military skills development system
Catering Language Practitioner
Firefighter Nature Conservation
Sport Officer
Protection Services
Airspace Control Operator
Telecommunications
Construction Machine Operator
Bowser Driver Operator
Material Support Clerk (Technical)
Mechanical Engineering
Electronic Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Aeronautical engineering
MechanicalElectronic
ElectricalGeneral Support Trade
PILOT / NAVIGATOR TRAINING
Diverse Support
Command And Control
Technical Support
Student Engineer
Apprentice Training
Personnel
Musician
Material Support Clerk (Admin/Supply)
Air and Ground Load Master
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Biographical Information
The mandate of the South African AirForce (SAAF) is to provide and manage
the air defence capability of the Departmentof Defence on behalf of the DoD, therebyparticipating in the service to ensure:
The sovereignty and protection of theRepublic’s territorial integrity. Compliancewith the international obligations of theRepublic of to international bodies andstates.
The arrival of recently acquired state-of-the-art aircraft and weapon systems haveboosted confidence in the SA Air Force'scapability to safeguard our nation andprovide humanitarian support. In order toeffectively carry out its mandate, the SAAFrelies heavily on the skills and dedication ofall serving personnel.
The MSDS programme is a two-yearvoluntary service system. Recruits arerequired to sign up for a period of two years,during which they will receive militarytraining and further functional training.Further functional training includes a widevariety of options, varying from specialisedmusterings such as Engineering to generalsupport musterings such as MaterialSupport Clerks.
The MSDS system allows the member toadapt to the military way of life. Towards theend of the second year (unless otherwiseindicated), the member will be given theopportunity to indicate whether he or shewould like to extend the contract or leavethe Air Force. An extension of the contractwill mainly depend on the member'sperformance over the two years and theavailability of posts in the relevant
8functional field.
Members who do not extend their two-yearservice contract will serve in the ReserveForce (part-time) after completion of theinitial two-year period.
• Be a South African citizen and relinquishany other citizenship he/she may have.Age between 18 and 22.
• Currently in Grade 12 or completedGrade 12.
• Not area bound.
• Must not have a criminal record.
• C o m p l y w i t h m e d i c a l f i t n e s srequirements for appointment in theSANDF.
• Comply with al l the prescribedrequirements for appointment in theSANDF.
• Must be willing to relocate and toparticipate in deployments both in SouthAfrica and abroad if required to do so.
• Apart from these general requirements,additional requirements might have to bemet, depending on the specific trainingdemands of some of the more specialisedoccupations.
Responsible for safe on-loading and off-loading of freight on board aircraft. Grade12 Mathemat ics NSC leve l -3 orMathematics Literacy NSC level-4 isessential with English as a passed subject.Candidates must have passed English, bemedically fit and not have a hearingimpairment.
Responsible for preparation and serving ofdaily meals at Air Force messes andassisting with the control of food supplies.
The planning of menu’s and functions arealso required. Must be prepared to worklong and irregular hours. Grade 12Accounting NSC level-4 is essential.
Render professional crash and structuralfirefighting services at all Air Force bases.Grade 12 Mathematics is a prerequisite.Should not suffer from a fear of heights,claustrophobia or colour blindness.
Deliver a language support service inrespect of documentation and publicationsin any of the eleven official languages. A 3-year recognised tertiary qualification isessential, although postgraduate studieswill be preferred.
The acquisition, storing, issuing, withdrawaland disposal of all equipment (supplies)used by the Air Force. Grade 12 withAccounting NSC level-4 and computerliteracy is essential.
The management and coordination of allroad transport needs, reports and9administration of all vehicle accidents andmaintenance of trip books, authorities,vehicle service cards, toll gate forms andwork journals. Grade 12 is essential and acode-08 driver’s license is preferable.
Responsible for providing music at militaryparades, functions and military funerals.Grade III Theory (UNISA) and Grade VI
Practical are essential.
R e s p o n s i b l e f o r e n s u r i n g t h eenvironmentally sustainable managementof military activities and infrastructure. Itwould be required of successful candidatesto follow an Environmental ManagementS y s t e m a p p r o a c h ( i . e . I n t h eimplementat ion of Env i ronmenta lEducation, Training and awareness, BaseEnvironmental Management, IntegratedTra in ing Area Managemen t andEnvironmental Considerations in MilitaryOperations). A 3-year National Diploma orBachelor’s Degree in Natural Science orGeography is essential.
Responsible for providing a professionaltailoring service to the Air Force militarypersonnel at various bases/units, inaccordance with military standards. Arecognised 3-year National Diploma isessential.
The protection of Air Force bases, units andpersonnel. Sub-divisions include entrancecontrol, X-ray machine operation, sentryduty and dog handling. Specialist traininginclude VIP protection, task force andregimental instruction. Grade 12 isessential.
