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Air traffic management and navigation
Air traffic controllers (ATCs)
provide pilots with information to
ensure that they are safely
separated from other aircraft in the
same airspace, as well as during
ground movements. Their job is
complex, and they must control
ground movements, take-offs and
landings, communications and
monitor radar and other systems.
Air traffic management (ATM) is
supported by many people and
systems. Aeronautical information
systems, communications and
navigation systems, and the ATM
system itself require people to
plan, design and maintain them.
Electrical engineering
technologists may enter a career
working on such technical
systems. Operations specific and
ATC training is provided through
Air Traffic and Navigation Services
(ATNS), who are responsible for
ATC in SA. They offer a range of
bursaries, learnerships and
internship programmes.
Visit: Air Traffic and Navigation Services (see
Careers section)
Aviation safety
Safety is paramount in the aviation
industry. Flight safety officers play
an important role in preventing
incidents, as do those involved in
air safety certification and incident
investigation. A career as an
investigator will require technical
knowledge about aircraft as well
as investigation processes. The
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
oversees accidents and incident
investigation in SA, and provides
guidelines for a career in this field.
The CAA is also responsible for
the certification and monitoring of
aircraft, pilots, and certified
personnel.
Visit: South African Civil Aviation Authority
Aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul
Maintenance, repair and overhaul
(MRO) encompasses the
inspection, scheduled and
unscheduled maintenance,
repairs, modification and overhaul
of aircraft. MRO requires skilled
individuals to diagnose problems
and comply with stringent quality
and regulatory requirements. In
this industry, one might specialise
in mechanical systems, electrical
systems, aircraft structures,
instrumentation or radio
equipment.
Major employers in this industry
include SAA Technical, who
maintains aircraft for SAA,
SAFAIR Technical/Aeronexus,
who does commercial aviation
MRO work and Denel Aviation,
who maintains aircraft for the Air
Force. Qualifications which may
gain entry into this field include
engineering technology degrees
(BTech) or specialist courses from
ATASA.
Visit:
SAA Technical and Denel Aviation
Pilot
Becoming a professional pilot
requires extensive training and
certification, including written
examinations, practical flight tests,
flying experience, a medical
examination and certification in
radiotelephony. Pilots typically
progress from junior to more
senior flying appointments until
he/she is appointed as a Captain
of a specific aircraft type.
Organisations offering careers as
pilots include the airlines, and air
charter services, as well as the
South African Air Force (SAAF).
Airports
All aeroplanes need airports to
take off from, to land at and to
upload and offload passengers
and cargo. Airport services include
a very diverse number of services
and therefore careers. Examples
of these are front desk check-in
staff, baggage handling, safety
and security, ground handling
equipment such as fuelling, power
supplies, fire fighting, lighting,
runway maintenance and
environmental management.
Weather and other services
Weather services are an important
part of aviation since they allow
flights to be safely planned and
executed. It allows planners to
plan best routes, advise on areas
to avoid and for alternative routes
in case it is needed. Aviation law
and legislation are specialised
areas dealing with, amongst
others, aircraft registration,
liabilities, matters pertaining
overflights of other countries, etc.
Visit: SA Weather Service
Aerospace manufacturers
South Africa manufactures aircraft,
as well as systems and
components. There are firms
building light sports planes,
communication systems, structural
components for jetliners and many
other things. These firms need
skilled technical personnel, and
skills in operations, sales, and
administration.
Visit: SA Defense Industry Directory (see Aerospace
section)
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