ATNS E-mag June 2023

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IN THIS ISSUE Air Traffic and Navigations Services (ATNS) SOC A thousand or so other aviators in the continent have Limited was formed in the winter of 1993, on the 21st the privilege of calling themselves ATA Alumni, giving day of July. It is a state-owned entity and has the credence to the widely held view that the facility is National Department of Transport as its shareholder. a world-class aviation training institution. Over the Approximately nine-hundred employees call it their years, a number of impressionable awards have been second home because that is where they spend most bestowed on the academy. of their time. Challenges have been and will always be there. Just like the first flight that took off more than a Covid-19 taught us so many things. To be well- hundred years ago, and Air Traffic Control (ATC) prepared. To be resilient. To adapt. services were offered a few years later, so did ATNS begin their first steps in a journey of being a globally- We are on our way to recovery, albeit on a slow recognised Air Navigation Service Provider. but focused trajectory. The ever-present Artificial Intelligence phenomena have already taken shape and In July 2023, this company celebrates 30 years of are taking the world by storm, ushering in new ways of unbroken, safe, and efficient service provision to doing things. We are ready. all South African and international airspace users, which spans a little more than 6 percent of the global In this issue, among several issues that we are airspace. covering, is the Future Fit Workforce Programme (FFWP), an ambitious, well-grounded ATNS Along this long and winding journey, several ground- Organisation Design (OD) Project. According to breaking milestones have been achieved. And that Matita Tshabalala, ATNS Aviation Psychologist, this has been in all aspects of the company. One may add initiative serves as ATNS’s blueprint for ensuring technology to the list. Others may mention research that the company works in a way that is innovative, and development. In our view, our stakeholders, sustainable, and customer-focused. both external and internal - past and present, made who we are. They have been unwavering, eager, and Please be on the lookout for the special 30th-year willing to go the extra mile with us. We are proud to be Anniversary eMag publication. Next month’s edition associated with you. will be available on 21 July 2023. To ensure that all ATCs who take a position every To the future we want! Cheers! other shift are competent and ready for the task at hand, the ATNS Aviation Training Academy - an IATA-accredited training center, equips them with the necessary skills and knowledge. These driven, selfless individuals are found at every airport around the country at all material times. They manage our airspace 24/7, year in, year out. 2 ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. CEO’S Message p4 2. Managing Complexity: Thinking Differently during a Crisis in organisations p5 3. RAF Career Exhibition For Children With Disabilities p9 4. World Day Against Child Labour p10 5. World Environmental Day: Solutions to Plastic Pollution p11 6. Youth Day Career Exhibitions p12 7. Comrades Marathon 2023 p13 8. Avi Career Joint Neo Mokalanyane - FABL Air Traffic Services Officer p15 9. AERO South Africa p17 10. 13th IFATSEA Africa Regional Meeting – Livingstone, Zambia p18 12. Atns Is Celebrating 30 Years Of Keeping The African Skies Safe p20 13. Future Fit Workforce Programme (FFWP) – ATNS Organisation Design (OD) Project p22 14. Upcoming Events p24 15. News in Brief p25 16. Did you Know p26 17. Best Aviation Quote p27 ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23 3

CEO’s Message Youth Month – “Accelerating youth Some of our initiatives that are worthy of note are the economic emancipation for a ATC Bursar Programme. This programme provides sustainable future” each bursar with an opportunity to conduct their studies at the ATNS Aviation Training Academy (ATA). The commemoration of Youth Day in South Africa We also offer the Graduate Training Programme. It this year marks the 47th anniversary of the June 16 grants graduates the opportunity to make a successful Soweto uprising. This year’s Youth Month theme is transition from university to the world of work. “Accelerating youth economic emancipation for a Most importantly, it helps transform graduates into sustainable future”. As an active corporate citizen, high-performing professionals, equipping them to it is important for us as ATNS to reflect on our contribute to the economy of the country. contribution and the impact we have had thus far in the improvement of the lives of young people. In the ATNS, through its hugely successful Corporate 30 years of ATNS’ existence, there have been various Social Investment (CSI) Programme, supports initiatives aimed at benefitting and empowering the Primary and High Schools with learning equipment youth. and infrastructure. Other ATNS CSI focus areas are skills development and training, Environmental Management and staff initiative and support. Our CSI initiatives are a moral imperative rather than a compliance necessity. As such, in the 2022/23 FYE, we supported the National Development Plan’s (NDP) goal of investing in quality education, with the intention of reducing inequality, especially regarding careers in aviation. The aforementioned highlights some of the major ATNS initiatives which are geared toward supporting the youth, as they strife for a better life. It is therefore safe to say that as ATNS, we are committed to improving the lives of the communities we serve. Happy Youth Month! 4 ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23

