By Veronica Mrema
Every time I board an aircraft, settle into my seat and fasten my seatbelt, my thoughts travel far beyond the journey ahead.
It is a journey that often leaves me asking one fundamental question: Who ensures that the aircraft I am travelling on takes off safely, flies smoothly through the skies, and lands safely at its destination?
Perhaps I am not alone. Millions of people around the world rely on air transport every year, yet very few understand what happens behind the scenes to guarantee their safety.
"I have travelled by air several times. I know it is one of the safest and most reliable means of transport, but I often wonder who exactly makes sure everything goes according to plan until we arrive safely,"
.., says Abel Mathias, a resident of Tabata in Dar es Salaam, during an exclusive interview with M24 TANZANIA.
Belinda Karia, a resident of Mikocheni, shares a similar view. While she enjoys the convenience of air travel, she believes that most passengers know very little about the enormous amount of work carried out behind the scenes.
"We enjoy flying because it is fast and allows us to reach our destinations quickly without the exhaustion associated with long road journeys.
"But most of us only know the pilots and the cabin crew who serve us during the flight," she says.
Inspired by their observations, I headed to Aviation House, home of the Civil Aviation Training Centre (CATC).
One question guided my visit: Who really safeguards passengers behind every successful flight, and where does Tanzania stand today in building aviation expertise as it embarks on Vision 2025–2050?
What I discovered opened the door to a world that most passengers never see.
Behind every successful flight is a vast network of professionals working around the clock.
These experts, although largely invisible to passengers, work closely with those we see every day to ensure Tanzania's skies remain safe.
They include air traffic controllers, air navigation systems engineers, aeronautical information specialists, aviation safety inspectors and many other highly trained professionals.
Working together with remarkable precision, they ensure every flight complies with internationally recognized safety standards.
In an exclusive interview, CATC Head of Training, Didacus Mweya, explains that these professionals do not emerge by chance.
Instead, they are produced through a structured training system that continuously evolves alongside advances in technology and the changing demands of the global aviation industry.
At CATC, professionals are trained using specialized programmes supported by modern technology and significant government investment.
Operating under the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority [TCAA], CATC has spent more than four decades developing highly skilled aviation professionals for Tanzania and across Africa.
The institution has become instrumental in strengthening aviation safety while supporting Tanzania's broader economic growth.
Established in 1985 by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, CATC was created to build national capacity in Air Navigation Services training.
Before its establishment, Tanzania relied heavily on overseas training programmes, an approach that was both expensive and time-consuming.
"The institution was established primarily to increase the number of professionals working in air navigation services," says Mweya.
"Today, we continue to grow alongside technological advancement and the evolving needs of the global aviation industry."
STRATEGIC AREAS
CATC specializes in three major aviation disciplines. The first is Air Traffic Control, where professionals communicate directly with pilots to ensure aircraft take off, fly and land safely.
The second is Aeronautical Information Services, where specialists collect, process and distribute critical information used by pilots before every flight, including weather reports, aeronautical charts and other operational safety information.
The third is Air Navigation Engineering, which focuses on maintaining radar systems and other sophisticated technologies that enable aircraft to be safely guided from one location to another.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, CATC has steadily expanded its academic portfolio.
"Today, the institution offers more than 90 courses covering various aviation disciplines," says Mweya.
These include long-term academic programmes, medium-term professional courses and short specialized training sessions designed to strengthen the skills of serving professionals while preparing new entrants for employment.
A CONTINENTAL LEADER
The quality of CATC's training has earned international recognition. "The institution is accredited by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)," Mweya explains.
"It is also among the recognized aviation security training centres." This recognition has attracted students from more than 19 African countries and beyond.
"Today, Tanzania has become one of Africa's important aviation training centres. "We train Tanzanians, but we also welcome students from many other countries because of the quality of our programmes."
Mweya notes that before CATC was established, many Tanzanian air traffic controllers had to study at the East African School of Aviation in Kenya at considerable expense.
The establishment of CATC has significantly reduced foreign training costs while enabling Tanzania to develop its own professionals using state-of-the-art technology.
Beyond conventional aviation programmes, CATC has embraced emerging technologies by introducing specialized training in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones), a rapidly growing field worldwide.
Mweya says drone technology is increasingly being applied in agriculture, research, photography, environmental management and aerial mapping.
"However, drone operations must comply with aviation regulations to protect both aircraft and passengers.
"A drone may appear small, but if operated irresponsibly it can cause serious accidents. "That is why we have developed specialized courses to educate users on safe airspace operations."
CATC also offers advanced courses in aerial surveying, aerial mapping and other professional drone applications, creating new employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people.
The institution's contribution extends beyond Tanzania. Mweya says several African countries continue to rely on CATC for human resource development in aviation.
"For example, many air traffic controllers from Burundi have received their training in Tanzania, demonstrating our country's growing role in strengthening regional aviation capacity."
OPPORTINITIES FOR YOUTH
According to Mweya, Tanzania's aviation sector still offers enormous opportunities that many young people have yet to recognize. Many assume aviation careers are limited to becoming pilots.
In reality, the industry requires professionals in air traffic control, aeronautical information services, aviation safety, engineering, airport ground operations, drone management and many other specialized fields.
"CATC does not offer pilot training.
"However, we provide numerous programmes that prepare young people for employment across the aviation industry, and we have reduced training costs to make them more affordable for Tanzanians."
As Tanzania continues expanding airports, increasing air connectivity and investing in tourism and the blue economy, demand for aviation professionals is expected to rise steadily.
Within this context, CATC remains a strategic pillar not only in developing modern aviation infrastructure,
But also in producing highly competent professionals capable of managing one of the country's most critical transport sectors according to internationally recognized standards and in line with Tanzania's Vision 2025–2050.
Behind every aircraft that flies safely through Tanzania's skies lies a story of sustained investment in education, technology and people.
Chapisha Maoni