Selecting the correct career path is a crucial decision with far-reaching implications. It is a choice that will shape your future, underscoring the importance of making an informed decision.
Over the next few weeks, the African Reporter will engage with business people, professionals, and other role players, focusing on a specific career field every week.
Through this, we aim to provide valuable guidance to our younger readers navigating their career choices.
This week we give a platform to the aviation career field. Tsakani resident Faith Mhlambi (32) is a commercial pilot licence holder, flight instructor and a testing standards officer (pilots).
She obtained her commercial pilot licence in 2015, and has nine years in the aviation industry (excluding the training phase).
What is a pilot?
A pilot is a person who is responsible for controlling the flight direction of an aircraft (airplanes/helicopters) from the flight deck (cockpit), through the air. From the point of take-off on the runway up until landing at the destination.
What is a pilot’s job?
Pilots not only fly people from one place to the other, but also cargo and animals. A pilot works together with a co-pilot and shares the responsibilities of steering the plane, navigating, communicating with air traffic control and monitoring instruments.
Pilots are also responsible for the preparation before the flight – the route from point A to B, taking into account the weather conditions, the conditions for take-off and landing, how much fuel will be needed for that flight, weight of the aeroplane with everyone on, and many other elements relating to that flight.
Which high school subject do I need to become a pilot?
• Mathematics (compulsory) – Level 5 – 60%
• Physical science (compulsory) – Level 5- 60%
• English -Level 5- 60%
If the high school results are not at the required level you can still pursue piloting training, with the consideration that the training might take longer, since the flight instructor will need to first address the academic deficiencies/shortcomings.
How many years does it take to become a pilot?
Because of the nature of the work and financial demand during the training, you have an option to either do it full-time or part-time at your convenience. If you are a full-time student, the training is quicker and more proficient, therefore it varies between 18 to 24 months.
Unlike tertiary institutions, pilots do not have specific years for obtaining a pilot licence, but it is entirely based on the student’s progress from the practical flight training aspect, and exams related to each pilot licence.
Where do I study to become a pilot?
If there is an airport around you there is probably a flight school/ flight training centre that conducts piloting training. That is what pilots consider as a tertiary institution of pilots.
There is no university that does this training besides flight schools, which are aviation training organisations certified by the SA Civil Aviation Authority.
What are the entry requirements?
Besides the academic requirements from high school, other pre-requirements to take into consideration include doing a medical test as it is a requirement to always be medically fit, and the finances differ from one flight school to another.
What skills should I have to become a pilot?
Being a pilot needs a character that is brave, communicates clearly, loves travelling (even if it means missing special days, being away from loved ones, and important events like birthdays, public holidays, among others), works well with other individuals and alone, works well in a stressful environment/situations, and most importantly passionate about flying.
What other careers are associated with being a pilot?
Once you qualify as a commercial pilot licence holder there are various careers you can look at, including:
• Medivac pilot (ambulance pilot),
• SAPS air wing (working with the police),
• Commercial pilot (transporting passengers in passenger aeroplanes),
• Charter pilot (flying private elite clients),
• Emergency services pilot,
• Flight instructor (teaching people how to fly through a flight school).
• Agricultural pilot
If I don’t become a pilot, what other careers can I consider within the aviation field?
Aviation is a world of its own and besides piloting there are many other fascinating careers within aviation you can consider, like drone pilots; flight attendants (cabin crew); air traffic controllers; aeronautical engineer in avionics, structural, or aircraft mechanic; aviation security (AVSEC); accidents and incidents, aviation infrastructure, aviation law, aviation medical examiner, just to mention a few
On YouTube there is a channel called “SACAA CAREER TV” profiling all careers available in aviation industry.
Bursaries and useful social media platforms:
There are social media platforms that do outreach and educate more about careers in aviation, like Joint Aviation Awareness Programme (JAAP), SACAA CAREER TV on YouTube, and OfficialSACAA. These groups also provide information when there are bursaries for pilots or any careers in aviation that are open.
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