Managing MATITA TSHABALALA Complexity: Thinking Differently during a Crisis in organisations Organisations are constantly confronted with better ways of behaving and reacting. We cannot be challenges and sometimes crises that require comfortable doing the same thing over and over and decisions to be made continuously to avert disaster. expecting different outcomes. Some organisations What works ordinarily will almost always fail in a have learned to prepare for unforeseen dangers and crisis. We must change our way of thinking and acting. surprises, sometimes known as black swan events. However, this has proven to be one of the difficulties Contingencies have been put in place to avert any organisations need help to overcome. The biggest unexpected eventuality, with many other techniques challenge I have observed is that many would rather emerging to manage the unexpected. But every now stick or follow what worked previously and discount and then, something happens that is out of our control anything that requires novelty and a different way of and causes us to experience a level of shock that is doing things. Adopting the thinking that better the difficult to manage. During this period, our decision- devil you know rather than doing things differently. making is tested to the limit. One needs a framework This has proven to be a handicap for many working to work and use as a guide to arrive at a correct in organisations that are in a constant firefighting decision. mode dealing with one crisis after another. Many organisations are operating in a complex socio- One useful framework to use is the Cynefin technical environment. These are found in aviation, framework by Dave Snowden. Snowden noted that energy, railway, health, etc.; some appear to be the framework grew out of his starting to develop the managing the intricacies of this environment quite field of naturalising sense-making. The naturalising successfully. Some are struggling as they are in a element links to the need to use natural science state of firefighting most of the time, if not all the to understand how humans interact with systems time, and need help to comprehend why that is the and each other. Sense-making is defined as how case. This is the subject of this article i.e. how do one makes sense of the world so that one can act in you deal with the complexity of the organisational it. When faced with challenging situations making environment in order to improve organisational sense of what is at play and taking corrective action is performance? important in today’s world of work. Deploying standard operating and familiar models all the time for every The COVID-19 pandemic has made us realise that if we want to survive, we must create new and ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23 5

challenging situation or crisis is not helpful. One must as a collective name for Complex and Chaotic, has adapt to each challenge and employ correct crisis been dropped because Complexity and Chaos are management strategies. as different from each other as they are from Order. Further, we have the Confused domain, formerly What Cynefin framework is known as Disorder. This is the state of not knowing According to Snowden (2021) the essence of the which domain you are in. It is frequently, but wrongly Cynefin framework can be described as follows: (sic) confused with Chaos. Domains – Cynefin is a typology that describes three primary types of systems: Ordered, Complex, and Order – To accommodate the disconnect between Chaotic, each defined by the type of constraint or reality (ontology: how things are), perception absence thereof. Order is constrained, and future (epistemology: how we perceive things), and outcomes are predictable if the constraints can knowledge (phenomenology: how we know things) be sustained. The Complex domain has to enable in human systems, Order in Cynefin divides into two constraints and many levels of entanglement that domains (see figure 1): 1) Clear (constraints are rigid make it dispositional in nature, with no linear or fixed and the relationship between cause and material causality. Chaos is the absence of effective effect is self-evident and clear to any reasonable constraints. The shifts between the primary domains person) and 2) Complicated (causal relationships exist are all phase shifts. The best metaphor is latent but require expertise or analysis to discover them. heat – energy is required to achieve the phase shift Constraints are governing, providing confidence in the from liquid to gas even though the temperature does boundary of expertise). not change; similarly, phasing from liquid to solid gives off energy. The early historical use of Unorder, Figure 1: Cynefin Framework 6 ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23

Liminal Line – Cynefin is a dynamic framework; into Clear should be done only when the practice has things transition between domains. The intersections truly been established as best practice. The energy between the liminal lines demarcate the liminal it requires to shift something into Clear, with 100% zones in Cynefin. These liminal zones provide a space best practice is high. This shift should be done only to accommodate significant transitions between when you are confident that change will not be needed domains. The liminal line is open at the top (Figure for some time. In Chaos, practice is generally novel, 2), closed at the bottom, and intersects all domains either by accident or, in the liminal area, by design. In except Clear. Liminality in the Clear domain is not the liminal area of Confused, practice is aporetic – the visible, making the boundary between Clear and deliberate creation of paradox and puzzlement to get Chaotic a cliff or catastrophic fold. It is easy to walk people thinking differently. blindly off this cliff through excessive confidence in the context-free applicability of rigid constraints. The Framework (not method) – Cynefin is a decision liminal line creates liminal states in Complex (still support framework at its heart, not a method or uncertain but transiting to Complicated), Chaos (the model. It is based on the principle of ‘bounded deliberate removal of effective constraints for decision applicability’; there are few if any context-free support and/or innovation), Complicated (where the solutions, but many valid context-specific ones. The analysis method or type of expertise is in question), Framework is a way of determining what methods or and Confusion where the liminal area is one of aporia, approaches you should adopt, and when you should a state of authentic confusion i.e., being confused and change them. Movement between domains can take aware. To be unknowingly in the Confused domain is many forms, represented in the past as ‘dynamics.’ not advisable, and it is adjacent to the catastrophic The most stable pattern of movement is a constant fold for a reason. Aporia can also be intentionally iteration between Complex and Complicated, with created to stimulate pathways into any of the domains things being consigned to Clear when there is other than Clear. sufficient stability to warrant and the risk of getting it wrong is low. Occasionally there is a need to dip Figure 2: Liminal Cynefin into the ‘aporetic liminal’ area from Complicated, to disrupt entrained expert thinking. The ‘aporetic liminal’ area is the normal target for an exit from involuntary Chaos. There is also a dynamic that constantly moves from Complexity through all liminal zones and then back again. The solution to managing complexity Practice – There are different types of practice in each Some organisations are in a constant state of of the Cynefin domains including the liminal areas. In firefighting. Continuously going around in circles at the Complex domain, practice is ‘exceptive,’ or focused the same time, pushing everyone hard to produce on radical re-purposing of existing capability. In the results. When the expected results do not come, call Complicated domain, we apply ‘good practice,’ in everyone to push even harder, point fingers at one Clear, we have the only legitimate application of ‘best another, and put more constraints in an attempt to practice,’ In the liminal area between Complex and hold each other accountable. By so doing inadvertently Complicated, practice is iterative in nature. Transitions making it more difficult to achieve the set targets. ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23 7

