This month we say hello to our instructor Johannes Petrus Truter (JP). He has experience as an Aviation Manager and Accountable Manager, extensive experience and accomplishments in Flight Operations, Cabin Services, Commercial Aircraft Maintenance/Engineering, Quality Assurance, Logistics, Safety Management System (SMS), Flight Technical and Human Resources with strong Project and Financial Management Skills. Johannes demonstrated capability and results in the application of aviation strategy, aviation training and technical functional management initiatives.
We asked Johannes (JP) to tell us a bit more about himself.
Q: Does the aviation gene run in your family?
A: Actually no, I was the only one in my family choosing aviation as a career.
Q: Is there a childhood dream involved in your choice of career?
A:Very much so, I had a big interest in aircraft as a young boy, in particular model building. I
saw pictures in a book of the Concorde’s cockpit, this triggered my interest in becoming a
Flight Engineer and Pilot.
Q: In your opinion, what is the most valuable quality a person should have in your line of
work?
A: A passion for aviation and the willingness to embrace aviation safety practices.
Q: What are the most enjoyable aspects of the job? And the most challenging?
A:Training and transferring my knowledge is a passion for me and provides the intrinsic
satisfaction that feeds my dedication towards aviation training. I thoroughly enjoy engaging
with participants in the class room, and mainly the mutual sharing of knowledge. The most
challenging quality for me as an instructor, is to engage with the participants during training,
at a level that will ensure understanding and learning regardless of cultural diversity.
Q: How do you find ways to make your work more interesting for you and your trainees?
A: Without doubt, the personal engagement with participants during training is what create
interest and understanding. Interest is created by giving examples from the workplace, that
the participants can associate with. Group and individual discussions is of paramount
importance to keep the interest of participants. Training must be pitched at the
understanding and experience level of each participant. Therefore, ensure continuing
interest and the building of a knowledge repository of the subject being taught.
Q: Would you like to share some interesting and extraordinary experience involving your
work?
A: I’m very proud of the role I played as a change agent for several Civil Aviation
Authorities, in several countries around the world. My involvement as instructor and coach
lifted the individual state’s effective implementation (EI) of the ICAO SARPS, to above the
international benchmark of 60%.
Q: What activities do you enjoy outside of work?
A: I have an interest in organising Air Shows. Attracting people to a spectacular aviation
experience and ensuring safety and at the same time, whilst acting as Flight Director.
We thank JP for his time and wish him all the best in his future professional endeavours!
