News
Press release: 3-5-22 New series of Focus Sessions announced
A quarter of a century of experience
AviAssist is the only independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting professionalism in African aviation safety. For over 25 years we have been acting as a catalyst for safety improvements in African aviation: impartial & independent. We are the only regional partner to the renowned Flight Safety Foundation.
We were founded to provide affordable access to world class safety promotion in Africa and that is what we still do today. Always learning, improving and developing. Our BIG vision is a series of three AviAssist Safety Promotion Centres throughout Africa, starting in Rwanda.
Board
Christopher McGregor - ATR
Christopher has spent the majority of his career in Flight Safety and Customer Support roles within aircraft manufacturers. He started his career in aero-engine development from where he grew into aspects of commercial aircraft flight operations, maintenance and safety. His current role and leadership position is that of ATR's flight safety officer.
Kjell Kloosterziel - Schiphol Group
Kjell studied Civil Engineering and joined Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO) in 2001. He lived in Beijing to oversee the design of a new terminal at Beijing Capital Airport. He joined the Royal Schiphol Group from his position as Director of NACO and currently is Director Schiphol International.
Auke Dros - KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Auke joined KLM in 1992 and until recently held the position of Chief Pilot of KLM's Airbus 330 fleet, the KLM fleet that flies into many African destinations. He now serves as Vice President Crew Training at KLM.
Kees Oudendijk
Kees holds the position of board treasurer. He has over 22 years of experience in accountancy, ranging from working at accountancy giant KPMG to being finance consultant in Tanzania’s
tourism industry. He holds a master’s degree
in accountancy from the University of
Amsterdam as well as a private pilot license.
Hellen Ndichu - RwandAir
As RwandAir's director of safety, Hellen provides leadership to the growing airline's safety performance and regional leadership since 2014.
Harriet Angetile
Harriet started off in Electrical Engineering before studying Business Management and later pursued a Master’s in Business Administration. Over the past 25 years, her roles at the Zambia Airports Corporation Ltd. involved oversight on safety, health, environment, and quality. She serves as the airport manager of Zambia's biggest airport, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Frank van de Laar - Aviatify
Frank has spent well over a decade with the KLM as General Manager and Marketing Director and Revenue Manager and in other challenging roles, often in marketing and business development. Frank holds his private pilot license and has passion for aviation technology and serves as a Simulator Test Pilot for a manufacturer of level-D flight simulators.
Team
Tom Kok
Director
Having lived, worked and flown (PPL) in Africa for many years, Tom has gained unique expertise on African aviation safety issues. For well over two decades, Tom has been working to connect African aviation professionals to best safety practices that are essential to their work. Tom studied air law and African studies.
Patrick Bruin
Sales & marketing intern
Patrick is pursuing a master's degree in International Business and Management Studies at the Amsterdam School of International Business, part of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. He works from the offices of Avi Air fresh at Amsterdam Airport on shaping our sales and marketing activities.
Marc Streefland
Website Manager
Provide leadership and strategy for all things web-related. Work cross-functionally across marketing, engineering, and design to optimize the website experience for existing customers and prospects.
Marily Heyster
Senior program manager
As a trained aviation lawyer, Marily lived and worked in Kenya and Dubai over the past 20 years, spending 3 years in the ICAO Regional Office in Nairobi and many years working in various roles related to African aviation.
Idi Maswaure
Quality management
Idi brings well over a decade of experience in African aviation management, safety, quality and compliance to the Foundation.
Cyril Ndegeya
Photojournalist
Cyril is a passionate freelance photojournalist based in Rwanda who specializes in aviation & wildlife. He is a passionate aviation blogger and holds numerous aviation safety & operations certificates. He is a regular photojournalist at aviation events around the globe.
Vacancy
Sales & Marketing manager
Our marketing manager will lead our marketing, sales & communications team and help strengthen our customer relations management.
Simon Prent
E-learning coach
Simon is an E-learning coach responsible for the coding of the course materials in our online learning application and the training of trainers. The position enables Simon to share his knowledge - sharing knowledge is a key motivator for Simon in his professional life.
Hans van Dijkhuizen
Quality management
With a bachelor's degree in aviation engineering and a masters degree in technology, innovation & policy, Hans works as a qualified Six Sigma quality engineer in the transport sector, analyzing & improving business processes. For the Foundation, he works on quality management.
Felicien Izaturwanaho
ASPC-Rwanda Research
As a qualified psychologist from the University of Rwanda, Felicien is currently attached to the ASPC-Rwanda as our research assistant, shaping this third pillar of our safety promotion work in Africa and supporting the Foundation's work.
Capt. Mary Kai
SafetyFocus magazine editorial review board
Capt. Mary Mukulu Kai is an experienced airline captain and manager, with over 7.000 flying hours on various types including Boeing 737, 767 and 777. She currently works as manager flight operations
Vacancy
Fundraiser events
Our fundraiser takes charge of fundraising events that we are planning in Africa and beyond. Think you are ready to help us grow our impact? Get in touch for more information and see how you can help improve African aviation safety.
Alex Mugabo
ASPC-Rwanda trainee
Alex graduated in engineering from the University of Rwanda. Alex has a passion for public works, water resources management, and environmental
sustainability and is dedicated to giving back to the community in all possible ways.
Adrian Young
SafetyFocus magazine editorial review board
Adrian was born in East Africa and has extensive experience in SMS programs within European airlines and in difficult environments as well as projects relating to flight operations, crew training, ground operations aerodrome design & operation and maintenance management.
Our instructors & experts team includes
Alireza Ahmadi
Gwen Dudok van Heel
Jan Huizing
Gloria Kirabo Bitebekezi
Frank Klap
Erik Lely
Wout Ruijs
Patrick Schoenmaker
Jan Smeitink
Jacques Sol
Jan Dirk Steenbergen
Rosanne Blijleven
Philippe Carous
Ralph Overduyn
Martin Griffin
Jaco Bruggeling
Bert Jansen
Lucas van Gerwen
Joeri Rijkeboer
Sjonnie Vagevuur
