Jetrader - March/April 2012 - 35

AT: I currently work as a consultant with Air France Consulting at the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) of Congo in Brazzaville. The project is about assisting ANAC to adhere to international ICAO norms and recommendations (SARPS) and ultimately to come off the security list of the European Agency of Aviation Safety– EASA. My family back home in Houston (daughters Marie, Isabelle; son Gabriel; and my wife Amandine) have been a source of great psychological support throughout this project. JT: What do you see as the major challenges and opportunities for aviation in Africa? AT: Many international airline companies including U.S. airlines have started making regular ﬂights in sub-Saharan Africa, which reﬂects the increased dynamic aviation trafﬁc in that part of the world and the potential for growth that the African continent offers in aviation. In the Republic of Congo, the development of the oil industry allows increased air trafﬁc. The only hiccup of that expansion of air trafﬁc is the low level of aviation safety of many African airline companies. This has led many of them to be refused to ﬂy or to only be allowed a limited activity in the European Schengen airspace. The Republic of Congo, like many other African countries, has made progress in improving its civil aviation system. Two of the country’s airline companies successfully passed the IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) audit. The aviation industry in Africa is going to continue to grow, but the safety level has to improve even faster. The IOSA program in which I worked at IATA (International Air Transport Association) in Montreal, Canada, assists airline companies, but the civil aviation of the African countries has to continue to make substantial advancements and only a parallel advancement airline companies/civil aviation authority can guarantee a good level of aviation safety in Africa. JT: Any ﬁnal words for your friends at ISTAT? AT: I would like to share with all my friends at ISTAT that Africa is the aviation

market of tomorrow. Opportunities abound and work conditions have improved in many areas. “The African Risk” as far as aeronautical transactions are concerned is an outdated notion that has to be put aside because many companies are now acquiring new aircrafts for their ﬂeet. Many airline companies on the continent are potential great internship opportunities for ISTAT

Scholarship recipients and such an experience will allow to better understand the African market. In the Republic of Congo, I know of two companies that are ready to welcome ISTAT Scholarship recipients for an exciting African aviation experience. Aviation safety in Africa just requires continuous logistical support from all to improve.

Emma Smith
Jetrader: Tell us a little about your past and where you are from. Emma Smith: I was born in College Station, Texas, but moved frequently due to relocations with my father’s company. I attended many different schools, including home schooling for two of the years that we traveled the most. Our ﬁnal move, just as I was beginning high school, was to Sapulpa, Okla., a town outside of Tulsa. I began taking colleges courses while still in high school and graduated with honors. JT: When did you ﬁrst become interested in aviation? ES: Many children look up in the sky and are completely fascinated with ﬂying. My fascination was never lost. I spent as much time as I could at a local airport watching and listening as planes took off and landed. While I don’t have a long family history of aviation, I inherited my grandfather’s enthusiasm for it. He didn’t get to see me begin my ﬂight training, but I know he would be proud of my career choice. Jetrader 35

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Jetrader - March/April 2012

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