Khaled Chebli is one of the founding members of S.A.F.E, Student Aviator Flight Experience. Currently he is an Airline Captain based out of Newark Liberty International. Flying fascinated him from a young age, but the prospect of becoming a pilot seemed quite daunting. There are numerous barriers just to enter the aviation industry, not having a mentor prior to entry could leave most people uninformed and misinformed, Khaled was presented with these issues like many other aviation prospects. With a second interest in Information Technology and a plausible career path, Khaled decided to do what was safe and studied IT and network infrastructure in college. This led him to a position at a technology company that required frequent travel for work. It was at this same company where he took flight in a private plane as a passenger, and decided to begin flight training. With help from his superiors and guidance from the company pilot, he soon transitioned from IT into the aviation department full-time. While working full-time and flight training on weekends, he went back to school to pursue a Degree in Aviation Management. Upon completion of Flight Training for numerous licenses and ratings, he was able to seek out a flight instructor position where he could refine his skillset, and enhance his expertise. Soon after, Khaled began flying twin engine corporate aircraft as a charter pilot. With continuing to grow in the field, he transitioned to the airlines where he began as a first officer and later upgraded to captain. Along the way, he has always found it imperative to help others learn about the industry and mentor those who seek to follow in his steps. Contributing to the development of SAFE and the students involved in the training program has become an integral part of his mission, this is Khaled's way of showing gratitude for all the help and guidance he has received along the way.

I fell in love with aviation when a family friend took me on a Young Eagles flight, from then on I was only interested in airplanes. I got a job at the local airport to fund my private and instrument certificates while in high school. Then I went on to the commercial certificate and an associates degree in professional piloting at Lehigh Carbon Community college. I moved on to obtain my bachelors degree in business administration at Susquehanna University where I flew at Penn Valley airport as a flight instructor, while also having fun flying skydivers locally to build time. After college I was lucky enough to act as airport manager and GM of Heritage Aviation at the Penn Valley airport. After my time there I applied to Republic Airways and have since had the best experience flying the ERJ 170/175 as a captain based out of Newark. I am very excited to be a part of the SAFE team and give my knowledge and aviation background to this wonderful group of flight students and other pilots

When I was a young child, my grandparents would take me to the Franklin regional airport in northwestern Pennsylvania where I could watch the planes take off and land. As I got older, I knew I wanted to be a pilot and at 17 I began flight training while attending high school. After graduation I completed 1 year at Beaver County Community College before transferring to Middle Tennessee State University where I would complete my Bachelor of Sciences. In the spring of 2012, I began my professional flying career with my first job as a flight instructor back in Pittsburgh. I would move on to flying charter for a short period before landing at Republic Airlines where I have been for the last 7 years with the last 3 being a Captain based in Pittsburgh Pa. I look forward to being able to help others achieve the dream of flight through SAFE where I currently am the volunteer coordinator.

Hans first became involved with SAFE after hearing about the program in 2019. He has been flying since he was 15 years old, and has been involved in aviation for almost 10 years. He became interested in aviation through his trips flying back to China to visit family during the summers. At first it was the idea of going home that grasped his attention, but that fascination quickly encompassed the flying machines that made the trips possible. Their family's proximity and relation to NASA's Langley Research Center and Langley Air Force base would further develop the interest in aviation. Hans' grandparents also had careers as aerospace engineers in the US and in China. It was no surprise that this spawned a lifelong love for aviation, it was practically in his blood. Even though there was a proclivity for aviation, flying seemed like such a difficult task to achieve. Having no acquaintances in the flying community, Hans didn't think he could pursue a career as a pilot with glasses and asthma. As soon as he learned from the local flight school that it was possible to fly with glasses and well-controlled asthma he never looked back. He ended up graduating Magna Cum Laude from school in 2018 and got hired as a First Officer at Republic Airways in the same year, two amazing accomplishments in such a short time. Even as someone who is already established in aviation, Hans wishes to provide the knowledge, resources, and guidance that he once never had to inspire kids who are lacking information on our very detailed industry. That is why he joined S.A.F.E, with the intent of providing enthusiastic kids with the opportunities and resources to succeed in aviation.

Born and raised in Emmaus, PA, David first learned to fly and got his private pilot certificate while in high school. He then went on to graduate from Southern Illinois University (SIU) Aviation where he was a full-time flight instructor. January of 2019 David discontinued his job as a flight-instructor and joined Republic Airways as a First Officer, where he continues to work to this day.

Daren is currently a 3-year captain at Republic Airways. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Daren migrated to the United States to pursue his career in aviation. He obtained a Bachelors of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. Daren then obtained his pilots licenses at ATP Flight School in Trenton, NJ. His flight experience includes flight instructing and aerial surveillance prior to joining Republic Airways where he has been for the past 5 years. His goal is to continue being an inspiration for the next generation of pilots and encourage them to be part of such a unique career.

David believes that he got his love of everything aviation at birth. His grandmother once soloed in a Tiger Moth, his father was a United States Marine in the aviation division, and also had passion for helicopters, the writing was on the wall for David. During a year at university, David worked for British Airways at the London Heathrow airport; this provided him with a wonderful opportunity to fly in the flightdeck with already accomplished pilots. This experience watching the professionals at work sealed the deal for David; he had to fly! After graduating from University in the UK in 2001, David decided to move to the USA permanently to pursue recreational flying, with a long term goal to fly professionally. David was very interested in SAFE after finding out about it from a friend and former flight student, as David is currently a flight instructor, David is thrilled at the opportunity to contribute to SAFE and to share his passion for aviation with the next generation of young aviators!