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"The cost of corruption is four-fold: political, economic, social, and environmental. Corruption constitutes a major obstacle to democracy and the rule of law. In a democratic system, offices and institutions lose their legitimacy when they are misused for private advantage and more so in an emerging democracy. Accountable political and military leadership cannot develop in a corrupt climate. Corruption thrives where temptation coexists with permissiveness." Snoopy 7 from AVCOM
African Pilot January sell out!
Although final magazine sales figures are not yet available, we have had many reports of the January edition selling out completely in several South African cities. For this reason we will be increasing the print order for our March edition by a further 500 to 10 000 units, making African Pilot the largest distributed specialist aviation magazine in southern Africa. Due to the inclusion of the Aviation Services Guide as a free supplement in our February edition, we also expect a sell out of this edition. If you are not able to find African Pilot in your regular retail store, please e-mail us at info@africanpilot.co.za and we can post the current edition at a cost of R25 each or back editions at a cost of R15 each including postage within South Africa only. However, the certain method of ensuring your copy of African Pilot each month is to subscribe by completing the subscription form contained within every edition, or visiting our Website: www.africanpilot.co.za. Subscriptions still remain at R220 this year for 12 editions including postage in South Africa - you save R80 on the retail price. All other countries are US $100 or UK £55 which also includes postage.
Our March edition
The March edition of African Pilot will contain a balanced and accurate report on the Al Ain Airshow in the UAE with superb, high resolution photography by Frans Dely and Athol Franz. This will be worth waiting for as we will be providing 12 to 14 pages on this momentous event, being one of the first in which South African teams participated in the international arena. African Pilot always strives to provide South African and international readers with the very best in journalism as well as some of the best photography available in the world today.
Aviation Service Guide
The South African Aviation Industry has a new Aviation Services Guide which will have far reaching effects during the course of this year. As expected, African Pilot has once again delivered an Aviation Service Guide on time as well as exceeding the quality specification as promised to our advertisers. We would like to thank the many business that supported this - our second Aviation Services Guide â€â€œ now bigger, better and more comprehensive than before. Altogether 10 000 Service Guides were distributed together with the February edition of African Pilot, to all advertisers and to key decision makers within South African aviation. Our team has made the decision that the 2007 Aviation Service Guide will be launched together with our January edition next year, therefore our marketing team will start with the project a month earlier than this past year. Reservations will open in July and close at the end of November so that the printing can be managed during December 2006. We would welcome feedback from our readers as well as any person in the industry in order to provide an ever improving service to South African aviation.
Reader survey in AP's February edition
This edition also contains a reader's survey which can be filled in and faxed to (011) 468 2637 or completed on line on our Website: www.africanpilot.co.za. This will be a most scientific and comprehensive aviation readership survey. We would greatly appreciate your cooperation in this regard as this will give us a guide to understanding the industry needs more realistically. African Pilot has always welcomed constructive criticism, even if this goes against our established editorial policies. No personal identification is necessary, but if you feel strongly about a subject or issue, please let us have your contact details so that we can follow up your concerns.
Looking for a replacement Cessna 172
African Pilot has started the search for an aircraft to replace ZS FJS which was written off after the disastrous accident in October last year. Ideally the replacement aircraft will be a Hawk XP with an O-360 180 hp engine in reasonable condition. During the past few weeks I have looked at several aircraft on the market, but I have been disappointed in the general condition of what is being offered. It is particularly disturbing when an agent considers the interior to be 10 out of 10 (actually 3 out of 10) or the fuselage to be 10 out of 10 (actually 4 out of 10). Gentlemen, a brand new or recently refurbished aircraft will score 10 out of 10. Please be realistic when making offers, as an engine that is already at half life is not five out of ten, because the best half life has already been used and it is well known that the second half life will be the more costly to maintain. Such an engine will only score four out of ten at best.
Should I not be able to find a suitable Cessna 172 XP in South Africa, I am perfectly happy to import one from the USA where they are considerably cheaper and often in better condition than South African aircraft. Even with the addition of importation costs, dismantling and re-assembly, insurance, import certificate of airworthiness etc. at US$1 to R6 this is probably the only way to source a replacement aircraft. Unfortunately most used Cessna 172s on offer in the local market are overpriced for the condition with dated original panel equipment installed. If you have any suggestions please contact Athol Franz at African Pilot: +27 (0)11 702 2342/3 or e-mail: info@africanpilot.co.za with suitable details. Thank you.
