Open Skies: My Life as Afghanistan's First Female Pilot

by Niloofar Rahmani, Adam Sikes

Niloofar Rahmani was born in 1991 in Kabul, Afghanistan, just a few years after the Soviets left. During the rise of the Taliban, her father took his young family to Pakistan, where they lived for nine years as refugees. Then, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the international coalition’s invasion, the Rahmani family returned to their home in Kabul. In 2010, for the first time since the Soviets, Afghanistan allowed women to join the armed forces, and Niloofar entered Afghanistan's military academy. However, the professed openness of the new Afghan military could not surmount centuries of chauvinism. Niloofar had to break through social barriers to demonstrate confidence, leadership, and decisiveness—essential qualities for a pilot. Against the odds, Niloofar performed the first solo flight of her class—ahead of all her male classmates—and in 2013 became Afghanistan's first female fixed-wing air force pilot. Yet some Afghan soldiers refused to fly with her, while others disparaged and harassed her. In 2014 the Taliban threatened Niloofar, her father lost his job, and extended family members disavowed them. The US State Department honored Niloofar with the International Women of Courage Award and sent her to the United States to meet Michelle Obama and fly with the US Navy's Blue Angels. But when she returned to Kabul, the danger to her and her family had increased significantly, forcing them to move every few months. In 2015 the US military brought Niloofar back to the US to learn to fly C-130s, but before graduation she learned she couldn't go home, and requested political asylum. She was granted US asylum in 2018. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Aviation, Adult, History, Biography Memoir

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing memoir of a courageous female pilot in Afghanistan. I loved learning about her perseverance through adversity and about her incredible family.

[Clay Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned a lot about the country of Afghanistan and its people. Learned about the author seeing her on the Fox News Channel.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is inspiring to read. It is hard for me to imagine, culturally, all the obstacles Rahmani had to face. She and her family are very brave.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got a lot more out of this book than I thought. Teared up a time or two. The book is basically the story of Niloofar Rahmani and her experiences as the first female pilot in Afghanistan's air force. She talks about how even though she was politically allowed to fly, she was societally resisted at every turn by.... pretty much everyone. Her family got threatened, her brother had two assassination attempts, and they had to move more times than I counted.

She wrestled with the question of how worth it is a goal when the risk of success and failure impacts not just you, but your friends and family as well. It's so easy to assess the risk of a dream or goal when the risk impacts just you, but when it puts your family on the line, then it becomes an entirely different question. Won't spoil how she handled the question, but it plagued her tremendously as she advanced in her career.

Her story also gave me a renewed appreciation for the USA - many of the hurdles that Rahmani encountered in the Afghani air force were overcome by Americans recommending (read: declaring, to which the Afghanis had to accept) that she was fit to fly, able to fly certain missions, etc. It put faces to the political debates I've seen on the news for most of my life. We can all debate academically whether America should or should not be in country A-Z, but this is a woman whose life was objectively improved by the US presence, and much of her predictions of what would happen if the USA left Afghanistan have since come true.

[Macrae]

I am completely floored by Niloofar Rahmani’s story and am so grateful to have been able to learn about her. In “Open Skies” she shares a riveting account of her and her family’s lives in Afghanistan, beginning with her parents, her birth, their time in Pakistan, their return to Kabul, her journey to becoming Afghanistan’s first female fixed-wing air force pilot, and eventually seeking asylum in the US. She is an incredibly courageous, inspiring woman and it is a privilege to read her story.

[Rummanah (Books in the Spotlight) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only an inspiring story of bravery, resilience, and determination but an opening look at the trials Afghani women face in their own country. Review coming soon.

