VAI Webinar, Jan. 22: Pay It Forward – Afghan Pilots in the USA Supporting those who risked it all to help the United States. When the United States pulled out of Afghanistan in 2021, many US-trained Afghan nationals were left behind. Several were dedicated helicopter pilots, employed to support US operations. Slowly, most of these pilots found their way out of Afghanistan and were sponsored by the US State Department to enter and work in the United States. To escape persecution, however, many of them destroyed their documentation, including their logbooks. Skilled in operating Black Hawks, MD 530 gunships, and even Mi-17s, these pilots found themselves unable to provide proof of their experience to gain FAA certification. After learning from friends in the US Army Special Forces about the pilots and their desire to enter the US helicopter workforce, Helicopter Institute President and 2021–22 VAI (then HAI) Chair Randy Rowles stepped in to help. He’s since begun training six of the pilots on his own dime, helping them fill gaps in their training logs so they can receive their FAA ratings and begin working in the industry. Join us Jan. 22 at 2 pm eastern (UTC-5) for a 60-minute VAI Webinar to learn about our allies from Afghanistan. Rowles will share the pilots’ stories and tell how our industry can help give back to these heroes who risked it all to support the United States. Our confirmed presenters: • Randy Rowles, President, Helicopter Institute, and 2021–22 VAI (then HAI) chair. In this webinar you’ll learn: • How these pilots supported the United States at war • What they risked to stand with the USA • How they’re working toward their FAA ratings • Ways the helicopter industry can help • And more. Register today for this free, one-hour webinar, to take place Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 2 pm eastern (UTC-5), to learn about these extraordinary pilots, how they helped America, and what our industry can do to support them. Jen Boyer is a journalist and marketing communicator specializing in aviation. She holds commercial, instrument, flight instructor, and instrument instructor ratings in helicopters and a private rating in airplanes.
