Let me introduce myself, my name is Andrea Arena, born in 1971; I grew up in Catania (Sicily, Italy) until the completion of high school. In 1989 I joined the Air Force Academy, earning my "wings" in the United States and achieving a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Science in Italy. Among several assignments as an officer throughout my military career, I have mainly flown the F-104 Starfighter and the F-16 Fighting Falcon as an Air Defense pilot and instructor pilot at the 37th Wing, based in Trapani AFB, Italy.
In 2006, ready for a change in my life, I resigned from the Air Force to become an airline pilot on the Boeing 737 in a minor Italian company, which was later merged with Alitalia, the Italian flagship carrier, where I've flown the Airbus A319-320-321.
In 2014, ready to "spin the wheel" again, I moved to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to fly as a First Officer for Etihad Airways, on the Boeing 777-300.
In 2018, here I am again, back to Italy, saying goodbye to commercial aviation to become a simulator instructor for a very advanced international training program for military pilots.
And I bet this is not the end of the story!
In 2018, here I am again, back to Italy, saying goodbye to commercial aviation to become a simulator instructor for a very advanced international training program for military pilots.
And I bet this is not the end of the story!
Through the years I've had a chance to travel the world a lot, and to experience flight in several different forms, from paragliding to supersonic jets, from hot air balloons to commercial airliners, gathering more than 9000 flight hours.
I have got lots of hobbies, interests and things I'm passionate about, either up in the air, on and into the water, and even sitting behind a desk: sailing, scuba diving, electronics, computers, diy in general, all the open-air sports that allow me to challenge myself, travels, music, good readings, just to name a few.
Lots of ideas and projects in my mind, and not enough space-time to accomplish them!
I always say about myself that I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up...
I write on this blog in my spare time, hoping to please whoever reads through its posts, trying to overcome his/her fears for flight, or just for simple curiosity.
Enjoy!
I have got lots of hobbies, interests and things I'm passionate about, either up in the air, on and into the water, and even sitting behind a desk: sailing, scuba diving, electronics, computers, diy in general, all the open-air sports that allow me to challenge myself, travels, music, good readings, just to name a few.
Lots of ideas and projects in my mind, and not enough space-time to accomplish them!
I always say about myself that I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up...
I write on this blog in my spare time, hoping to please whoever reads through its posts, trying to overcome his/her fears for flight, or just for simple curiosity.
Enjoy!
