The 2019 Annual Conference of the Aeronautical Society of South Africa (a division of the Royal Aeronautical Society) takes place on 16-18 October 2019 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria. Its theme is African Aerospace: Innovation & Passion. For more information, visit www.aessa.org.za

In addition to our international speakers, Billie Flynn, Lockheed Martin, F-35 Lightning II Test Pilot, and Ricardo Traven, Chief Test Pilot – Boeing Charleston.787 Dreamliner Program, and our invited speakers, Major Nandi Zama, SANDF, and Captain Martin Louw, Comair, the AeSSA will also welcome two Guests of Honour at the Women in Aerospace Breakfast on 17 October 2019. They are Ms Linda Weiland of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Major Nandi Zama of the SANDF.

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Linda Weiland is Associate Professor of Aeronautics College of Aeronautics Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). She has been working with Embry-Riddle since 1994, starting as an Adjunct, then a Campus Director and currently a Fulltime Faculty in the College of Aeronautics. She recently became the Assistant Program Chair of the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance (BSAvM) degree. She also developed the graduate Air Traffic Management (ATM) Specialization for the Masters in Aeronautical Science (MSA) and was instrumental to the development of the ATM minor in the Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics (BSA). She has developed numerous graduate and undergraduate courses. She also teaches many of the Master of Aviation Maintenance (MAVM) courses.

She serves on committees throughout the university and is on the editorial staff of aviation journals. She works with high schools and colleges around the world in Robotics, and STEM endeavours. Linda is the current Outreach Coordinator of the Women in Aviation International (WAI) ERAU Worldwide Virtual Chapter. She also is active in Zonta, and American Association of University Women (AAUW). She is a global mentor to students.

Ms Weiland is currently a part-time PhD student at the University of the Witwatersrand in the school of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering, Johannesburg, South Africa. Her topic of interest is Resilience of communication in ATM, with a focus on aeronautical and industrial engineering methodologies and theoretical framework.

Her certifications include Federal Aviation Administration Control Tower Operator (CTO); Defense acquisition certified. DAWIA level II Acquisition AQD, Manufacturing, and Production. DAWIA Acquisition Professional Community APC, APM fully qualified. DAWIAI level I logistics support, and logistics maintenance.

Prior to fulltime employment at ERAU, Ms Weiland worked as a Liaison Engineer and Director of Project Management at a major airline. She is a decorated retired US Navy Lieutenant Commander with 26 year of service. She spent 10 years as an enlisted Air Traffic Controller, two years as a Manpower Specialist Officer in Aviation and 14 years as an Aircraft Maintenance Duty Officer. She has about 40 hours in the Backseat of the TA-4 and finished her Naval Career Forward Deployed as a Maintenance Officer with FA-18s aboard the USS Kitty Hawk.

Ms Weiland has published articles and given presentations, often with faculty and students. She is interested in global research in ATM, resilience, human factors, aeronautical and industrial engineering, airport environmental impacts, Collaborative Decision Making (CDM), academic technology, diversity and inclusion in aviation. She has also served on several national aviation panels and committees.

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Major Nandi Zama is an esteemed military pilot in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who is recognised as the first black woman in the history of South Africa to fly and command a Hercules C130 cargo plane. She is an invited speaker at the AeSSA’s 2019 Annual Conference, themed ‘African Aerospace: Innovation and Passion’.

Originally from Kwa-Zulu Natal (Kwa-Mashu), Major Zama joined the SANDF in 2004, completing her BSc at the SA Military Academy soon after. She received her pilot’s wings in 2006 and has since continued to loyally serve in the South African Air Force (SAAF), accumulating a total of 2 100 hours of active flight.

She is passionate about engaging with young professionals and school goers, particularly young girls, and encourages them to explore careers in aviation and STEM fields.

With an interest in aviation that began during her teenage years, Major Zama has since flown various aircraft, the most recent being the Hercules C130BZ which is the most tactical airlift in global military standards.  She acknowledges the role that Mathematics and Science played in her early years of the military and remains an advocate of these subjects whenever she engages with young people.

Her military aviation career has seen Major Zama fly across many nations, including conflict countries such as the DRC and South Sudan; and has seen her lead the C130 formation during the 2019 Presidential Inauguration.  She says, “Any occasion to fly the C130 is an extremely enjoyable experience. As a military aviator it is an honour to salute the commander in chief in this way. In this case, it was a C130BZ leading a formation of 6 Astra Pilatus PC VII.”

Major Zama adds, “Formation compositions differ from one parade or flypast to another so although this is the second inauguration flypast in which I have flown C130s in (the first was in 2014 for former President Zuma), it is the first with Astras and the first while I was in lead.” 

She is a certified Aviation Safety Officer, Flight Testing and Evaluation Pilot and Senior Staff Officer.