Careers in Aviation

Aeronautical Engineer: He or she develops, designs and tests aircraft, missiles, satellites and other systems.

Air Cargo Agent: It is this person’s job to supervise the cargo terminal, record air freight shipments and arrange for deliveries.

Air Cargo/Baggage Handler: He or she loads and unloads cargo and baggage, drives baggage tractors and operates conveyors, forklifts and other air freight handling equipment.

Aircraft assembler: He or she assembles, fits and installs pre-fabricated parts to manufacture fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft or aircraft sub-assemblies.

Aircraft Composite Structures Worker: The technician in this trade is responsible for the maintenance, repair and manufacture of plastic, fiberglass and honeycomb structure components.

Aircraft Electroplater: This trade entails the plating of a thin protective layer on aircraft parts by means of electrochemical processes.

Aircraft Instrument Mechanic: He or She is trained to repair, test and install navigational and flying instruments, such as the automatic pilot and electronic compasses.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs): He or she diagnoses, adjusts, repairs, replaces or overhauls aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems, wings and fuselage, and functional components including rigging, surface controls and plumbing to ensure airworthiness.

Aircraft Painter: Technicians in this trade are responsible for the protective and decorative finishing of the aircraft, its engines and components.

Aircraft Radiotrician: This person’s responsibility is to carry out maintenance of all communication equipment of the aircraft.

Aircraft Structures Worker: The Aircraft Structures Worker is mainly responsible for the maintenance, repair, overhaul, manufacturing and modification of the aircraft structure and its components.

Aircraft Trimmer: This trade is responsible for the manufacturing, maintenance and repair of interior components such as fabric-covered panels, carpets, curtains and seat covers.

Aircraft Welder: This Technician is responsible for the repairing of aircraft components by applying various welding processes and advanced technologies.

Airline Station Manager: The station manager is in charge of all ground and flight operations for his/her airline.

Airport Planner: It is this person’s job to plan and design airport facilities. It is also his or her role to create a master plan for the airport, noting the increasing demands of passengers and the airline services.

Airport Customer Relations Agent: This person is responsible for the management and resolution of customer queries. They also ensure availability and serviceability of Airport infrastructure.

Air Traffic Controller: An air traffic controller’s job includes tower control, which handles all aircraft movements, take-offs and landings, while approach control monitors approaching and departing traffic, en route control and information and advisory services.

Aviation Law: This is a highly specialised aspect of the law, and is very much internationally orientated. It is recommended that you contact universities for more information.

Aviation Medicine: General practitioners take the course, to be in a better position to deal with patients transported by air, or to carry out the required medical examinations for the issue and renewal of personnel licences.

Aviation Safety Specialist: Aviation safety specialists report incidents and accidents and ensure that their causes are made widely known to all that could benefit by the knowledge.

Aviation Turner and Machinist: The technician in this trade is responsible for the modifications, repair and manufacture of aircraft parts.

Cabin Crew / Flight Attendant: He or she checks passengers’ names and destinations, enforces safety rules, serves food, oversees passengers’ comfort, and directs evacuation procedures in the case of an emergency.

Co-pilot: The co-pilot assists the pilot in the operation of the flight controls, watches the instruments and weather, handles radio communications and keeps logs.

Electromechanic: The electromechanic maintains teletype equipment, landing lights, beacons, and stand-by generators.

Electronics Maintenance Technician: This person maintains navigational aids and communication equipment, such as radar and radio beacons.

Fitter and Turner: The fitter and turner is trained to manufacture parts and aircraft components.

Flight Dispatcher: The flight dispatcher works with the pilot planning flight requirements, authorizes take offs or cancels flights and advises pilots in the air on weather or route changes.

Flight Engineer: The flight engineer monitors the in-flight operation of the engines and aircraft’s mechanical and the electrical systems.

Flight Line Mechanic: The airplane is prepared for test flight after final assembly by the flight line mechanic.

Ground Handling and Emergency Services: When on the ground, aircraft need to be moved around, refuelled, cleaned and so on. Also, emergency services such as airport rescue and fire-fighting teams have to be available at all times to react to emergencies. Paramedics and fire-fighters are employed by these services.

Helicopter Pilot: These pilots can make flights to otherwise inaccessible areas.

Loadmaster: He or she supervises proper tie-down procedures of cargo and calculates weight distribution of the load.

Meteorologist: He or she analyzes weather data and makes weather reports to the pilot and dispatcher. He or she may also work with the flight dispatcher in preparing flight plans.

Navigator: The navigator plots the course, reports positions and estimates arrival time.

Operations Agent: The operations agent oversees the loading and unloading of the aircraft and checks the distribution of the aircraft load and fuel.

Pilot: He or she flies aircraft of all sizes, transporting passengers and cargo across the country and around the world. They are responsible for the safety of the airplane, its passengers, the crew and any cargo on board.

Radartrician: Radar systems are used in aircraft as well as on the ground. The radartrician is responsible for this equipment in the aircraft.

Reservations Clerk: This clerk handles telephone inquiries about flight schedules and fares and makes flight reservations for airline passengers.

Ticket Agent: The ticket agent sells tickets, weighs and tags baggage and answers questions on schedules and fares.