Attend to all personnel matters, e.g.recruitment, career advancement, transferof members and other personnel matters.Computer literacy, good communicationand interpersonal skills are essential.Grade 12 is essential.
Prescribe fitness-training programmes andmanage the execution of the fitnessevaluations of all members of the Air Force.Act as secretary of the unit sport club,organise all sport events, maintanance ofsport facilities, compile budgets for stateand private funds and liaison with sponsors.A recognised 3-year Degree or Diploma inHuman Movement or Sport Management isessential.
Be between the ages of 18 and 24.Completed Grade 12 with Mathematics(NSC level-4).
Duration - 18 months’ training at Air SpaceControl School (also includes Basic MilitaryTraining at Air Force Gymnasium).Successful applicants are utilised in thefollowing fields:
The day-to-day execution of all airspacecontrol activities are managed by Air TrafficControllers (ATCs) and Mission Controllers(Mcs). ATCs are responsible for expeditingand maintaining a safe and orderly flow ofair traffic, and MCs execute in-flightcommand and control over militaryoperational missions. This requiresadapting to different work situations andtherefore a high level of concentration is anessential skill.
The Ground Command and ControlManagement operational role is to servethe SAAF and Joint Operations for tasking,allocating and controlling all air operations,except for in-flight Command and Control.Consists of Command Post Officers and
Command Post Assistants whose primaryrole is to provide the necessary informationfor the allocation of own-forces to thevarious theatres and provide the relevantown-force information necessary for thegeneral planning to conduct air operations.
Telecommunications relate to most of theoperational capabilities of the SAAF andcan, therefore, be regarded as the singlemost important tool required by the SAAF tofulfil its mission.
Based on this, the primary objective is toh a v e a s e c u r e a n d r e l i a b l etelecommunication infrastructure, whichcan provide a wide range of InformationCommunication Technology (ICT) servicesnecessary for efficient command andcontrol of the weapon systems and supportof other functions of the SAAF, in order tocreate and provide an integrated situationalawareness medium. The following areprovided and managed by the InformationCommunication Technology Managementsection: Static Microwave Networks,Information Technology capability of theSAAF, Tactical/Static ICT capability,Electronic Private Automatic BranchExchange (EPABX) capability (TelephoneServices), Cable Infrastructure in support ofall voice and data services.
The handling of all construction machineryand vehicles used during base and runwaymaintenance. Must be prepared to traveland work irregular hours. Grade 12 isessential.
Drive heavy bowser vehicles and handlerefuelling apparatus during the refuelling ofaircraft. Grade 12 Mathematics and a senseof responsibility with regard to safetyaspects are essential.
Monitor the servicing of aircraft according tolaid-down methods at the right time andensure that a complete service record iskept. Administrative abilities, a technicalaptitude, computer literacy and Grade 12Mathematics is essential.
• Be between the ages of 18 and 24.• Comple ted Grade 12 wi th fu l l
m a t r i c u l a t i o n e x e m p t i o n , w i t hMathematics and Physical Scienceminimum NSC level-5 as prescribed byUniversities with English as a passedsubject.
• Must be recommended by theConsolidated Selection Board.
Selected Air Force candidates forengineering studies join on a contract basis.This necessi tates the successfulcompletion of military courses during thefirst year of the contract, followed by studiesat selected universities and continuedservice in the Air Force for the remainder ofthe first contract period.
After successful completion of BasicMilitary Training, Officer Formative Training(which focuses primarily on leadershipdevelopment) during the first year, the initialtwo-year MSDS contract is migrated to a 9year Core Service System contract.Members then commence their studies atone of the following Universities: TheUniversity of Pretoria, the University of theWitwatersrand, the Univers i ty ofStellenbosch or the University of CapeTown in one of the following disciplines:Mechanical Engineering; ElectronicEngineering; Industrial Engineering;Aeronautical Engineering and CivilEngineering.
Completed Grade 12 with full matriculationexemption, with Mathematics and PhysicalScience minimum NSC level-5 asprescribed by Universities. On completionof their academic studies, these memberswill be given the opportunity to apply theirskills in the Engineering environment forthe remainder of their contract.
