Civil Aviation Authority

Aviation, in general terms, is always related to flying. The moment you think about career in aviation, all that comes in you mind is a well dressed pilot seated in a cockpit. For most of us, it's a fascination that never wears off. But aviation isn't just flying and piloting. Its an entire world above and beyond the cockpit. Aviation is aircraft design, systems engineering, test piloting, search and rescue, human factors, air traffic control, jet mechanics, electrical engineering, computer systems, airport management, space exploration, customer service, and much more!!!!

Aviation is a global organization that requires disciplined, professional managers to design, manage, and operate the national and international aviation systems of the future. Aviation is a high-tech, swiftly evolving, competitive business operating in a global arena. As a result, educated and sufficiently trained managers are needed in dozens of different careers within the arena of the aviation management industry. Transportation, marketing and logistics, flight operations, and air traffic control are just a few.

The three primary areas of focus in aviation management are Fixed Based Operation Management, General Airport Management and Financial Management. Fixed Base Operation Management (FBO) centers on the business practices involved in operating a maintenance facility at a commercial airport. General Airport Management revolves around the practices and policies of planning and management within the wide-ranging areas of a commercial airport. Corporate Financial Management focuses on the principles and techniques of financial analysis and long-term financing, capital management and budgeting within the aviation industry.

PGDM in Aviation Management is designed to fulfill the needs of today's rapidly changing global aviation industry. Its course curriculum is drawn in direct response to fulfill the specific skill gaps and meet the rising need for developing core managerial skills required in the aviation sector today, both in domestic as well as at the international/global level Employments

The aviation industry offers career opportunities to suit many interests and backgrounds. As aviation remains an integral part of our society, there is still a growing need for qualified personnel. Wages vary from company to company, region to region, and even state to state. Alternatively, the amount earned after five (5) years or more is often much different that what you earn in the first year.

Careers in aviation management are as diverse as they are complex. The aviation industry requires effective management in the areas of public relations, finance, business operations, civil engineering, personnel and labor relations. The aviation manager is often asked to wear a variety of different "hats" and is also likely to become directly involved in executive business decisions. Managers in the aviation industry may also at times be responsible for making and enforcing airport rules and regulations, planning and supervising maintenance and safety programs, negotiating leases, determining the airport budget and promoting increased use of the airport. Thus a career in aviation management offers a plethora of unique management opportunities that offer variety, advancement potential and job security.

(a) Africa Aviation Exhibition.

These exhibitions was organized by Lynne Browne and Peter Moyanga of Duma Exhibition, managed to pull off their crucial first event with an ultimately small and seemingly quite inaugural African Aviation Exhibition (AAE) which was held at Halfway Houses Gallagher Estate exhibition complex and occupying a single hall, some 45 exhibitors invested in the show.

Whilst the event was originally touted as being predominantly general aviation oriented, as deadline approached the Duma team must have leveraged its long list of industry contacts to get stands signed up. Consequently, the event represented a wide mix of exhibitors ranging from used aircraft sales, companies to a mechanical cherry-picker supplier and everything in between. For exhibitors, these events represent a sizeable marketing budget commitment, not just in square meterage costs but staff and logistics. Its testament to Dumas long experience that a sprinkling of big names and aerospace suppliers supported the event.

Whilst none of the bigger general aviation companies were present, including Comair, Execujet, NAC, and PLACO, used aircraft sales were represented by energetic Nico van staden of Aerostratus. Businessure aviation insurance brokers were in attendance along with Comet Aviation Supplies and aircraft sales and security specialists Professional Group. Steven Wrights International Flight Clearances shared a stand with colleagues, Elite Jet and Sennheiser headsets were represented. It was good to see Wonder booms Global Composite Solutions and its CEO, Errol Van Rensburg, who have been making a name for themselves with their STC'd external cargo panniers and integrated reconnaissance belly pods.

A number of planned ‘dialogue' sessions covering safety and security included talks given by Lt General (ret) Des Barker, Professional Aviations Bob Garbett, CAAs Rennie Van Zyl and ACSAs Bongani Maseko, amongst others, appeared poorly subscribed –probably because of limited pre-event publicity. The two largest exhibitors were South African Airways Technical and Netherlands-based Fokker Services. Other overseas companies were Romanian-based aircraft management specialists Jetran Air and Amman-based Jordan Airmotive.Kenyan Airways Cargo were marketing their Nairobi freight hub and RUAG Aerospace both the Donnier 228NG and twin engined Seastar amphibian. The attendance was approximately 500 attendees daily for 3 days.

However ,the first AAE was tremendous networking opportunity for both exhibitors and visitors and as always, first events, which are invariably slow, allow exhibitor staff more time with potential clients to get to know each other and build long lasting relationship.

(b) Alenia Aermacchi at Singapore Air Show 2010

A prototype of Alenia Aermacchis new advanced trainer aircraft the M-346 ‘Master', in a mimetic livery, was on static display in addition to the daily flight displays at the Singapore Air Show held early February this year. The M-346 reached Singapore after a ferry flight of 6 803 nm from Venegono Superiore.

The M-346 Master –the newest generation Advanced /Lead-In fighter trainer specifically designed to bridge the technological gap with the new generation fighters –is in the short list of the Republic of Singapore Air Force in the Fighter Wings Course (FWC) .In this programme Alenia Aermacchi is teamed with ST Aerospace and Boeing.

The partnership is a combination of the major manufacturers in the industry: Aermacchi has a strong reputation of being a leading designer and builder of advanced jet trainers. Boeing is a world leader in the aviation industry, delivering world class ground based training systems while ST Aerospace is RAFis long term partner in its technological development and growth's Aerospace offers comprehensive maintenance and engineering a capabilities for RSAFs needs.

The integrated training solution that the companies are offering the RSAF takes into account RSAFs 3G needs, in particular as it is it is based on years of first-hand knowledge from ST Aerospace's support of RSAF.The M-346 is a technologically advanced jet trainer and is a newly developed aircraft that not only meets RSAFs requirements , but will provide sustained quality training for RSAF into the future as it fully meets the Advanced European Joint Pilot Training (AEJPT-EURO-Training) Preliminary requirements, countries involved in the ARJPT program include Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Finland,Sweden,and Austria.

In November 2009 the Italian Air Force signed a contract for the supply of the first batch of six M-346, including also simulators and integrated logistic supports, to fulfill the advanced/lead-in fighter training requirements for pilots that will fly its future generation combat aircraft. This contract forms part of a broader agreement to supply a total of 15 M-136 and related support.

In February 2009, the M-346 was selected by the United Arab Emirates for their new training air fleet and negotiations are at last stage for the acquisition of a complete Integrated Training Solution Comprehensive of 48 M-346.

The world of aviation is developing very fast considering the new technological advancement, and new aircrafts are being introduced in the market which are low consumption, long range and with extra capacity which will make it cheaper for cost par person or per kilo for cargo.