shoug would agree that the strangest side of her is her fear of salt and vinegar chips and those who consume them, and her insistence on hiding her nerdy streak. Then of course there’s the matter of her “almost always late,” being a pilot and all. To wrap it all up, this happy-go-lucky adventurer gleefully announces, “[and] that’s me in a nutshell!”
But of course, we couldn’t just stop there. We just had to know all about how Shoug got into piloting. Enrolling herself at the Barcelona Flight School where she got her private pilot licence, Shoug did the intensive course that took five months to complete. “Basically I had to finish 100 hours of ground school, 50 hours of flying, pass 9 theoretical exams, and a check ride,” she added, “I was flying almost everyday, including weekends.” Talk about intense! A dedicated pilot, her happiest moments are when she’s flying, “Even when I’m being yelled at by the instructor,” she noted, “If I can do it, anyone can.”
How would your mother describe you in one word?
Crazy.
How would you describe your mother in one word?
Supportive.
What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked?
“Why are you always cheerful?”
What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
I decided one morning to take my plane and go to France alone to see the mountains and snow (without having my license yet).
What is your theme song?
“Can’t Touch This” – MC Hammer.
What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?
Suloogi and abundance.
Where would you like to live? What is your dream retirement location?
Peru or Kenya.
What is the first famous quote that comes to mind?
If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you cant walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward. – Martin Luther King Jr. (I think I took this too literally).
What animal best describes the kind of partner you’d be interested in?
Rabbit.
What do you miss about your childhood?
My awesome father and not thinking too much.
If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Amelia Earhart.
Describe your handshake in one word.
Awkward.
What is the toughest part of your character?
I need to constantly change my environment, I get bored easily.
Who is your favorite historical figure?
Amelia Earhart, Sigmund Freud, Wright Brothers, Gandhi, Ibn battuta.
What in the world do you least desire?
People who look down on people.
What do you think is lacking in the world, which if there was more of would make the world a better place?
Humanity and equality.
Why do you think most girls/guys like you?
I always see the best in people.
Finish this sentence: “Happiness is …”
Flying.
Stay updated about Shoug’s adventures by following her on Instagram @Shoug_ns.