Training Supplement â€â€œ Win a free PPL â€â€œ JUNE 2006
African Pilot's next supplement will feature all types of pilot training in South Africa and is scheduled for publication together with our June edition. This supplement will feature a first prize of a PPL worth R38 000 to one winner who will train at his/her flying school of choice providing that particular school participates in the supplement. Valuable second and third prizes will also be provided through the aviation industry. The concept has been extensively discussed with the owners and directors of some of South Africa's prominent flying schools, all of whom have accepted the idea with enthusiasm. Although the competition will be launched in June, the selection process will take place during November and the winner announced in December this year. The winner of this competition will have his/her training monitored by African Pilot by means of regular reports from the flying school selected and this information will form the basis of regular articles in African Pilot through the first six months of 2007. Depending on participation levels and the overall success of this project, African Pilot will make this an annual feature.
Important information about this supplement
- Size A4 in the portrait view, 52 pages including covers, printed to the same high standards as our monthly magazine and packaged together with African Pilot
- As with ALL African Pilot covers, the front cover is not for sale to any advertiser since we believe this compromises the integrity of the publication
- The front cover picture will reflect a composite photo depicting training with no specific branding or aircraft registrations
- Back cover and inside front cover positions will not be sold to any flying training institution, but will be offered to corporate advertisers within aviation
- The supplement will include basic information on training aircraft types as well as average costs for training on the particular category of aircraft
- Short chapters on the psychological, intellectual and medical requirements for student pilots will be included up front
- Prices for the placing of advertisements in this supplement are in line with our normal magazine pricing structure available on our Website: www.africanpilot.co.za
- Marketing will start within the coming weeks, therefore providing ample time for flying schools to get their information to African Pilot
- Interested? Please call André at our offices (011) 702 2342 / 3 for further information or e-mail:info@africanpilot.co.za
SAA has a new Corporate Communications boss
In what has been seen as a most welcome development by the media, SAA has appointed Jacqui O' Sullivan, previously with ACSA, to the important position of Head of Corporate Communications for the airline. During the past few years SAA's media relationships have reached an all time low mainly due to poor corporate governance within this most important part of management. In what is widely seen as an effort to turn this deteriorating situation around, the airline has taken the positive step of providing Ms. O' Sullivan with far reaching responsibilities. Having previously worked with Ms. O' Sullivan in her position at ACSA, many of the media present at her introduction brunch expressed their delight at her appointment.
Aero Club, representing NTCAs meeting with the SA CAA
Pilots who operate Non Type Certified Aircraft (NTCA) attended a meeting that was facilitated by the Aero Club of South Africa on Thursday 26 January. About sixty delegates attended this most successful meeting, but there probably would have been more attendees had the owners of the venue, SASCOC provided adequate directions. Apologies have been made for the inconvenience caused. Proceedings were seriously delayed due to the fact that a highly stressed Commissioner for Civil Aviation, Seboseco Machobane, arrived nearly one and a half hours late.
Cor Beek presented the background to the NTCA proposed regulations during the time period when the audience was waiting for the Commissioner to arrive; therefore not too much time was wasted. Aero Club Chairman, Stan Oliver, made the barbed comment to the Commissioner that dealing with the current SA CAA was rather like "boxing with a cloud." It is the opinion of some that the Commissioner is out of his depth and was supposed to be on sick leave because he is so stressed. The delegates received the assurance that a CEO to the SA CAA would be appointed "within a few weeks" to relieve him of some of the executive re-usability he is also carrying. However, the lack of capacity in CAA is the centre of all South African aviation regulatory problems and the obvious solution remains for GA to get its act together and self regulate.
Before reporting further on proceedings it is important to understand the role of ICAO with regard to discussions that took place, because it would appear that the SA CAA does not clearly understand the role of ICAO, specifically with regard to NTCAs. The following comes directly from ICAO's website:
ICAO is an international aviation organisation, a UN specialised agency and the global forum for civil aviation. The USA is listed as a member of ICAO.
ICAO works to achieve its vision of safe, secure and sustainable development of civil aviation through cooperation amongst its member States. To implement this vision, the Organization has established the following strategic objectives for the period 2005-2010:
- Safety - Enhance global civil aviation safety
- Security - Enhance global civil aviation security
- Environmental Protection - Minimize the adverse effects of global civil aviation on the environment
- Efficiency - Enhance the efficiency of aviation operations
- Continuity - Maintain the continuity of aviation operations
- Rule of law â€â€œ Strengthen law governing international civil aviation
Clearly ICAO standards do not address issues related to NTCA airworthiness but relate to the operational business of airlines. The SA CAA is attempting to place restrictions on NTCA aircraft as a â€Ëœone rule fits all' without having fully understood the diversity of this broad category which includes every type from weight-shift microlights to the powerful jets of Thunder City. It is the opinion of many of the delegates, who now have a better understanding of the discussion document, that this issue is entirely directed at an attempt to close down one Cape Town waterfront Huey operation.
Aero Club's comment â€â€œ from Neil de Lange
"The Commissioner was clear as to the challenges facing the SA CAA. These include the lack of capacity in certain areas such as legal interpretation of the rules by the inspectors and operations personnel, the lack of guidance material for certain processes, the shortage in enforcement sections and the general understanding of the constitution of the NTCA world. The Commissioner responded well to questions from the floor, which were put forward by senior, well qualified Approved Persons, manufacturers, operators, lawyers and the media. The meeting had the effect that the Commissioner is more aware of the impact that the so called Discussion Document had on this industry, and will rethink the implementation of some of these policies."
It appears that 55% of aircraft on the SA register are NTCAs with more kit aircraft being added to the register every month. It is important for the owners of NTCA aircraft to become aware of the restrictions that may become applicable if they do not stand together on this issue. A full and proper understanding of the discussion document is essential so that the Aero Club can represent ALL members on the implications of the proposed restrictions. This issue goes to the very root of every pilot's constitutional right for the â€Ëœfreedom of flight,' which is precisely the reality of how the Aero Club represents general aviation and all its sectors.
In the USA lobbying groups like the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA) have considerable lobbying leverage simply because they represent the majority of general aviation persons. Sadly in South Africa, AOPA only represents a limited group of pilots and the EAA concentrates its efforts on â€Ëœhome builders'. However, the Aero Club of South Africa already has a considerable following that is growing each month. There has never been a more important time to sign up and join one of the sections of the Aero Club where your interests will be represented. The EAA is an important section of the Aero Club that represents many operators of NTCAs and their executive was very well represented at this meeting. Other sections like the Microlight Association, Soaring Society, Air Show South Africa, Power Flying and the Home Builders Association were all represented.
"Aviation Action Africa" takes to the air on Supersport on 13 February
A brand new, fast-flowing television programme, "Aviation Action Africa" takes to the air on Supersport 2 a
Sasol, producers of semi-synthetic A1 jet fuel, and sponsors of the Sasol Tiger team, the ASSA Airtainment tour (along with WesBank) and the Sasol Rand Jozi Air Show at Rand Airport (15 May) are working with ASSA to increase the awareness and profile of aerobatic sport in this country. The show will be aired on Supersport, available throughout South Africa, many countries up to North Africa and to viewers as far as the Middle East who have access to the Supersport bouquet on the second Monday of each month, with up to five repeats during each month. The full February schedule is available below.
In the "premier" programme on 13 February, the ultra-quick Castrol Xtreme jet car of Johan Jacobs racing against an Impala jet, a unique attraction at air shows in this country, will be featured. "Team South Africa", made up of the three Sasol Tiger Formation jets, the two Mazda Zoom-Zoom Zlins, Port Elizabeth-based Stu Davidson's Boeing Stearman wing-walking (Bernice Esther Joyce) and 23-year old Patrick Davidson and his Extra 300, recently attended the Al Ain International Air Show in the United Arab Emirates, where they impressed against very professional international aerobatic acts.
The massive logistical operation, in two Illusion transport aircraft, and the teams' wonderful displays at Al Ain will be prominently covered in this first episode of "Aviation Action Africa".
