Forty (40) year old Joseph Phalwane (Image Attached) is the 5th ATNS Avi Afrique Innovation Summit 2016 Avi Awards winner.
Joseph’s entry was adjudged to have been the best among the eighty (80) submissions received from professional scientists, researchers, university students and high school learners. His winning project – called AeroBuddies – is aimed at creating and/or sparking interest in an entertaining way, in the fields of aviation and aerospace through integrating Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects for learners in all school grades by using flight simulation, aeromodelling, intro flights, rocketry and ballooning.
The Diepkloof, Soweto-born innovator has ten (10) years aviation industry experience. He started as a flight attendant, progressing to becoming a corporate soft skills and leadership trainer. Joseph is now pursuing his childhood dream of becoming a pilot.
The Technology Innovation Agency-sponsored Avi Awards seek to create a platform that will bring in great ideas and assist innovators in turning their innovations into commercially-viable products or services. Secondly, they are aimed at building a pipeline of relevant aviation-related innovation ideas that addresses the challenges faced by the aviation industry. Lastly, improving on existing aviation technologies, service and products.
Since its inception in 2012, the ATNS Avi Afrique Innovation Summit has brought together global Air Navigation Service Providers, civil aviation personnel, researchers and thought leaders, to engage in various topics covering research and development in aviation and aeronautical innovation – among others.
The Summit theme for 2016 is “Aviation innovation for regional integration in Africa, contributing towards economic infrastructure development and social cohesion”.
[Photo: TIA CEO, Barlow Manilal; 2016 Avi Award winner, Joseph Phalwane and ATNS CEO, Thabani Mthiyane ]