Dr Brian Suckling
Dr Brian Suckling
Retired Capt. (SAA) Member: Board of Advisors, Flying Jurist Team
CNA 2
Aviation
Dr Suckling completed his second doctorate in 2025 with the University of South Africa, under the supervision of Prof Angelo Dube. In addition he holds the following qualifications: B.Iuris (UNISA), MBA (Henley Management College UK), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) (University KwaZulu-Natal), LLB (UNISA), LLM (UNISA) and of course the recent LLD from UNISA. He has under his cap several ICAO, IFALPA and IATA courses that further enhance his expertise in aviation.
Dr Suckling is a pilot with vast experience, having started his career within the South Africa Airforce where he served as Fast jet Mirage pilot specialising in formation aerobatics, low level photo reconnaissance and airspace coordination with civil authorities (1967 – 1971). Armed with an Airline Transportation Licence (ATPL), Dr Suckling flew the flag at South African Airways as a Captain (1972 to 2012). His experience includes:
Airline Captain on all the Boeing 737 and Boeing 747 fleets, including the Airbus A340 and 319/320. Management Standards Captain on all the Boeing 737 and Boeing 747 fleets including the Airbus A320/319 fleet. Specialising within the airline on International Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), standards and regulatory compliance. Boeing 737 Fleet Captain based in Durban. Accumulated 23,500 flying hours in SAA.
His areas of expertise include aviation, business development, litigation and legal consultancy. He comes with 54 years of experience in aviation with a strong understanding of regulatory issues, flight safety and environmental consideration. His vast catalogues of extensive academic qualifications facilitate personnel and change management, business development and entrepreneurship, including Board management experience as a non-executive director with a major regulator and pension fund.