Hollnagel (2009) encourages us to strike a balance on our knowledge of the past. We must keep our between efficiency and thoroughness with the ETTO options open to see what is out there and be open Principle. Often, organisations lean towards more to new possibilities. We need to think differently to thoroughness when performance targets are not enable new possibilities and enhance our chances met, i.e. tightening things believing that performance of achieving our goals. We cannot manage complex will improve. Unfortunately, this has proven to be environments by looking for root causes. Employing detrimental more so in a complex socio-technical root causes invites us to use fixed constraints suitable system. We apply a simple solution suitable for a clear for a clear environment, not a complex environment domain (see Figure 1) in a complex domain causing that requires enabling constraints. the system to react in an unpredictable manner. We then get surprises and want to tighten things further References up because the belief is that people are not doing what Hollnagel, E. (2009). The ETTO Principle: Efficiency- they are supposed to be doing, and by putting more Thouroughness trade-Off. Why things that go right constraints, we will force them to behave positively sometimes go wrong. Farnham, England: Ashgate and productively. By so doing, the circle continues. Publishing Limited. When we manage the evolutionary potential of the Snowden, D. (2021). What Cynefin is in brief - In present in a complex adaptive system; we embark Cynefin: weaving sense-making into the fabric of our on adventures rather than pursuing goals. Goal- world. Cognitive Edge Pte Ltd. Kindle Edition. oriented behaviour suggests an inability to capitalise on possibilities that arise along the route we could not have predicted. We must reject the urge to limit our vision by expecting or projecting the future based 8 ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23

KELLY MTETWA RAF CAREER EXHIBITION FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES People with disabilities are marginalised and excluded which kept them attentive to ask all the important from full participation in society globally. In South questions. I thoroughly appreciated the learners’ Africa, people with disabilities face multiple forms of optimism, positive spirit, and determination to push discrimination in various social spheres, including in themselves toward greater heights and career respect of access to healthcare services, employment, prospects, despite the obstacles they face. and education. Ultimately, such an event plays an essential role in creating an inclusive society where children Globally, individuals with disabilities frequently face with disabilities can realize their full potential and marginalisation and barriers to full participation in contribute to the workforce in meaningful ways. society. Similarly, in South Africa, they encounter various forms of discrimination in areas such as healthcare access, employment opportunities, and educational systems. The primary goal of the expo was to offer valuable and relevant information to students, graduates, and entrepreneurs with physical or intellectual disabilities. Disability does not equate to “inability,” and it is crucial to recognize one’s unique qualities and harness them for personal success. The Road Accident Fund and EOH hosted an engaging two-day career exhibition for children with disabilities at the Nasrec Expo Centre, where various corporate entities participated. Over 1,400 learners visited different stalls, inquiring about disability opportunities within each organization. The career expo not only focused on potential employment but also emphasized entrepreneurship, self-employment, and establishing strong foundations within the developing economy. On the last day of the expo, I was confronted with a disheartening realisation – more like a learning curve – that workplace inclusion for people with disabilities still has a long way to go. Many challenges arise when these individuals seek employment. However, what truly warmed my heart was how Kwenzekile Hlongwane (ATC)Kgomotso Mohlauli (HC), and Emihle Shumayele (ESD graduate) engaged with the learners ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23 9

WORLD DAY AGAINST KELLY MTETWA CHILD LABOUR The World Day against child labour gives insights so that families do not have to resort to sending their into the importance of safeguarding children’s rights children to work in order to make ends meet. By doing under the theme ‘Social Justice for All’, by ensuring this, companies can help break the cycle of poverty their access to quality education and creating a future that often drives parents to send their children into where each child can realise their full potential. As hazardous work environments. we commemorate World Day Against Child Labour, let us unite in our shared vision for a world free of child One could ask how ATNS plays its part to combat labour and provide opportunities for every child to child labour. The company benchmarks any work succeed in life. opportunity, bursary, learnerships, as well internships from the age of 18 and above, by targeting learners Child labour is a serious concern that has been who have matriculated and furthermore, ensuring plaguing communities the world over - for years, that comprehensive background checks are conducted it involves children who are below the legal age of for all employees to help identify underage workers, employment being engaged in work that is often meaning that ATNS strictly prohibits the employment dangerous, exploitative, and detrimental to their of underage workers. health and education. Child labour rights are a crucial aspect of human rights, aiming to protect well-being and dignity. Such ensures that children have access to education, healthcare, and a safe environment in which they can grow and develop. Internationally recognised through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Labour Organization’s minimum age convention, child labour rights focus on preventing the exploitation of children for work that hinders their mental, physical, emotional, or social development. There are many reasons why child labour persists, including poverty, lack of access to education, and social norms. While it is important to address these underlying causes, it is also critical to protect children from exploitation and hazardous work. Child labour is a violation of human rights, and it has serious consequences for the health, education, and future opportunities of children. Companies can also ensure that they provide a fair wage to adult workers and educational opportunities 10 ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23

World Environmental Day: Solutions to Plastic Pollution RETHABILE MATSIMELA Giving Compass, a non-profit organization recently is recyclable as they’re made of different polymer shared in an article that on average plastic is used materials. Therefore, a life cycle approach has to be for 12 minutes before it is disposed of. This a highly considered where product design, production, and concerning phenomenon considering only 9% of the distribution are re-examined for a systematic change. non-biodegradable material produced gets recycled. Over the years innovative alternatives to plastic have With the growing trend of plastic production over been made to fight this problem. Bioplastics such as the years we have seen governments and business liquid wood offer both the appearance and function entities try to limit the use of plastics. of traditional plastic however it is biodegradable. Silicone is another substitute that can be used in the The United Nations coined the theme of this year’s healthcare field and for day-to-day plastic use owing (2023) World Environment Day ‘solutions to plastic to its durability in water and heat. Starch-based pollution’, this comes after the fact that plastic has plants, milk protein, Beeswax, and glass are also engulfed our environment to an extent where it is good substitutes for plastics that manufacturers can found in the food we eat, the water we drink and the consider for their product packaging. air we breathe. Plastic even has a marine microbial habitat called plastisphere according to the United There are also measures that we can put in place as Nations Environment Programme as it is becoming a consumers to limit our consumption or use of plastic part of the Earth’s fossil records. such as using menstrual cups instead of pads or tampons, compostable trash bags made from potato The first plastics were made from natural sources starch, silicone stretch lids instead of Aluminium foil, such as trees, however over time petroleum became cotton bags to carry groceries from the store and the primary ingredient used to produce plastics. plant-based toothbrushes. Petroleum plastics are intentionally made to defeat the natural decay process and that means they persist Plastic pollution is an international problem, and longer in the environment. Plastic pollution is also it continues to affect the most vulnerable parts of enabled by improper disposal of consumers after the ecosystem stringent measures have to be put in use through littering and most of these plastics end place to end this pollution. This requires buy-in from up in the ocean since it is downstream from every local communities as they are the consumers of the terrestrial location. products. In March 2022 the United Nations Environment Source: Assembly adopted a landmark resolution titled “End https://images.app.goo.gl/NNiebZKLmKBKUSAT9 Plastic Pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument’’ this is done in a bid to end ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23 11 plastic pollution (especially single-use plastic) by 2024. Unfortunately, we cannot recycle our way out of this crisis as more energy is required to recycle plastic than to make a new one, and not all plastic

Youth Day Career Exhibitions KELLY MTETWA Youth Day in South Africa-commemorated on June 16 government departments, and Provincial and National annually. It is a significant day that honours and pays Entities just to name a few. tribute to the courage and determination of the youths who played a pivotal role during the Soweto uprising With every career exhibition, there is always a lesson in 1976. On this day, South Africans remember how to take home, to say the least, and, in this case, hundreds of brave students marched to oppose the the lesson was “The youth is speaking up, are we injustice and inequality perpetuated by the apartheid listening”. government’s education policies. To kick off the Youth Month celebrations ATNS, in collaboration with the Department of Transport, SACAA, and TETA held a highly informative career marketing day at one of ATNS’s CSI-adopted schools, the Alfred Maubane High School in Hammanskraal, in the North West Province. Young children from grades 8-9 and 10-12 who came from different backgrounds, cultures, with different aspirations came together to interact with all the speakers who gave top-tier presentations. The career Marketing event offered the learners ample opportunities to learn and engage with all the other entities that were present. Amongst the speakers from ATNS were Mpho Mc Don Moeti, Aeronautical Telecommunication Network Principal, Ivon Setswe, Engineering Training Instructor, and Kwenzekile Hlongwane, FAOR AREA NS Pool Manager. On the 16th of June, ATNS was participating in the Youth Day Celebration with the theme “Accelerating Youth Economic Emancipation for a sustainable future”, held at the Dr. Petrus Molemela stadium in Mangaung, Free State where Deputy President Paul Mashatile gave a keynote address. He addressed the multitude of youth who filled the about the government’s plans to create employment for the youth. Stakeholders present were the NYDA/PYEI, Department of Employment and Labour, young entrepreneurs and Partners in Sexual Health, SETAs, 12 ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23

COMRADES MARATHON 2023 Everyone can run a few miles; only winners can run a marathon. Thank you Matome, Francois, Ndimphiwe, Thembi, Nosipho, and Wesley, for representing us well! “2023 Comrades was a difficult one for me. Having been out of the game since April 2020, we only began training in December 2022, doing 5kms mostly. We began in earnest in January, targeting to qualify earlier. Unfortunately, I loaded more mileage rapidly which resulted in me having 2 injuries in addition to my chronic knee issue. As fate would have it, I lined up knowing fully well that it will be an uphill battle for the better part of the race, particularly as my Achilles tendinitis pain got worse in the week leading up to the race. I consulted with my Physiotherapist who insisted on needles despite my fear of such,” says Matome Moholola, ATNS’s Chief Financial Officer. He says as a runner, one learns to manage pain. “So, I needed to push hard while listening to my body. After reaching 70kms, I knew this was going to be a good race. The support from ATNS was phenomenal. To our surprise, the employer offered us a token of appreciation to raise the ATNS flag high. I ran a total of 9h42m. I dedicate this Personal Best (PB) to my wife, Maria (who finished in 10h44m), and all those who supported us all the way through”. “I encourage all ATNS’ers to run at least one Comrades race in their lifetime,” concludes Matome. “This year’s Comrades was challenging for me 13 because I had a knee injury building up to it. My knee started complaining when I was at 44km and my on- route support was at 55km where I could get help, by ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23

