"First of Many" AVIATA Foundation's Airport Tours for Kids.

On boxing day 26.12.2022, Aviation Tanzania (AVIATA) through its AVIATA Foundation, hosted it's first aviation awareness event at one of the largest airport in East Africa, Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR).

The event's goal is to create awareness, inspire, and propel aviation careers nationwide by introducing kids and youth to the limitless opportunities available in the aviation industry.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Stanslaus Maganga showing the kids different items during the Hangar Tour

The tour was led by Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Mr. Stanslaus Maganga, fellow engineers Selestine Ntwale and Allan Mishwaro, and Security Personnel Amina.

At 9:00am, the group of students was welcomed at the airport and brought to the Precision Air Services PLC hangar, introductions were carried out and the students proceeded to be shown what the day in the shoes of an aircraft engineer at the hangar is like.

Students were led through orientation and familiarization through the various departments of the hangar where open-ended questions, starting with “Why?” “How?” and “What?” were encouraged. These types of questions encourage full answers, rather than the simple “yes” or “no” response that is usually given to a closed-ended question, thus really maximizing the amount of knowledge you can get. The kids had an opportunity to have a close look at an aircraft that is undergoing maintenance (major check) and hence could see the parts of the aircraft like the cockpit, and the cabin, in detail with explanations given by the engineers.

Mr. Selestine Ntwale explaining the basics of aircraft Engine - PW127M

Explaining the ATR72 Cockpit (Flight deck)

Smart kids taking notes from explanations given by engineer Selestine Ntwale on the ATR72 cockpit

The group was then given a tour of the 3 Terminals of the airport (JNIA) where they got to see the 3 terminal buildings airport facilities, the ramp areas, and different types of aircraft parked at the ramp from the small ones like Cessna to the large ones like Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The kids were also happy to see helicopters parked at the airport.

Kids looking at the Boeing B787 Dreamliner parked at T3 JNIA during the terminal tour.

At terminal II, the kids got to meet one of the Captains of Precision Air, captain Innocent Mboya, and got to hear what life in a day of Airline Captain is like. The captain also advised the kids on what subjects they can take at school if they are aspiring to become future pilots.

Engineer Stanslaus Maganga introducing the group to captain Innocent Mboya.

Captain Innocent Mboya of Precision Air answering questions from the kids

The kids were then taken back to the hangar where lunch was served, a short photo shoot proceeded afterward and the day ended with a game of Questions and answers where winners were awarded treats. And the day ended at 1530hrs.

Aviation Tanzania Foundation (AVIATA Foundation) aims to inspire, motivate and nurture kids and youth into the aviation field, while at the same time entertaining them. In the year 2023, we expect to have more aviation events for the kids and youth. We are working on our calendar of events and it will be shared when ready. Keep on following us through our social media accounts for updates.

Instagram:@aviationtanzania

Twitter:@aviationtanzani

Facebook: @AviationTanzania

Youtube: @AviationTanzania1

Website: https://www.aviationtanzania.net/

Special thanks to Precision Air and Tanzania Airports Authority for facilitation and Collaboration.

See here below more photos of the event: