One of Africa’s foremost annual conference of aerospace professionals hosted by the Aeronautical Society of South Africa (AeSSA) will kick off tomorrow at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, South Africa.

The three-day event scheduled for 16-18 October 2019 will create a platform for aerospace experts from the industry, government, science councils and agencies, and academia, as well as students and other interested parties to meet, share and discuss the latest developments in aeronautics and space research and innovation in Africa.

With the theme “African Aerospace: Innovation & Passion”, the conference participants will brainstorm on key technical, policy and strategic plans for boosting business, research and workforce, among other areas, in Africa’s aerospace industry.

With participants and guests speakers drawn from Africa and beyond, the conference will enable local, regional and international collaborations.

“To thrive in the aerospace industry today, one cannot be mediocre. Competing on the world stage requires innovative, world-leading components, technologies, aircraft and systems. Passion is what helps one to stay the course for development in aerospace”, says AeSSA President Marié Botha.

The 2019 event has drawn a stellar cast of international and local keynote speakers, notably Ricardo Traven, Chief Test Pilot – Boeing Charleston; Billie Flynn, F-35 Test Pilot, Lockheed Martin; Major Nandi Zama, SANDF; and Captain Martin Louw, Comair.

Another highlight on the programme is the panel discussion on the topic, Automation – Unintended Consequences on Pilot Handling Skills and Aviation Safety. This discussion will be facilitated by Maj. Gen. Des Barker SAAF Rtd. Panel members are Billie Flynn, Lockheed Martin; Captain Scully Levin, Mango; Captain Martin Louw, Comair; Captain Stefan Popwara, SAA; Ricardo Traven, Boeing Charleston; and Captain Glen Warden, Comair.

The programme will also have various technical presentations over two days by participants from industry, government, science councils and agencies, and academia.

One of the technical sessions tomorrow will focus on Satellite Technology from 11:30 – 13:30 which will feature presentations on the SmallSat mini-constellations for IoT Solutions in Southern Africa by Guido Schwartz of Airbus and Sias Mostert of SCS Aerospace. Other presentations booked for the Satellite Technology session include Microwave Sub-assemblies Using Selective Laser Melting by Vernon Davids, and Fluid Loop Inertial Actuator by Rudi Glatthaar.

To complement this technical programme, various networking events are included. The Women in Aerospace Breakfast on 17 October 2019 is open to both women and men, and the conference programme concludes with a visit to The Airplane Factory, south of Johannesburg, on 18 October 2019.

Pre-conference events such as AeSSA’s Young Professionals Workshop and the lecture on The Evolution of 5th Generation Fightershave have already kicked off today.

#AeSSA‘s #YoungProfessionals Workshop @Lanseria_Int #STREAMLab today! Ricardo Traven & @billieflynn doing an amazing job. Excellent event with @sakhikamva https://t.co/Avj2DI6czK#AfricanAerospaceConference#JobsfortheFuture#Innovation#Passion#Aeronautics#Space pic.twitter.com/ZqrtqGbe9J

— Aero South Africa (@AerospaceSA) October 15, 2019

#AfricanAerospaceConference Here we go! #CapeChapter of the #AeronauticalSocietyofSouthAfrica hosts keynote speaker @billieflynn F-35 Lightning II Test Pilot of @LockheedMartin. Lecture:’The Evolution of 5th Generation Fighters’#Innovation#Passion #Aeronautics#Space#AeSSA pic.twitter.com/gNr1XpzSut

— Aero South Africa (@AerospaceSA) October 14, 2019