the time I got there I was already in pain. After getting comrades marathon in 2019 and it was from Durban the knee guard I managed to push till the finish. to Pietermaritzburg (Up run). This year was my second I’m grateful to have finished even though I wanted a time being able to enter Comrades and it was the first sub-11. It’s back to the drawing board to prepare for time I ran from Pietermaritzburg to Durban (Down my next one,” Nosipho Buthelezi, Business Process run). The mental part of the ultra-marathon starts Specialist. (for me) when your brain says you have now done the longest distance before (Loskop Ultra - 50 km or Two “This was my ninth Comrades Marathon; the weather Oceans Ultra - 56 km). You need to work with your was nice and cool. It was a down run, not my favourite, mind by convincing yourself that you have trained for as always slower, sorer on legs, and more challenging. this, and you can do it. After struggling for about 5-15 Nevertheless, great feeling after completion. It is an km your training starts to kick in and it is downhill experience that you can’t really explain, you just need from there,” Francois Barwise, ATM Operational to come and feel for yourself,” Thembi Mokoena, Systems Specialist. Logistics Technologist, ATNS OT Francois says the best feeling ever is when “you enter “I had a great race and I recovered quickly from the the stadium and cross the finish line, doesn’t matter race. The race was different for me. I did my first what your time.” 14 ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23

Avi Career Joint Neo Mokalanyane - FABL Air Traffic Services Officer What does your job entail? My job entails liaising with internal airfield What are some of the main challenges facing your departments and external organisations on various industry? aviation-related matters and managing incoming South Africa faces a wide range of weather conditions correspondence and emails; Monitoring Search and especially now in winter, including heavy rainfall, Rescue (SAR) requirements and cancellation of SAR; thunderstorms, and fog which can affect air traffic completions of necessary forms in the event of SAR, operations. Managing weather-related disruptions and accidents, or incidents on behalf of the air traffic ensuring the safety of flights during adverse weather controller; the manipulation and monitoring of AMATIS conditions poses a challenge for air traffic services. and TopSky; Liaising with AIMU regarding flight Recruiting, training, and retaining skilled air traffic plan requests; Creation, extension and cancellation controllers is essential for the smooth operation of NOTAMS; Billing the daily traffic statistics and of air traffic services. The modules/course can distributing them to the necessary recipients; Liaising be challenging so some people do not make it. with the Fault Reporting Centre with regards to faulty Maintaining an adequate number of qualified equipment and updating the unserviceability log. professionals can be challenging and the air traffic I also provide pertinent information about the services often face a shortage of controllers. destination aerodrome or alternate aerodrome Most ATCs migrate to other countries for better including hours of duty of manned stations, any opportunities and in turn, the company has to keep changes in weather conditions, physical changes recruiting and training to maintain an adequate to the condition of the aerodrome, and any other number of air traffic controllers. associated facilities. I also send departure messages and other messages via Anais. What drew you to work in the aviation industry? I had no idea what air traffic services was all about when I applied but as soon as my brother told me about it I did my research and that’s how I ended up at ATNS. I discovered that there are various career fields one can pursue so I applied for an ATSO bursar post. What I love about this career is it gives one the opportunity to become innovative, adapt to changing circumstances, and make split-second decisions. ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23 15

What do you think makes you good at your job? I wanted to be a nurse since my mother was a nurse, but she did not support the idea and my dad wanted I have worked as an ATSO for the past 6 years and me to be an engineer and that’s not what I was one of the things it entails is communication skills. interested in. I changed my mind when I was in Grade Effective communication skills are very crucial in air 12. I then decided to study B.Com Statistics. traffic services and it means one has to have strong verbal communication skills to convey clear and What big mistake at work taught you an important concise instructions to pilots and other stakeholders, lesson? not limited to listening and understanding information provided by pilots and colleagues. Miscommunication, as it may lead to delays, confusion, and errors. It is important to always be Additionally, situational awareness, multitasking, clear and concise when communicating information and paying attention to detail play a major role in and also actively listen when I don’t understand it’s the sector because they maintain a high level of important to ask the other person to rephrase the operational effectiveness in dynamic and complex question. environments. What advice do you have for young people wanting to join the aviation industry? When working in this industry we often have to stay updated by continuously having to undergo training I encourage continuous learning so I would and awareness so that we stay updated on new advise anyone to commit to lifelong learning. The procedures, equipment, and industry developments. aviation industry emphasises ongoing training and Good communication skills and continuous learning professional development. Stay curious by asking lots makes me good at my job. and lots of questions, seek opportunities for growth, and don’t stop learning! What did you want to be when you were a child? Why? SOURCE: ACSA 16 ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23

AERO South Africa 6 - 8 July 2023, Wonderboom National Airport, Pretoria The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) will be promoting Search and Rescue awareness at the FAWB Airshow. The ARCC is available 24/7, 365 days a year, to provide all the coordination and where necessary, be part of the successful deployment of all the requisite emergency search and rescue resources, as well as deal with any aircraft accident or forced landing that may take place in the SA Flight Information Region (FIR). Knowing who to call when it happens, could be a matter of life and death. Let us work together to save lives. It could be your next of kin or a friend. ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23 17

DUDU NDHLOVU 13th IFATSEA Africa Regional Meeting – Livingstone, Zambia The 13th IFATSEA Africa regional meeting hosted aviation industry post-pandemic. He questioned the by Zambia Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association role played by ATSEPs in aiding secure recovery and (ZATSEA) kicked off on the 13th of June 2023 at the future-proofing air traffic management as traffic tourist capital of Zambia, Livingstone, under the levels return to what we think was normal. He then patronage of the Minister of Transport and Logistics added: “The proliferation of advanced, innovative, in Zambia, Honourable Frank M. Tayali as the guest of and responsive technologies such as remotely piloted honour. The theme of the conference was ‘Sustainable systems, virtual centres, and System Wide Information Civil Aviation Transformation through ATSEP Management (SWIM) is upon us. It requires us to Solutions.’ The meeting attracted industry leaders meet with equal agility to continue maintaining the and technocrats from various aviation organizations safer operation of our aviation environment. These who greatly contributed to various discussions varying technologies can no longer be seen as disruptors from the barriers African ATSEPs face in contributing but as significant contributors to the expeditious and to sustainable aviation solutions to ATSEPs’ roles safer provision of safety mission-critical services. in developing sustainable aviation systems in Therefore, it has become imperative for the industry to response to the emerging, innovative, and advanced derive benefits and embrace the emergence of these technological revolution. technological advancements in our space.” The IFATSEA Africa Region Director, Sam Mahlangu, Furthermore, he said: “The efficient operation or in his opening address of the 13th IFATSEA Africa deployment of any system is as good as the support Regional Meeting, highlighted the volatility of the system required to ensure such a system’s safe and 18 ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23

reliable operations is realised. Therefore, training and human factors is essential to preserving and safety are critical wins for digitisation. It is incumbent enhancing ATSEP performance, which translates upon decision-makers to ensure that the training and to the efficiency of CNS/ATM systems and a high development of the custodian of this system become level of safety in the aviation industry in general. central to their strategic acquisition, implementation, • A presentation on IFATSEA Women’s Committee and deployment. If these matters are not accorded by Orefile Mthombeni, the South Africa Air Traffic undivided attention, the commission or deployment Electronics Personnel Association (SAATSEPA) will be set for failure from the onset. ATSEPs are President. Highlighted some of the challenges open to the reality that these technologies call for faced by women ATSEPs globally and how this change in system maintenance architecture and committee plays a role in providing a safe space competencies required to ensure continuous reliance for Women ATSEPs to share their challenges and for safer air traffic management. The realisation and collaborate in finding solutions. sustainability of civil aviation transformation would • Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), only be conclusive with the involvement of ATSEPs in Air Navigation Services Providers (ANSP), Civil the decision-making process.” Aviation Associations (CAAs), and Airports Authorities who also provided sponsorship for the The four-day conference comprised a rich program event were given the opportunity to participate with a wide range of topics such as: in the thought-provoking conversation aimed at • Human Factors and the impact they have on taking the aviation industry to greater heights. The meeting resolved to continue engaging these ATSEPs. Human Factors play a crucial role in industry players and contribute to providing solutions the performance of ATSEPs responsible for that will respond to the rapid technological transition. maintaining, troubleshooting, and ensuring the proper functioning of critical CNS/ATM systems. ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23 19 Therefore, understanding and addressing these

PERCY MOROKANE ATNS IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF KEEPING THE AFRICAN SKIES SAFE ATNS is responsible for air traffic control in now improving its tracking capability with satellite approximately six percent of the world’s airspace. The technology, thereby extending these services to other company’s services extend further than the familiar countries on the continent. It is for this reason that air traffic control service, into the provision of vitally we will be hosting Aireon CEO, Don Thoma and his important aeronautical information used for all flight team in mid-July. This meeting is a culmination of planning purposes as well as search and rescue hard work, resilience, and commitment. Aireon is coordination activities, and the maintenance of a provid*ing the first, global air traffic surveillance reliable navigation infrastructure. system using a space-based ADS-B network that makes it possible to extend visibility across the planet, ATNS was established in July 1993, ninety (91) years in real time. The system is now fully operational since after the invention of powered flight. In 2022, the 1 June 2023. company joined the rest of the aviation community, in celebrating 100 years of Air Traffic Control. Air The Aireon team will also join ATNS and the rest of Traffic Control as we have come to know it, has greatly the world, to celebrate International Mandela Day evolved in so many ways. Communication, Navigation, (IMD). On this fun-packed day, we will be hosting and Surveillance technology have also changed. To learners from one of the underprivileged schools improve ATNS’s air traffic navigation services, and in the Gauteng province, who are beneficiaries of contribute to the safety performance of the industry, ATNS’s unique, innovative CSI projects. This is but the company has embedded principles of innovation in one of the many projects that the company has been all its processes and procedures. It has also invested involved in around the country for many years. ATNS, immensely in new technologies, to consistently evolve prides itself in being at the forefront of investing in its business model and ensure it remains competitive. young South Africans through its support of schools and educators in rural areas, particularly promoting While ATNS’s current systems currently use radar proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and to provide navigation services, the company is mathematics, which is a requirement for a career in 20 ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23

air traffic control and feeds in the company’s bursary effective handover and maintenance of projects in programme. Another IMD event, which is an ATNS CSI impoverished, rural schools in all nine South African staff initiative, will take place in Matatiele (Eastern provinces. Cape) on the day. On 21 July 2023, the Minister of Transport, Ms. On 11 – 13 July 2023, ATNS, in collaboration with Sindisiwe Chikunga will attend ATNS 30th anniversary the Department of Basic Education (DBE), will be celebrations at the ATA. Several key industry hosting 22 Learners at the globally-renowned ATNS stakeholders are expected to be in attendance. At Aviation Training Academy (ATA), as part of the ATNS ATNS, we recognise the importance of securing National Winter School programme that focuses on stakeholder support for our long-term success by Mathematics and Science subject revision sessions. enhancing transparency, sharing knowledge, and The institution is a major contributor to ensuring generating innovative solutions. A crucial element aviation safety in South Africa and on the continent. In of engagement is developing long and lasting 2020, the ATA was recognised as an International Air relationships with strategic partners, suppliers, Transport Association (IATA) Premier Circle Member clients, the ATM community, governments, and for outstanding performance. Another ATNS/DBE our people. Strong stakeholder relationships are Winter School session is taking place on 10 – 14 July essential to our ability to create and preserve value in 2023 at Makgetse High School in Hammanskraal, the short-, medium- and long-term and to mitigate North West Province. value erosion. Often, stakeholder collaborations and partnerships also facilitate greater value creation for Twenty-two (22) unemployed youths, drawn from aviation than any one player could alone. ATNS-adopted schools in the Limpopo, North West, Kwa Zulu Natal, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga On 26 July 2023, as part of the Mandela Month Provinces, start an 8-week Remotely Piloted Licence activities and ATNS’s 30th-anniversary celebrations, training programme will on 10 July 2023 at the ATA. the company will be handing over a newly-building The training is part of a joint venture between ATNS and fully equipped computer and science laboratory to and Ntsu Aviation Solutions. Matsambu high school management and learners in Nkuri village, near Giyani, Limpopo province. Through ATNS’s social transformation strategy, the company has entered into a Memorandum of As we celebrate 30 years of existence, we wish to Understanding in a number of focus areas that acknowledge and recognise all those who were and include aligning ATNS’s annual roll-out plan with the are still part of our journey - that of ensuring that the DBE’s Annual Performance Plan (APP). This strategic African airspace is and will remain safe in the future. alliance has yielded positive results that involve the ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23 21

MATITA TSHABALALA Future Fit Workforce Programme (FFWP) – ATNS Organisation Design (OD) Project As ATNS continues to operate in an environment Over the last few months, the OD project team has characterised by disruption, volatility, and uncertainty, been hard at work defining the right structure for the need to ensure that we pivot towards becoming an ATNS to move forward with its Strategy 2025 goals organisation that is competitive, resilient and future- and great strides have already been made in designing fit has become imperative to our future sustainability. and resourcing an organisation that is leader-led, To address this concern, a refresh of our strategy was customer-focused, and an employer of choice for undertaken in 2019 and, thus, Strategy 2025 was born. exceptional talent. Strategy 2025 now serves as our blueprint for Recently, ATNS welcomed the appointment of the ensuring that we work in a way that is innovative, following Executives: sustainable, and customer-focused. At the core of this strategy lies the need to ensure that we have the right Mbongeni Maqashelana – Chief Business Services capabilities across each area of the business to allow (CBS) us to effectively reach our strategic aspirations. The Mbongeni boasts a wealth of experience, gained within Organisation Design (OD) project was thus launched the logistics, aviation, and rail industries. He joined as part of the Future-Fit Workforce Programme ATNS in 2014 as Senior Manager responsible for Risk, (FFWP) as a way to clearly define the capabilities Security, and Quality, and was promoted to the role of required for ATNS to achieve its goals, together Chief Risk Executive in 2017. with the resources and skills required within these capabilities to drive its success. 22 ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23

He holds a Master of Business Administration Degree He was a Human Factors Practitioner; Manager, (University of Stellenbosch), Post Graduate Diploma in Service Delivery Support, and Senior Manager, Business Management and Administration (University Operations (Prescribed Officer). of Stellenbosch), BCompt Degree (UNISA), National Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting Before he rejoined ATNS early this month as COO, (Walter Sisulu University of Technology). Certificate Josia was a Senior Operations Manager at Gateway Programme in Risk Management (UNISA). Airport Authority Limited in Polokwane, Limpopo Province. Mbongeni is an Associate member of the Institute of Risk Management (IRMSA) and a Certified Enterprise Josia holds a Master of Aviation degree from the Risk Manager (CERM™) with the International University of Western Sydney, Australia); Bachelor Academy of Business and Financial Management) of Arts (Hons) Industrial Psychology (University of (IABFM). South Africa), Baccalaureus Administration with specialisation in Aviation Management (University of Josia Manyakoana – Chief Operating Officer (COO) Pretoria). He also completed an Executive Leadership Josia has been in the aviation industry since 1995. He Development Program with the UNISA School of started his career in Air Traffic Management as an Air Business Leadership and a Board Core Leadership Traffic Control Officer in the South African Air Force Program at the Gordon Institute of Business Science). and later joined ATNS in the same position. During his time in the company, he moved swiftly up the ranks. ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23 23

