Years of Culture
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2025/11/09
We got to learn more about Francisco’s remarkable journey, and how a strong sense of curiosity, determination, and a love for taking on new challenges have shaped his journey so far.
“I grew up in Chile with two strong passions from a very young age: aviation and sports,” Francisco recalls. “At 17, moved by my passion for understanding how a piece of iron could stay suspended in the air, I joined the Chilean Air Force and began my career as a military pilot in 1989. Flying gave me a sense of freedom, discipline, and responsibility that shaped the rest of my life.”
After several years of military service, Francisco moved into commercial aviation. “I decided to transition into the commercial world, becoming a professional pilot in 1997,” he says. “The path was gradual, I first flew in forest fire combat operations, then worked in aeromedical evacuations, before finally joining LATAM Airlines as a copilot in Chile.”
That career path eventually led him and his family to Doha. “After nearly 20 years with LATAM, I felt ready for a new challenge and a more global stage,” he reflects. “In 2016, I applied to Qatar Airways, one of the leading airlines in the world. The move was a big step for my family, but Qatar quickly became a home for us. It’s a place that values family, aviation and sports, which are central parts of my life. Here, I’ve been able to grow in my career while also immersing myself in a thriving sports culture.”
Adjusting to a new professional environment was a big part of the move. “The biggest challenge was adapting to different flying environments and operational cultures,” he notes. Military flying in Chile taught me precision, resilience, and adaptability, but commercial aviation requires a different kind of teamwork and customer-focused mindset,” Francisco reflects. “Joining Qatar Airways meant flying across continents with diverse crews and passengers, which broadened my perspective not only as a pilot but as a person.”
For Francisco, who has built his day-to-day routine around sports, Qatar offers the perfect backdrop for training and competition. When asked about what it’s like to live and train in Doha, Francisco shares, “The infrastructure here is incredible, you have world-class facilities such as Aspire, Education City and Olympic Cycling Track, year-round competitions, and a strong sense of community around sports.” On the climate, he admits it can be demanding, “but that also makes training more challenging and rewarding. For someone who has always lived an athletic lifestyle, Qatar provides endless opportunities to stay active and push limits.”
Francisco’s training schedule reflects the discipline he learned in the cockpit. “My training usually combines swimming, cycling, running and weight training at the gyms depending on where I am in the season,” he explains. “Normally combining 2 sports daily for about 2 or 3 hours a day for a total of 12 to 16 hours a week. The heat is definitely a factor, so in the summer season it is easy to find me cycling at 2AM or running at 4AM to avoid the heat. Basically, early mornings and late evenings are key. The desert environment adds another layer of endurance—you learn to manage hydration, energy, humidity, the hot water and dusty environment totally differently than you would in Chile.”
That discipline, he says, is the thread that connects his military background, aviation career, and sporting life. “The structure I learned in the Air Force and later as a commercial pilot—planning, precision, decision-making under pressure—has been fundamental to my training as a triathlete. It taught me that consistency matters more than talent, and that resilience often decides who crosses the finish line.”
Comparing his experience of competing in triathlons in both Chile and Qatar, he explains, “In Chile, races are often tied to nature. The mountains, lakes, and coastlines create breathtaking courses. In Qatar, the races are equally challenging but shaped by the desert environment and modern infrastructure,” he notes. Both cultures celebrate endurance and community, but in different ways. Competing in both places reminds me of where I come from and how far I’ve travelled.”
Through sport, Francisco has found cultural bridges between his homeland and his adopted country. “Whether it’s sharing mate with fellow athletes after a race or explaining Chile’s sporting traditions to teammates, sport becomes a bridge. I’ve met athletes from every corner of the world here, and the conversations often start with training but quickly move into culture, family, and identity.”
“The endurance community here is very welcoming. Some of my closest friendships have been formed through long training sessions in the heat or celebrating after races. It’s a bond that goes beyond sport—we support each other in life, not just in competition.”
“I carry my Chilean roots with me every day. Whether it’s through food, language, or the discipline I developed back home, I never forget where I come from," he says. "Competing internationally as a Chilean triathlete also gives me pride. I represent not just myself, but my country and culture wherever I go.”
One of Francisco’s proudest sporting moments came in Doha, “Crossing the finish line of the first Katara Triathlon back in 2018 was unforgettable,” he recalls. “It wasn’t just about endurance; it was about years of dedication, the balance between my aviation career and my passion for sports, and the support of my family. That moment represented everything I’ve worked for.”
When he talks about the future, Francisco is thoughtful about the different areas of his life. “Professionally, I want to keep growing as a pilot and continue mentoring younger colleagues,” he contemplates. “Athletically, I’m preparing for more marathons, MTB all over the world and triathlon races and exploring opportunities to give back to the sporting community here in Qatar, perhaps by helping new athletes. Personally, I want to continue building bridges between Chile and Qatar through culture, aviation, and sport.”
And to other Chileans abroad, Francisco shares a message of encouragement, “Stay true to who you are, but also embrace what your new environment offers,” he encourages. “Sports are a universal language, they open doors, create friendships, and keep you grounded no matter where you are in the world. Use them to connect, to challenge yourself, and to carry a piece of Chile with you wherever you go.”
Explore more voices and journeys like Francisco’s in our Chilean and Argentinian Voices in Qatar series, or read about the 3-2-1 Olympic Museum in Doha, which showcases the history of Olympic sports through interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages.
Discover upcoming events and cultural exchanges as part of the Qatar, Argentina, and Chile 2025 Year of Culture.
