THE HIGHEST FLYER

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Al Maktoum has risen to great heights in the aviation industry. We ask what it takes to lead and inspire the new generation of incredible women

- AMY SESSION

What do your first 30 mins of the day look like, your morning routine?

I am a very active person by nature and while I would not claim to be part of the 5am club, I do wake up early and I like to have time to gather my thoughts for the day ahead, as work can be very demanding. If I can, I try to spend some time with the horses, riding before work or doing a quick workout, all with a generous amount of coffee.

You have achieved so much – what are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of becoming the first Emirati woman to join Dubai Police as a helicopter pilot. Serving my country by doing what I love doing most is simply the best feeling, and I am deeply grateful for it.

Describe the feeling of piloting your own aircraft in 3 words?

Freedom, adrenaline and peace of mind.

What has been the biggest hurdle you have come up against and how do you approach overcoming such challenges?

The biggest hurdle for me has been starting to pursue my dream at such a young age. It meant being surrounded constantly by people with more experience and more confidence than me and always being under constant pressure to not only measure up to them but also exceed and be the best I could be, consistently. I tackled it then the way I approach everything: Head on and with full force. The only way out is through, and that’s how you build resilience.