Upcoming Events: • 03 – 04 July - International Conference on Aircraft Structures and Aviation Technology in Prague, Czechia • 05 - 07 July - ICAO Global Aviation Gender Summit 2023, Madrid, Spain • 06 - 08 July - AERO South Africa at Wonderboom National Airport, Pretoria, South Africa • 10 -11 July - International Conference on Aviation Composites in Paris, France • 24 - 30 July - EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA • 29 Jul - 05 Aug - SAPFA FAI Rally Flying World Championships – Mâcon, France 24 ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23

News In Brief 1. OR Tambo International Airport Arrest Highlights Aviation’s Role in Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade Aviation’s role in combating the illegal wildlife trade has once again come to the forefront with the recent arrest of a 43-year-old man at OR Tambo International Airport. The suspect was apprehended on 23 June while attempting to board a flight to Vietnam via Qatar, carrying a suitcase filled with lion bones. Source: https://airspace-africa.com/2023/06/24/or-tambo-international-airport-arrest-highlights- aviations-role-in-combating-illegal-wildlife-trade/ 2. Cockpit-recorder riddle emerges after the fatal crash of unresponsive Citation US investigators have yet to locate a cockpit voice recorder from the Cessna Citation V business jet which crashed in Virginia on 4 June after its pilot became unresponsive. The aircraft had not been fitted with a flight data recorder, nor was it required to be. Maintenance inspection records, however, indicate the jet, as of May this year, was equipped with a cockpit-voice recorder. Air-ground radio communications show the pilot contacted Atlanta en route center as the aircraft passed 9,300ft while climbing to 10,000ft. The controller cleared the flight to climb to 23,000ft. Source: https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/cockpit-recorder-riddle-emerges-after-fatal-crash-of- unresponsive-citation/153931.article 3. Astral Aviation teams up with Airlink for disaster relief shipments Astral Aviation has agreed to transport 50 tons of humanitarian aid over the next year as part of its first memorandum of understanding (MoU) with disaster response nonprofit organisation Airlink. Airlink will utilise cargo space on Astral Aviation’s flights to support the movement of humanitarian aid across the cargo airline’s network. The organisation has already leveraged this partnership in order to support a shipment of medicines and medical supplies to South Sudan. The supplies were donated by Airlink’s NGO partner, Partners for World Health, to an additional member of Airlink’s network, IMA World Health, and will be distributed in flood-affected regions in the Greater Upper Nile region, as well as in health facilities along South Sudan’s border with Uganda. Source: https://www.aircargonews.net/business/supply-chains/astral-aviation-teams-up-with-airlink-for- disaster-relief-shipments/ 4. Flying Back To South Africa: Major Airlines Including Cathay & Ethiopian To Increase Service Three major airlines want to increase their frequencies between their hubs and South Africa’s major airports. According to the notices published in the Government Gazette, Cathay Pacific, TAAG Angola Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines could boost the number of weekly flights to and from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. South African aviation has seen tremendous post-pandemic recovery, with several airlines reinstating their daily flights. However, regarding increased frequencies and according to News24 Business, aviation experts believe it is still early, and not all airlines may be granted rights to fly on all requested routes. Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/other/flying-back-to-south-africa-major-airlines-including- cathay-ethiopian-to-increase-service/ar-AA1d2uqo ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23 25

DID YOU KNOW? Here are some fun facts about aviation: • The first-ever flight lasted only 12 seconds and covered 121 feet (36 m)1. • It’s estimated that 96K planes are in the air every day. • The world’s shortest commercial flight lasts only 80 seconds and travels only 16.77 miles (26.9 km)1. • The United States has three of the world’s tallest air traffic control (ATC) towers, while Thailand has the tallest ATC tower in the world2. • Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand has the world’s tallest air traffic control (ATC) tower standing 132.2m (434ft) • Fear of flight is present in more than 80% of the population3. Source: https://incomopedia.com/aviation-and-airplanes-interesting- facts/ 26 ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23

Best Aviation Quote If you are looking for perfect safety, you will do well to sit on a fence and watch the birds; but if you really wish to learn, you must mount a machine and become acquainted with its tricks by actual trial. Wilbur Wright, from an address to the Western Society of Engineers in Chicago, 18 September 1901. (Image: By John T. Daniels/Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-DIG-ppprs00626-) ATNS GROUND-TO-AIR ISSUE 23 27

EDITORIAL TEAM Percy Morokane Editor-in-Chief Dudu Ndhlovu Sibongile Phutiyagae External Marketing Air Traffic Services – Specialist Regional Secretary: King Shaka International Airport Nompumelelo Molefe Aerodrome Air Traffic Controller Matita Tshabalala Kelly Mtetwa Aviation Psychologist Marketing & Communications Graduate Intern Mulomoni Nesengani Manager in the Office of the CEO 28 AZAaTThSNrOSaaGRTOimUNoDl-TO-AIR ISSUE 23