Serves as a Boeing 747 captain for Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings with over 20 years of experience in the American aviation industry. Francisco Diaz takes the lead for crews in a global theater of operations, including both passenger and cargo operations. In his 10 years in Atlas, Francisco has flown Boeing 767 and 747 aircraft, both as first officer and captain.

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he studied law in the Pontificie Universidad Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), in Santo Domingo. After immigrating to the United States prior to finishing the degree, he pursued his dream of becoming an airline pilot. In the United States, he attended Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3), in Ithaca, NY, completing his associate degree in aviation and his private pilot certification. He was later accepted into the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), Daytona Beach campus, completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aeronautical science.

He began his professional career as an ERAU flight instructor, teaching all levels of flight training courses. From the academic world, he transitioned to the airline industry when he was hired by the Chilean carrier LATAM cargo airlines, where he served as a Boeing 767 first officer.

Francisco has volunteered his time for different organizations throughout his life, starting with the Dominican Red Cross, where he served for a period of 4 years as a volunteer paramedic. Today, he is the president and founder of the Asociacion Dominicana de Aviacion General (ADAG), and AOPA Dominican Republic, as well as president and founder of the Captains Council.