What drew you to work in aviation?
I have always loved travelling and visiting the sights I studied about in history at high school.
Tell me about your work as a member of the cabin crew.
To be a cabin crew member you need to have a South African Civil Aviation Authority licence to work on commercial flights. You also need to speak, read and write English, have good customer-service skills, be medically fit (you need to be assessed by an aviation doctor), be able to swim and be tall enough to reach medical and safety equipment.
My primary duty onboard is as a safety officer. We are trained to handle emergencies such as having to evacuate all the passengers in 90 seconds, extinguish fires and restrain someone should the need arise. We are also trained in first aid to deal with medical emergencies. Our other duties include serving drinks and snacks and making sure our passengers are comfortable.
What do you love about flying?
I find flying therapeutic. I also love being a member of the cabin crew because I get to interact with people from all walks of life and enjoy listening to their stories.
I believe you are training to become a pilot?
I fell in love with aviation and wanted to go further, which is why I completed my private pilot's licence (PPL) and then my drone pilot's licence. I'm currently busy with my commercial pilot's licence (CPL).
The PPL is the first step to achieving your CPL. You can choose to stop studying after a PPL, which will allow you to fly for personal needs or pleasure. A pilot at PPL level may not be remunerated for flying.
A CPL is more advanced and requires greater accuracy in flying and a higher standard of airmanship. You can get paid for flying if you have a CPL.
My goal is to achieve an airline transport pilot's licence, which is the highest level you can achieve as a civil airline pilot. This will allow me to fly for an airline one day.
As a pilot, I enjoy the scenic views from up there and I really enjoy taking off knowing I am behind the controls. It gives me a rush.
You are studying towards becoming a pilot while working as a cabin crew member. How are you balancing these two roles?
It can be challenging at times, but knowing what you want makes it easier because you prioritise accordingly. I am grateful that I work shifts, which allows me to do both.
On days that I start in the afternoon I wake up early, go for a jog, come back to eat breakfast, shower, then start studying before I go to work. When I start in the morning — like at 5.35am — I come back from work, take a nap, go for a walk, shower, have dinner, then study.
On my days I'm off I go flying or study, depending on whether I've got an exam coming up.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
Always aviation. I wanted to be an air hostess. My dad used to take me and my sister to Jan Smuts airport and I guess that's where the seed of flying was planted.
What do you think will make you a good pilot?
I am disciplined, self-motivated and always willing to learn.
What is your go-to career advice?
In terms of pursuing a career in aviation, my advice would be to visit different flight schools, attend air shows and explore aviation websites to find which field of aviation you want to go into or what type of pilot you would like to be.
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