My Brilliant Career Plotting a path to flying success
Ferlicia Ward is the principal flight procedure specialist at Air Traffic and Navigation Services, which provides air traffic, navigation and training services to cover about 10% of the world’s airspace. She tells Margaret Harris that to survive the stres
You are a flight procedure design specialist, one of only seven in South Africa. What does your job entail?
My core function is the design of instrument approach procedures (flight procedures) for South Africa and neighbouring countries. [These are the series of predetermined manoeuvres required for a plane to go from the beginning of the initial approach to landing on the runway.]
I am also responsible for the maintenance (review) of instrument approach procedures when they expire (after five years), or when requested by industry.
What does your typical workday involve?
The process of designing instrument approach procedures can take anything from 20 days to a year, depending on the project. If the request is for one design, it will take between 20 and 30 days from start to finish. However, most projects involve between four and six designs, so that can take longer, considering the amount of stakeholder involvement, consultation and approval required when designing a procedure.
What and where did you study, and how do your qualifications help you do your job?
I trained at the Air Navigation Institute in Switzerland. After this, I received mentorship training, which involved being given a series of “mock” procedures. These test operations include the different types of project.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I initially wanted to be a teacher because I loved my teachers and I loved learning.
As I grew older and was exposed to various careers, being a pilot was always one of my greatest passions. I was amazed at the thought of a metal object (so heavy) being able to float in the sky.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of funds, I was unable to pursue my dream. However, I heard about ATNS [Air Traffic and Navigation Services] and received a bursary, and now I am able to work in the industry I have always wanted to join.
It’s always a challenge! No day is ever the same, and no project is ever the same. Each design is different as no airport is the same. Also, I get satisfaction from seeing procedures published after months of work and from sitting in an aircraft flying to a destination and knowing you designed the procedure.
If you had to choose another career, what would it be?
I would definitely want to be a pilot.
What advice would you give to a young
person considering working in your industry?
That the sky is not the limit — some of us call it home.
One should always be kind to oneself in this industry. Mistakes do happen, and a lot of criticism will be received from others, and if you cannot forgive yourself and learn from your mistakes, it may be a very stressful industry to work in.
I know it sounds clichéd, but if you can dream it, you can achieve it.
What would people find most surprising about your work?
I apply Grade 12 trigonometry every day. I always used to wonder what the point of trig was in school.
Also, procedure design is a process, and the results are not immediate. After submitting a procedure to the South African Civil Aviation Authority for approval, it can take months before it is published in the official aeronautical information publication and available for use by the industry. Patience is crucial.