Tampa, Florida (January 31, 2017) – In the upcoming summer of 2017, Shaesta Waiz, founder of Dreams Soar, Inc., will be flying a Beechcraft Bonanza around the globe to inspire women to pursue careers in aviation. Utilizing the extensive reach of the Air Culinaire Worldwide Network and 22 owned-and-operated kitchens, Air Culinaire Worldwide will be sponsoring this historic flight by providing catering throughout the voyage at 30 destinations.
Waiz is the first certified civilian female pilot from Afghanistan. Her family took refuge in California following the Soviet-Afghan war, where they had previously lived a life of hardship. With a new world of opportunities, Shaesta went on to obtain her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Dreams Soar, Inc., a nonprofit organization, was founded in 2014 and incorporated in May 2016 by Waiz to encourage young women to engage in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and aviation education, especially in aerospace. Her 25,000-mile journey will take place over 90-days, where she and fellow female role models will promote STEM and aviation-related careers.
Air Culinaire Worldwide is proud to support Shaesta in her upcoming mission. Her journey will be followed through the Air Culinaire Worldwide social media networks, featuring her current destinations and cuisines reflecting each region.
John Detloff, Vice President of Flight Attendant Services, is personally designing a menu specifically for Waiz. “She could very well be the reason we have thousands of new female pilots in this industry,” said Detloff. “We are more than honored to help her on her historic flight and mission to impact the future of aviation.”
“Every time I open the door of an aircraft, I ask myself, ‘How did a girl with my background become so lucky? The truth is, anyone can be me,” remarks Waiz.
Waiz’s global solo flight for STEM will begin and end at Daytona Beach International Airport, and include stops in Canada, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Australia. U.S. stops will include Columbus, Ohio; Hilo, Hawaii; El Cajon, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Wichita, Kansas; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Cincinnati, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, Georgia and Mobile, Alabama.
The longest leg of the global flight is Hilo, Hawaii to El Cajon, California; which extends 2,184 nautical miles over the Pacific Ocean.
In the months following Shaesta’s trip, she will continue to empower women through Dreams Soar, Inc., continuing her advancements in flight training, outreach events with her Dream Team and as a motivational speaker. To become a partner, please visit www.dreamssoar.org.
For more information on Air Culinaire Worldwide and access to resources such as menus, articles with tips and suggestions to improve a total in-flight catering experience, visit www.airculinaireworldwide.com, or call +1 (813) 449-6000.
About Air Culinaire Worldwide
Air Culinaire Worldwide, a Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. company, serves in-flight catering to hundreds of airport locations across the globe. Since 2000, business and private aviation operators have relied upon the organization. With 22 owned-and-operated kitchens and hundreds of associate catering partners on six continents, business aviation organizations receive the total in-flight catering experience from one resource: Air Culinaire Worldwide.
About Dreams Soar, Inc.
Dreams Soar, Inc., is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization founded by Shaesta Waiz, a dual-graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, whose mission is to inspire the next generation of STEM and aviation professionals, globally. The global solo flight is the first phase of Dreams Soar’s worldwide effort to empower the next generation to pursue degrees and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and aviation, specifically for women and minorities. Supported by her Dream Team of collegiate students and young professionals, Waiz aims to be the youngest woman to circumnavigate the globe, as well as the first Afghan women to fly solo around the world. Departing from Daytona Beach International Airport (KDAB), the global flight intends to raise additional dollars to award scholarships for young women and men worldwide in pursuit of STEM and aviation education. For more information about Dreams Soar, visit dreamssoar.org.
Media Contact:
Stacey Farooqui
+1 (813) 449-6024
sfarooqui@airculinaire.com