[Pam Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a young girl, Niloofar watched the American fighter planes flying over her hometown of Kabul in 2001. The sight led to her dream of becoming a pilot and also work for the rights of women. Her parents had already sacrificed much to keep the family safe from the Taliban but had moved back to Kabul after leaving Afghanistan for a few years. They never wavered in supporting her plans despite the personal cost to each of them after the secret of her training was accidentally revealed on social media. They were shunned by family and friends, accused of not being good Muslims, her father was fired from multiple jobs and threats were made on their lives. Niloofar persevered and eventually became a pilot for the Afghan Air Force. Today she is working toward American citizenship after her application for asylum was granted. She hopes to join the American Air Force and continue to speak about life under the Taliban. There is so much more to her story. Read it to understand just a bit of what is happening today in Afghanistan. Online interviews are also available. No wonder she was recognized with an International Women of Courage Award. If the award had a family category, it could certainly be given to hers.

[Danielle Kaitlin (daniallreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You want to become a pilot? How exactly, do you plan to do that? In Kabul, the only things that fly are pigeons and the Americans."

This was one of the most inspiring and powerful books I've ever read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Niloofars is Afghanistan's first female pilots. This memoir is a collection of the hardships, traumas and victories she encounted on her journey to achieve her dream of being able to pilot an aircraft but most importantly to change the way females are treated all over the world.

This woman is an absolute inspiration and her account for what she had to experience to achieve her dreams was immensely eye-opening for me.

Living in the United States it can be easy to overlook how progressive and forward it is for woman compared to many oppressive countries including Afghanistan. To give you an idea, Niloofars is only 29 and did her first solo flight until 2012. Women here have been flying since the early 1900's.

It will always baffle me reading about how oppressive other countries are towards women. The trauma and horror that Niloofars had to experience so that she could help fight for Afghanistans freedom in the military is shocking.

Niloofar is a huge inspiration for all of us women. In the afterword, she truly sums up with a powerful message for women everywhere: "Change will only come if you choose to bring it about. You need to follow your calling in life, so others around you and who come after you can follow theirs. We have so much to do- follow your dreams."

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the remarkable story of a remarkable woman, who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to become Afghanistan’s first female military pilot. In 2010 for the first time since the Soviet invasion, Afghanistan allowed women to join the armed forces. But to join and then follow her dream to be allowed to fly took extraordinary determination. Niloofar Rahmani faced adverse social attitudes, prejudice, outright hostility and threats to herself and her family to pursue her goal, and thanks to American support finally achieved it and in 2013 became the country’s first female air force pilot and flew numerous missions. Eventually, however, increasing hostility and threats forced her to flee to the US where she was granted asylum in 2018. And, of course, now in 2021 she would have been in even graver danger if she had stayed. Although the book is about one particular Afghan woman it also sheds a cold light on attitudes to women in that country and the rampant misogyny that still prevails, not least among the younger generations who grew up under Taliban rule, and who are, of course, under it once again. Surprisingly Rahmani’s own immediate family were supportive, especially her father, at the expense of their own safety. The book will surely be inspirational for many other women battling oppressive regimes, and I sincerely hope that Rahmani will manage eventually to join the US military as she hopes. A great read.

[LiteraryAviatrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niloofar Rahmani’s story is intense and compelling. Open Skies was the Aviatrix Book Club discussion book for October 2021. After almost a year of immersion in women’s aviation stories, common themes about the difficulties women have faced in the industry throughout the past century stand in relief—but Niloofar’s experience is on a whole different level. There were times I had to remind myself what century we were in. It felt anachronistic having a woman who just wanted to fly being treated by her own countrymen—those she served—as a pariah whose punishment should be death. And then the very real context was front-and-center for all of us to see with the events in Afghanistan. Niloofar’s story was complemented by co-author Adam Sikes’ contributions in terms of story structure and geopolitical context. I admire Niloofar for everything she stands for, for her courage in the face of incredible opposition, and I remain emotionally invested in her. I wish her, and her family (all of whom suffered) safety, happiness, and success. Interviews with both Niloofar and Adam can be found on the Aviatrix Book Review podcast. Niloofar Rahmani Open Skies
Adam Sikes Open Skies

