How dad Powes pushed Omar to become a pilot

People

By CLARISSA MOI
HAVING dad to be on the flight he was a pilot on was an honour for First Officer Omar Parkop.
For Omar, 27, a father to twin boys, it was a dream come true when his dad, National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop, was a passenger on one of his flights recently from Port Moresby to Goroka.
“That flight was 20 years in the making, a way of honoring, thanking and appreciating him for all his efforts, hard work and sacrifice as a father.”
He has two brothers and six sisters (three are cousins) whop he calls his “rock”.
“They picked me up when I was at the lowest point in my life, and helped raised my two boys.”
Omar remembers how he used to accompany dad Powes and mum Jean as a little boy on their trips around the country conducting awareness and advocacy work on land laws and people’s rights to the land.
“On the plane, I would cry from take-off to landing. Yes, I love flying now because I grew up fearing it. My folks would try their best to comfort me the whole flight. I remember dad always telling me not to worry nor fear anything, that one day I would grow up and conquer my fear and fly a plane.”
Omar did not forget those words of encouragement.
“I did vanquish that fear. Today I am addicted to flying.”
After completing high school at the De La Salle in Port Moresby, Omar studied Forestry at the University of Technology in Lae. While there, he met wife Henao, the mother of their twin boys.
Omar withdrew from studies in 2012 to spend more time with his sons and to support his wife who was then pursuing a degree in civil engineering.
He meanwhile managed to graduate with a Diploma in Information Technology and started a small entertainment company. But he never lost sight of his dream to become a pilot, even when his applications to Air Niugini’s pilot cadet programme were rejected.
In 2017, Omar and Henao got married after her graduation. He then left for Christchurch in New Zealand to pursue a pilot training course which took him 20 months to complete.

“ On the plane (when I was four), I would cry from take-off to landing. Yes, I love flying now because I grew up fearing it. My folks would try their best to comfort me the whole flight.”

“It was a grueling, demanding and often impossible training programme.”
He also started emailing potential employers including PNG Air but there was no response.
He returned home in 2018. Last year, he was called for an interview by PNG Air. He faced two managers who had known him from “all my annoying unanswered emails”.
He thanks his parents for being the greatest role models and sources of inspiration.
“They lived a selfless life, dedicated to serving their people. Through their lives, I learned the importance of putting others before self, having respect and to always be humble but confident in myself. I am where I am today because of my mother’s prayers and words of comfort and my father’s strong will, strength and hard work.”
The birth of his sons forced Omar to re-evaluate his life, focus on his priorities and sacrifice things he had planned.
“At a time when I was losing my way a bit, my sons gave me a new perspective in life, forced me to mature beyond my years and work harder to realise my dreams.”
Wife Henao is his closest friend and partner.
“We stuck by each other through the toughest times – after becoming young parents, struggling to balance education, parenthood and maintaining our relationship. We both challenged and supported each other to reach our goals.
“Today we are only just starting to see the fruits of our sacrifices. She is now working with one of biggest energy companies in the world. I cannot be more proud of her.”
He is now eight months into his career as an airline pilot. His next goals are to be a captain with PNG Air and someday train cadet pilots.
As for now, he is happy to fly people safely to their destinations.
“The greatest pleasure I get from flying is seeing the smiles on the faces of passengers as they wave us goodbye (at their destination).”

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