Biography of James Berisha:
Born in Brestovc, Kosovo in 1972 to a farmer father and mother. His childhood was not so different than childhoods usually are, his primary education took place in Kosovo where he studied until he reached age 16. At a very young age, while working in the fields with his grandfather, James would look up at the passing planes curiously and see the contrails they would leave on their way to Asia and the far East and ask his grandfather about them. Knowing that in communist Yugoslavia with his racial background it would have been impossible for him to pursue a career in the aviation industry, James moved to Switzerland at the age of 16 and his education accelerated immediately.
While in Switzerland James was working two jobs, one in construction and one at one of the most prestigious and gastronomic hotels in Gruyère, a big contrast. In the meantime he was attending college full time to pursue a degree in hotel managment, and studying to receive his Swiss Private Pilot Certification. One night after working for fourteen hours and trying to travel fifteen miles on bicycle to his construction job, James fell asleep on his bike and crashed, waking up in the hospital the next day.
At the age of 20, James attended an intensive English college in Sydney, Australia, in order to acquire fluency in English, a skill which is vital for anyone wanting to become a pilot.
Finally, at the age of 23, at Flight Safety Academy in Vero Beach, Florida, he accomplished his childhood dream of becoming a pilot and flight instructor. Since then he has been flying for several years in the arctic weathers of Alaska, as well as the blazing hot weather of Texas. Working for Sierra West Airlines flying a Learjet, James has seen some of the most fascinating places on Earth. He has flown throughout the US, Canada, Central America, and the rest of the world. A fond memory James has is when he experienced three seasons in one day: the autumn leaves falling in El Paso, Texas, a vicious blizzard in Vancouver, Canada, and the relentless summer heat of Guadelajara, Mexico.
Accomplishments:
- Trip from Alaska, USA, eastward to Skopje, Macedonia (Read about the trip [HERE])
- Hotel Management Degree
- Switzerland Private Pilot Certification
- Airline Pilot, USA (Current)
- USA Pilot Instructor Certification
- Author: “Escape from Kosovo”
- Coming Soon: Worldwide flight for the recognition of Kosovo’s Independence!