There will also be highlights of last December's Ysterplaat Air Show in Cape Town, plus an inside look at "Siyandiza", the SA Air Force's project to encourage young South Africans to choose aviation as a career.
A website for the programme, www.aviationaction.co.za , has also been set up to provide advanced information on each month's show content, with a few aviation-oriented prizes up for grabs. During the forthcoming episodes, the likes of the SU 27 Russian Knights, the French L39 Breitling team and many more dynamic, some death-defying, international acts will be featured.
The full broadcast schedule for February is as follows:
Monday 13 February
20:00 SS2
Tuesday 14 February
07:30 SS1
Wednesday 15 February
14:30 SS2 / CSN
Saturday 18 February
05:30 SS2
Tuesday 21 February
21:00 SS1
Thursday 23 February
20:00 SS2
For further information please contact: Peter Wise (Wise Media & Leisure)
Telephone: (011) 326 1550 / 082 560 2375
Aviation Safety Seminar
The South African Civil Aviation Authority invites the aviation industry to participate in the Aviation Safety Seminar. The seminar will take place on 28 February 2006 at Birchwood Hotel. The seminar will start at 09:00 in the morning. It will set safety targets for the next three years. The safety targets will come from the industry through the seminar. We will also devise intervention strategies which will enable us to achieve the targets.
There will be five commissions / break-away sessions during the seminar, namely:
- Training Institutions
- Technical maintenance
- Legal
- Operators
- General Aviation
Kindly indicate which commission you would like to participate in and RSVP to Bongi Mngomezulu on (011) 545 1410, e-mail: mngomezulub@caa.co.za or 083 635 0007
Please respond on or before 20 February 2006.
Issued by: Mr. Gilbert Thwala
Executive Manager: Occurrence Investigations
+ 27 (0)11 545 1410
Vintage & Veteran Fly-in
Dear Vintage Aviation Enthusiasts,
The Sandstone Heritage Trust is putting together their annual display of old time tractors etc, about 10 miles outside Ficksburg on the weekend of 8 to 9 April 2006. As part of their "old-timers" display, they are inviting owners of vintage and veteran aircraft to fly in and be part of the static exhibition. (Tiger Moth, Chipmunk, Bucker, Waco, Dornier, "German" Harvard, etc.) This venue has a decent runway, and Jeff Earle has been appointed as the fly-in coordinator. Anyone interested in participating should contact Jeff Earle on (011) 827 9301 for more detail. Please note that this gathering of aircraft will not conduct flight displays, and that this is a bona fide fly-in.
Kulula.com to offer 3rd African route
South Africa's low fare airline kulula.com announced that it will start offering flights from Jo'burg to Lusaka in Zambia in March this year. This will be the third route into Africa being offered by Kulula after successfully introducing Harare and Windhoek flights last year. Kulula will be offering these new flights in cooperation with Zambian Airways and will be offering fares that are one third of current prices on the route. One way fares to the Zambian capital will start at R599. According to Gidon Novick, Executive Director of Kulula.com: "Once again, we see huge opportunity in Africa to open up markets that have had to put up with high fares for too long. We anticipate seeing rapid growth on the Lusaka route."
Lanseria will be another base for Kulula.com
The airline recently announced that it will be providing flights from Lanseria to Cape Town in order to try and ease the congestion and make a dent in the heavy charges that airlines are forced to accept when utilizing Johannesburg International Airport. Gidon Novick, executive director of Kulula.com believes that "the airline would be able to save 50% on costs levied at JIA, which will be passed on to passengers." The first operations for this new service are expected in March with more routes to be added later in the year.
Aviation humour
C-130 cargo plane vs. F-16 fighter aircraft:
A C-130 was en route on a mission when a cocky F-16 pilot flew up next to him.
The fighter jock told the C-130 pilot, "Watch this!" He went into a barrel roll, followed by a steep climb, then finished with a sonic boom when he reached the speed of sound.
The F-16 pilot asked the C-130 pilot what he thought.
The C-130 pilot responded "That was impressive, but watch this."
The C-130 droned along for about 15 minutes then the 130 pilot came back on and said "What did you think about that?"
The F-16 pilot asked, "What did you do?"
The C-130 pilot responded "I got up, stretched my legs, went to the back poured a cup of coffee and took a leak. Any questions?"
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