Portrait of a Nation: from air force pilot to camel breeder

Salem Al Afari, a former UAE Air Force pilot, runs a camel farm in Al Ain.

Salem Al Afari went from Air Force pilot to breeder of racing camels, first travelling the world then tapping into his Bedouin roots as a successful sportsman and livestock businessman. Mona Al MarzooShow more

Salem Al Afari recounts his time serving in the Air Force, his passion for flight and his path into life after the services where the thrill of the Arab world's big race made him famous.

AL AIN // After spending 20 years flying planes around the world for the Air Force, Salem Al Afari decided to settle with 120 camels on a farm at the southern end of Al Ain.

At age 19 Mr Al Afari, who is from a Bedouin family, had never been off the ground or even outside the UAE when he went on his first pilot training flight.

“I was not paying any attention to the instructor, I was bedazzled by the view,” he said. “I saw the streets, the buildings and the people all like ants.”

After the 90-minute trip Mr Al Afari was certain he would become a pilot.

“The life of a pilot is beautiful. My life was very enjoyable. But not everyone gets to be a pilot.”

He explained that applicants undertake comprehensive and rigorous health examinations before being accepted.

“The sight has to be perfect and there is a heart test, and a motion test.”

He recalled how they placed him in a centrifuge that rotates for minutes at a time.

“They then asked questions. They test the balance. Some people lose focus.”

During his career he flew across the Arab world, the Far East and Spain.

“We were once flying from Indonesia to deliver a new fleet of aircraft. Every three hours we landed in a different place or country,” he said of one of his most enjoyable experiences.

“For four days, every once in a while we landed somewhere, like Phuket, and India.”

However, a passion for flying and good health are not all it takes to become a pilot. “You have to be a leader and a decision maker, that is the most important thing.

“When you are the captain of the plane, you are the leader of this entire group. Not everyone will succeed as a pilot even if he was perfectly educated for it.

“If he does not know how to make an instant decision, he will remain a co-pilot for ever.”

Later, Mr Al Afari took the leadership skills he learnt in the air and transferred them to the camels he raises, breeds and coaches for racing.

Upon his retirement from the Air Force five years ago, he bought his first racing camel – a four-month-old female that was still feeding off its mother’s milk. It was worth Dh150,000.

“This was the beginning, then I started a big farm and bought many camels for racing, and I took them to male camels for breeding.

“I made it in the field and succeeded. The guys started calling me ‘tayyar al mudhamereen’ [the pilot of camel coaches].”

He travelled around the Arabian Gulf with his camels and won many races.

“The camels have taught me patience, endurance and tender treatment,” he said.

“You have to be patient. For example, when you take the camel to the Sheikhs’ [stock] for breeding, their power is incredible.”

Camels are also very sensitive and require the gentlest treatment, he said. “The camel adores its owner and is sensitive to his treatment. If you treat it well, it falls in love with you and if you hit it once, the minute it sees you it walks in the opposite direction and refuses to look at you.”

Two years ago, Mr Al Afari became an analyst for camel races on regional television channels.

Sensing that he still has more to give to the country, he decided to nominate himself for the recent Federal National Council elections.

“Sheikh Zayed used to say, a national should work and double the work.

“So I worked for a while, and I wanted to double the work through the council.”

Despite not winning a seat on the FNC, Mr Al Afari is happy with the results.

“I congratulate all the brothers who won,” he said.