[Robin Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big thank you to Chicago Review Press for the opportunity to read (and review) this book. From start to finish I was captured by the story of sacrifice, courage, endurance and strength. Although this book is about a young girl's journey into a place that she wasn't welcome but had certainly earned her position, this book is about a culture that demanded complete obedience from all its citizens. This read truly educates and explains just how dangerous it is to be someone (regardless of gender) to go outside of the rules; one woman's decision to become what she knew and dreamed and strived for, became the (public shame) of an entire family. If you truly want to understand courage and dedication, family support and love, then this book is a must. It didn't take long to read as it was quick-paced, informative, and very well written. 5 stars all the way!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As others have mentioned, the writing is basic, and did not live up to the strength of the story, which in contrast, is absolutely amazing. I have a deep respect for the author and her family, especially her parents, for their spirit and resolve. It’s just too bad the writing didn’t elevate this book even further.

[Pam Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her story involves her love for flying, but more importantly, the extreme challenges faced by herself and her family because of their determination that she follow that dream. The recent history of.Afghanistan, from a modern nation to Taliban rule.is heartbreaking.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The highly linear narrative, light insights and basic writing do not take away from the courage and accomplish,ents of Rahmani.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of women in Afghanistan is not a hopeful one, and even less now. Worth reading.

[Smitha Parameswaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niloofar Rahmani. The first female pilot of Afghanistan , a shining beacon that every woman there can look up to and get inspired by.

I was stunned with the life that she has had. Imagine going to sleep with bombs and air raid sirens and rubble all around. No one deserves that. For all the skirmishes that are going on between Afghans and the super powers of the world that are vying with each other for control, it is the poor civilians that pay the price. And if that torture wasnt enough, came the Talibans who took the matters to unimaginable extremes.

Niloofar has been extremely lucky to have born to a family where girls are valued and respected. Her dad and brother have been exemplary male figures who practised what they preached and were literally the wind beneath her wings. Never once was she ridiculed for the aspirations she had and was infact encouraged to fly higher. Her mother was school educated and made sure that all her kids be educated. They were unable to attend any schools until Niloofar was old enough to attend grade 6. Having lived to unimaginable horrors. I found myself thinking at all instances what was I doing at that point in my life.

Honestly it felt so unfair to me that I got to enjoy my life where as elsewhere in this same world, a little girl and many more like her were living through hell. At all stages of her life, she has been judged by her relatives and friends for the choices she made. Her whole family recevied death threats, her sister abandoned by her husband and their child forcefully taken away from her. But the most admirable thing in all this is that her family never once asked her to step back (even when she herself was plagued with self doubt). Few people do that and I hope and pray that all their effort pays off.

What is different here is Niloofar made sure that she rose from her situations in life and through determination and grit reached all that she aspired for and then some more. She should be someone that all the people in this world can look up to not just for the girls in Afghanistan.

[Kristen Claiborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been struggling with how to put to words how I felt about this book. I will disclose that I received a physical copy of this book through a GoodReads giveaway, otherwise I might never have run across this story. I have a tendency to just blindly enter giveaways for books, in the hopes that I run across great books like this one.
To be fair, it’s a great book because of the story, not because of exemplary writing. The writing is elementary, which is fine. There’s nothing spectacular about the way the story was written, but the story itself is amazing. For this woman to have the courage to stand up to centuries of oppression of women is mind-bending. She grew up in a society where women weren’t even supposed to be heard (hell, even seen), let alone become fighter pilots. Even going to school wasn’t allowed for much of this woman’s life. I can’t imagine what growing up in that type of society. This woman was also encouraged by her family to pursue the dream of flying for the military, putting themselves in grave danger. The steps that had to be taken, despite the horrific opposition, make this woman one of the bravest I’ve had the pleasure to read about.
In an effort to not divulge too much information (although, it’s a true story so the information is readily available), I’m going to stop here. This is an amazing story of perseverance, courage, determination, and family support that deserves being read.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first picked up this book, I didn’t think I would like it. But when reading it, I truly fell in love. This book follows a young Afghan Woman who dreamed of becoming an Airforce Pilot. However, as I read, I truly fell in love. This book follows a young Afghan woman who dreams of becoming an Air Force pilot, who wasn’t just confronted with technical challenges; But also opprobrium of an entire society. I honestly was hooked even before the book truly began, while reading the preface, her storytelling in that small part alone truly gave a glimpse into her life. She brings us through her career, training, flights, and becoming the first female pilot. She truly defied all odds and persevered to achieve her dreams. Normally I like to limit myself with my reading, making sure I don't spend too much time reading. But in this book I found myself pushing that limit to finish “one more section”. I feel like it could inspire many young teens to accomplish their dreams and defy all odds! From Heartbreaking and heartwarming, From Humor to dismay, from love to hatred and back again left me and awe and definitely confirmed this is a “must read”!


