Page 48 - World Airnews Magazine November 2020

NEWS DIGITAL

PILOTS FROM PILOT TO PROFESSOR

IN CRISIS
He flew the A380 with one of the largest carriers – now he is
an assistant professor of aviation management at a well know
Middle East business school.
Here he lectures on-line courses in aviation strategy, human

factors, research methodology and airline quality and safety.
Aviation professor Preven Naidoo spoke to World Airnews
editor Heidi Gibson about his journey from sky to school room

WAN: CAN YOU BRIEFLY TELL Pretoria. remain in contact with. These academic
US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND I was employed at South African Airways qualifications have assisted in me being
appointed as the head of Crew Resource
THE CURRENT POSITION YOU in March 2003 and began my airline career Management (CRM), as well as a pilot
there as a second officer on the Boeing
OCCUPY? 747-400. It was an amazing experience Instructor on the A340.
flying around the world in the queen I spent five years in this pilot/managerial
PN: After matric, I studied a BSc in of the skies. After about two years on role until the opportunity to fly A380s
computer science at the University of this fleet I transitioned to the domestic with a large carrier based in the ME
the Witwatersrand. However, I put that operation, as a first officer on the Airbus presented itself. I joined as a senior
on hold in the second year to pursue my A319. This gave me a great introduction first officer in November 2018 and was
childhood dream of becoming a pilot. My to Airbus. I spent three years on this operating on international flights up until
flying career began in the South African domestic/regional fleet until moving on the Covid-19 crisis happened.
Air Force in January 1996. to the longest widebody in the world, the I was unfortunate to be made redundant
After five years in the military I began my A340. It was certainly a dream come true recently along with 1000s of other pilots
first civilian flying job at Swazi Express to fly this aircraft to amazing international across the world.
Airways, based in Matsapha on a Caravan destinations as a senior first officer with Fortuitously, I was offered a position at a
and Dornier 228. This move helped me South African Airways. I would go on to local university where I hold my current
gain sufficient experience to transition to spend another 12 years on the long-haul position. It is definitely a change of
South African Express Airways on to the fleet operating A340-600/300/200. environment from my regular life as pilot
Dash-8. I enjoyed a great two years there During this time, I was very fortunate to for the last 25 years. Nonetheless, it’s an
as a co-pilot on a wonderful machine. complete my Masters and PhD degrees extremely fulfilling career, as my other
In the meantime, I continued with my from the University of Pretoria. Here I passion in life has always been academia.
tertiary studies at the University of met brilliant minds and mentors who I As a bonus, this role still keeps me close to

World Airnews | November Extra 2020
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