The Dundee Air Show and Career Exhibition, held last weekend, presented the opportunity for local learners to enjoy a colourful display of aerobatic flying and to explore the possibility of taking up a career in aviation.

The event, a joint initiative between the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and the Endumeni Municipality, was held to celebrate the end of Transport Month.

More than 1 000 learners from the Umzinyathi District were invited to attend the event, which also featured an address by the Deputy Minister of Transport,  Sindisiwe Chikunga.

Ms Chikunga encouraged interested learners to set their sights on taking up a career in aviation; a challenging path requiring excellent skills in Maths and Science, and where the sky is not the limit but rather an office for those who make the grade.

Awareness of career opportunities in aviation amongst historically disadvantaged individuals remains low, and career exhibitions like these are intended to change that. At present, this group remains under-represented in the industry, with black pilots accounting for only 8% of licensed personnel.

“While we recognise the shortage of pilots, we encourage learners to consider the full range of careers available in aviation,” says Ms Poppy Khoza, the Director of Civil Aviation. “There is a vast array of opportunities out there, just waiting for the right candidates who are passionate about aviation.”

Co-sponsors of the event, South African Airways (SAA) and the South African Air Force, were on hand to give the youngsters a feel for flying in state-of-the-art flight simulators and to answer their questions about the many careers on offer in aviation.

“I’ve wanted to be a pilot ever since I can remember,” said one of the learners attending the event, “but I just didn’t know how to go about it. Now I know what is needed and what to aim for. I want to prepare myself to take my place in the cockpit.”