-I wrote this review for an AP project-

[Donna Quinlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing account of what it is really like to grow up as a female in Afghanistan under The Taliban. Reading it firsthand from someone that experienced it brings to light what women and girls must be experiencing now with the takeover of the Taliban there. It's such a cruel, sad and unfair way to live. My heart goes out to all the women and girls there. Nicoofar's persistence, determination and bravery are amazing. She is such a great role model for women in similar circumstances. . I wish her a happy life here in the US.

[Simone B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely inspiring! The author's sheer determination to keep on going even when in the most difficult situations is beyond admirable. I came away from this book in awe of what she achieved and impressed by her focus and discipline. This book is also a heart-breaking account of the challenges in Afghanistan today: It's not an easy read, I cried multiple times, but it was worth it to learn about a life and culture so different to my own. I hope in the future more Afghani women are able to fly free.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fast read, neither great nor horrible. Mostly just skims over the surface without giving any depth which is a shame since I think Rahmani was certainly courageous for striving to be Afghanistan's first female pilot & trying to show other women in her country that they too could chose a non-traditional path & in person she is probably an intelligent & interesting woman, but this book doesn't show it

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredible life story of the first Afghan female pilot. She and her family endured so much at the hands of the Taliban. The details of life in Afghanistan since the mid 1990’s was interesting but heartbreaking.

[Irene Gifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting read. I learned a lot about life in Afghanistan and the rule of the Taliban. You are draw in by her determination and sacrifice to fulfill her dream. The book also made me appreciate the freedoms we have in the US.

[Robyn]

Notable Books #55

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read!! I highly recommend this book!

[pianogal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one. Niloofar sounds like a very determined person. It is horrendous how her story played out. I keep hoping for a happy ending though...

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing Wonen and family. Other parts of the world are so backwards and their is not any equality for women.
A must read

[Ashley Kinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it, but there was a lot of repetition.

[Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very moving read. I'm glad Niloofar has such a wonderful, supportive family; I can only hope they're safe and happy and can be reunited with her soon. My heart goes out to the women of Afghanistan.

[lenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book follows Niloofar's and her family's story in Afghanistan, shaped and reshaped by political events and war. Niloofar's decision and quest to become a pilot is nothing short of extraordinary and inspiring, and the support of her family and those she befriends along the way is admirable and heart-warming. It is difficult to truly imagine how scary day-to-day life was in Kabul and in Afghanistan — for so many years and once again, now. It is sad to think that once, Kabul was the "Paris of Central Asia", as Niloofar describes, then became a dangerous place... then seemed to be getting better, but now, and just a month after the publication of this book, to have backslid again... even as I was finishing the book, I was reading news about the most recent decrees aimed at women. It always feels out of place as a foreigner to weigh in on long-standing conflicts or experiences which I feel lucky not to have had, but I want to say that I truly found the book inspiring and think that no matter what, this story cannot be untold and will continue to be there to hopefully provide some courage or hope for others.

[Afghanistan 🗺 📖 🇦🇫]