LAM Teaches Vocational Classes

Fascinated by airplanes since childhood, being a pilot was the ultimate dream. Son of a father with a basic aviation course and a brother who shared the same dream, conversations around the dinner table were always about airplanes. There was no other choice for Rogério Pinhal, who is now a pilot for LAM. “There was no room to think about any other profession,” he revealed.

The journey began at age 17 when he enrolled in aviation school. Over several months, he armed himself - and continues to do so - with theoretical knowledge so that when his turn came to enter the airplane cabin, he wouldn’t face significant difficulties. After gaining hours of flight, practical work began with MEX as a co-pilot of the Embraer 120, a 30- seat aircraft, with experienced pilots like Carlos da Costa, who had over 30,000 flight hours. “I only had 300 hours. It was a phase where I learned a lot.”

He joined LAM in 2014 as a Q400 co-pilot, then transitioned to the Embraer 190, also as a co-pilot. He later returned to the Q400 as a captain. Many years after taking the first step towards a dream that can now be ticked off the list of achievements, he stood before several students at the International School in Maputo to help them lay the foundation for their dreams in what is known as vocational classes. “You have to enjoy it. Enjoying it will make your path a little easier,” he said.

Aware that they don’t have opportunities like this every day, the students ask questions and eagerly experience what it’s like to be pilots with the simulators that put them in the air. “You have to be disciplined. Exams must have a minimum grade of 75%.

Aviation demands responsibility and dedication,” he points out, reminding them that the number of flight hours plays a role in entrusting a pilot with the aircraft’s cockpit. Axelle Tamele, 16 years old, was one of the students present at this vocational lecture. She said she never understood much about aviation. “But it was interesting to understand how it works, the path one must take to become a pilot,” she said.

Marco Ferreira, 14 years old, another student, dreams of being a manager in the transportation business, but found the engineering aspect more interesting. “You have to study a lot. I think it’s a challenging job, but it’s worth it,” he said. Only the future will tell how much.

 “Aviation demands responsibility and dedication”, Rogério Pinhal.

Maputo, 4th of October 2023