Qualified Engineers and those that arecurrently studying are encouraged to apply.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SAAIR FORCE
Air Load Master
Catering
Firefighter
Language Practitioners
Material Support Clerk (Supply)
Material Support Clerk (Admin):
Musicians
Nature Conservation
Tailor
Protection Services
Personnel
Physical Training Sport and RecreationOfficers
Minimum Requirements
Training
Airspace Controller
Ground Command and ControlManagement (GCCM)
Information CommunicationTechnology Management (ICTM)
Construction Machine Operator
Bowser Driver Operator
Material Support Clerk (Technical)
Minimum Requirements
Additional Requirements forEngineering Include
Ground Load MasterResponsible for preparation of freight (i.e.Inspections and palletising of freight) toallow for safe on-loading and off-loading.Grade 12 Mathematics Literacy NSC level-4 is essential
MILITARY SKILLS DEVELOPMENTSYSTEM (MSDS) PROGRAMME
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
DIVERSE SUPPORT
COMMANDAND CONTROL
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
ENGINEERING
careers in the
south african air forcesouth african air force
careers in thesouth african air force
military skills development systemmilitary skills development system
Province, Gender, Race(for statistical purposes, please mark with an X)
Gauteng W Cape
N Cape Mpumalanga
Free State KZN
E Cape North West
Limpopo
Single Married
Male Female
African Indian
Coloured White
Busy with Completed
. . . . . . . . Year of Completion
11 12 University
Technical University of Technology
Subject Symbol HG SG LG
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Directorate HR Services(Recruitment Section)
Private Bag X199Pretoria0001
Tel:+27 12 312 1164+27 12 312 2148+27 12 312 2609+27 12 312 2904+27 12 312 2985
Fax: +2712 312 2138
Website: www.af.mil.za
Marital Status
Gender
Race
National Senior Certificate:
My Grade:
My subjects, symbols and levels are as follows:
SA Air Force Headquarters
APPRENTICE TRAINING
PILOT / NAVIGATOR TRAINING
PHASES OF TRAINING
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALLMUSTERINGS
PLEASE NOTE
Following the completion of Basic MilitaryTraining (22 weeks), members will receiveBasic Technical Training, including a SchoolBlock (12 weeks) and a Workshop Phase(12 weeks). Trade workers will only then beselected for further Trade Training based ontheir performance thus far. This will implythat after serving 1-year of the original 2-year MSD contract, members will migrate tothe Core Service System. Trade workerswho have successfully completed the firstyear of development and who are notselected for Trade Training will be utilisedas Technical Assistants during the secondyear of their contract. Trade Trainingincludes Trade Theory, Trade Practicalsand exposure to the avionic environment ata depot or a base.
The apprentice-training programme isoffered in the following fields: MechanicalTrade; Electronic Trade; Electrical Trade;General Avionic Support Trade. Oncompletion of Trade Training, members will
be given the opportunity to apply their skillsin the military aviation environment for theremainder of the contract.
• Grade 12 or N3 qualification: 18 - 22years of age; Grade 12 with Mathematicsand Physical Science NSC level-3 aspassed subjects or N3 in a technical fieldwith English as a passed subject in Grade12.
• Tertiary qualification: 18 - 26 years of age;N4-certificate passed with at least 60%and N5 - N6 certificate passed with atleast 60% in a technical field and English(compulsory) as a passed subject.
In the absence of any significant externalmilitary threat against SouthAfrica, the main
aim of the SAAir Force is still to keep our airspace safe. It remains, therefore, crucial tohave a well-trained flying corps to be able toreact to potentially threatening situations. Atthis stage, Pilots and Navigators are mainlyutilised for humanitarian purposes.
• Be a South African citizen or relinquishany other citizenship he/she may have.
• Age between 18 and 24 or not older than26 years (if graduate).
• Not be older than 28 years uponcommencement of practical flyingtraining.
• Currently busy with or successfullycompleted Grade 12.
• Obtain at least a Grade 12 NSC level-4Mathematics and Physical Science.
• Mathematics and Physical Science 60%in N4.
• Mathematics and Physical Science 50%in N5 / N6 / 1st year university oruniversity of technology level.
• Pass English at Grade 12 or anequivalent level.
• Be medically fit, as normally required ofpersons wishing to train as pilots ornavigators in theAir Force.
• Have 6/6 vision; in other words, he/shemust not have need of spectacles,contact lenses or laser 12 correction.
• Not have any hearing impairment; inother words, he/she must not have aneed of hearing aids.
• Must be willing to relocate and toparticipate in deployment both in SouthAfrica and abroad if required to do so.
• Must not have a criminal record.
Candidates who comply with the minimumrequirements may apply throughout theyear and may be earmarked for furtherselection. This will mainly depend on theneed to train new Pilots/Navigators at thetime. Candidates will be invited to take part
in the selection process in Pretoria, and thisentails the following:
All applicants will be required to undergoaptitude and general cognitive abilityassessments. Only candidates whoperform above the norm will be allowed toproceed to the next selection phase.
A hand-eye coordination test must bepassed in order to proceed to the nextselection phase.
Candidates will then be interviewed by aselection panel comprising senior militarypersonnel from the Air Force and other staffdivisions. Taking into account thecandidate's performance thus far, thefollowing additional variables will serve ascriteria for evaluation during the interview:motivation, perseverance, purposefulness,creativity, officer potential, knowledge,adaptability, analytical ability.
Candidates who are recommended for Pilotor Navigator training by the above-mentioned selection panel will then besubjected to a thorough medicalexamination at the Institute for AviationMedicine.An offer of employment will be extended tothe most successful candidates, taking intoconsideration equal opportunity andaffirmative action programmes within theDepartment of Defence.
3 years, including Basic Military Training,Officers Formative Course, MilitaryCertificate Course, Ground School andFlying phase.
Training will be presented over a 22-weekperiod at theAir Force Gymnasium, Boston.
On completion of Basic Military Training,Pupil Pilots and Learner Navigators will betransferred to the SA Air Force College,located in Thaba Tshwane, Pretoria, for aperiod of 19 weeks in order to complete theOfficers Forming Course.
Subjects currently presented by 80 AirNavigation School at Air Force BaseYsterplaat include Basic Parachute Course(does not include jumps), First Aid Course,Land Survival Training and Sea SurvivalTraining.
All Pupil Pilots and Learner Navigators willcomplete a Military Certificate beforecommencing flying training. This course isoffered at the Military Academy in Saldanhaand includes all Flying Theory.
On successful completion of the Survival,P repara to ry Tra in ing phases ( i frecommended) and the Military CertificateCourse, Learner Navigators will betransferred to 80 Air Navigator School inCape Town and Pupil Pilots will commencetheir flying training at Central Flying SchoolLangebaanweg.
Pupil Pilots will be required to master ab-initio side-by-side training and thereafterthe Astra aircraft (Pilatus PC7 trainer),including simulation exercises and generalformation-, instrument-, navigational- andnight- flying.
Pupil Pilots qualify after a period ofapproximately 2 years and 7 months oftraining of which approximately 65 flyinghours are spent on side-by-side traineraircraft and 110 flying hours on the Astra,Pilatus PC-7. Successful Pupil Pilots willreceive their wings at the same time as theLearner Navigators.
Learner Navigators will be stationed at AFBYsterplaat in Cape Town for their flyingtraining, but will from time to time receivetraining at various squadrons in the AirForce, if required and subject to aircraftavailability. The subjects offered and type ofaircraft used for the duration of thesephases are as follows: Navigation, Mapsand Plotting, Flight Planning, Avionics,Crew Cooperation, Electronic Warfare.
Side-by side trainer, Astra (PC-7 Pilatus),Cessna Caravan, C47 TP Dakota. LearnerNavigator training lasts for approximately 2years and approximately 90 flying hoursand 60 simulator hours. Learner Navigatorswill qualify and receive their wings at thesame time as the Pupil Pilots.
Pupil Pilots will be stationed at the CentralFlying School Langebaanweg for the BasicFlying Phase (ab-initio phase). Thefollowing subjects will be presented:
Ground Phase - Air Dynamics, Plotting onMaps, Navigation, Electronic Warfare.
Flying Phase - Pupil Pilots will be requiredto master the side-by-side trainer Astra,Pilatus PC7 trainer, including: SimulationExercises, General Flying, Formations,Instrument Flying, Navigational Flying,Night Flying.
Pupil Pilots qualify after a period ofapproximately 2 years’ training andapproximately 180 flying hours.
On successful complet ion of thePilot/Navigator course, members will beoffered a contract and compelled to fulfiltheir contractual obligations to the SA AirForce.
On completion of the flying phase, astreaming board will be convened todetermine in which line function a pilot willbe utilised, namely: Fighter, Helicopter orTransport line.
Criteria used for the allocation of pilots tovarious line functions: needs of the AirForce; Results and achievements oncourse; own preference; recommendationby flying instructor. Pilots will be transferredto one of the following Air Force institutionsfor further training in their line function,before being utilised at the varioussquadrons of the SA Air Force: FighterSquadron - 85 Combat Flying School, AFBMakhado, Limpopo Province; TransportSquadron - 41 Squadron, AFB Waterkloof,Pretoria, Gauteng Province; HelicopterSquadron - 87 Helicopter Flying School,AFB Bloemspruit, Free State Province.
Candidates who comply with the minimumrequirements for application may applythroughout the year and may be invited forfurther selection. This will mainly depend onthe need to train new pilots at the time.Candidates will be invited to take part in thepre-selection process in Pretoria.
Must be single when applying and remainsingle for the duration of training.
Minimum Requirements for ApprenticeTraining
Training Process
Minimum Entry Requirements
Selection Process
Psychometric Evaluation
Psychomotor assessment
Panel Interview
Medical Examination
Duration
Basic Military Training (BMT)
Officers Forming Course
Survival Training
Military Certificate Course
Ground School and Flying Phase
Flying Phase
Learner Navigators
Aircraft
Pupil Pilots
Contract
Further Training and Utilisation
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south african air forcesouth african air force
Job No: 2655/56/4443
