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â€Å“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; to be treasured, cherished and nurtured through the process of living a productive lifeâ€Â this profound comment is directed to a very special friend, but can also be applied to all our friends.
Entry into the year 2007
On behalf of the African Pilot team, we would like to wish all our readers a very successful 2007 wherein your individual wildest dreams are likely to be realised. We trust you have enjoyed your well-deserved holiday during the shut-down period over the festive season and are looking forward to an exciting year ahead. This will be African Pilotâ€tms sixth year of publishing, a year in which we intend making several substantial changes to African Pilot magazine. As southern Africaâ€tms most popular and widely circulated aviation magazine we need to continually come up with new innovations in order to maintain our lead in the aviation publishing business.
From about March onwards we will be introducing a â€Ëœvirtual magazineâ€tm, which subscribers will be able to download absolutely free. The virtual publication will undergo a testing phase from March to June, after which we expect all challenges with this new publishing concept will have been ironed out. This feature will be in addition to the ten thousand copies we already print at this point in time. Like the United Kingdom and the United States, many niche market magazines have placed the entire publication on the Internet for free downloading in order to provide readers and advertisers a superior level of service.
African Pilot weekly Newsletters
In a policy decision, our team has decided to continue the weekly AP Newsletter, but we are going to make each edition shorter than in the past with only important news items. The idea of the AP Newsletter was to fill the gap between magazines, to actively promote our monthly magazine and to remain in touch with our readership. Important aviation news and announcements should be addressed to info@africanpilot.co.za Thank you.
Job opportunity at AFS Studio (Pty) Ltd
We have a vacancy for a receptionist at the main business that produces African Pilot every month. Located in Beaulieu, Kyalami, AFS Studio is offering an opportunity for an aspiring young person to excel in a comfortable and secure working environment. Requirements are that a suitable person will have an excellent knowledge of computer systems with MS word and other administrative programmes, a good telephone voice, own transport and be self motivated. Preference will be given to someone who will be in a position to start with the business immediately. Interested? Please send CVs to editor@africanpilot.co.za Thank you.Â
Change of postal address
Please note the change of African Pilotâ€tms postal address to:
P.O. Box 30620, Kyalami, 1684, South Africa.
The new post box is located much closer to our business in Beaulieu, Kyalami than the previous Bryanston postal address. Thank you.
Deadline for our February 2007 edition
We have extended the deadline for advertising submissions to our February edition until Tuesday 9 January in order to accommodate the many persons who have been on holiday at this time of the year. If you are interested, please contact either Mark Mansfield of Athol Franz at this time because Travis is busy writing examinations during this week. Telephone: (011) 702 2342/3 or info@africanpilot.co.za Thank you.
African Pilotâ€tms Service Guide to be delayed by one month
In order to accommodate the many late entries received last year, we have decided to delay our annual Service Guide to be included together with our March edition. In future we will plan for the Service Guide to be published in this edition, because the end of year period or â€Ëœsilly seasonâ€tm is rather difficult to pin people down within this industry.
Al Ain Aerobatics Show in UAE
The Al Ain Aerobatics Show, the unique event of its type in the region is organised by UAE Air Force and Air Defence as well as the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, under the patronage of General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces. The show aims to help promote individual achievement, team spirit and goodwill relations between participants from many different countries around the world. The unique event is a testament to the superb relations which UAE has with different countries.
History and Events: The Al Ain Aerobatic Show, one of the most dynamic and spectacular air events in the world, takes place each year in the garden city of United Arab Emirates. The show is aimed at boosting the presence of the UAE in the field of airshow sports at the international level. The first event took place in 2004 and in a very short span gained a world wide reputation as a major aviation sports event. The five day show in 2005 and 2006 attracted massive media attention, and the visitorsâ€tm number in both the airshow exceeded above 120 000 in 2006. The major events of 2005, included the FAI Grand Prix, jumps by the paratroopers, solo display by UAE Mirage 2000-9, free jump by Felix Baumgartner, display by Airbus
A-330, remote control and participation of aerobatic teams from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, India and Russia.
The event of 2006 included participation of world Free Fly team lead by UAE Free Fly team champion, fly past by UAE Air Force (Hawk-102, Mirage 2000-9, F-16), Jet formation teams (Russian Knights, South African Sasol Tigers, Breitling), Propeller teams (Mazda team, Royal Jordanian Falcons), FAI individual aerobatics displays, Rope cutting, Wing Walker display, helicopter display and night display by Hang Glider, Wing Walker and Para motors. Al Ain will be hosting International Aerobatic Championship from 26 to 30 January 2007. The show will be attended by various international aerobatic teams and the stunt pilots from Asia, Europe and the United States. African Pilot has been invited again this year and Mark Mansfield will be attending the airshow on behalf of our magazine.
For further information, please visit the Website: www.alainaerobaticsshow.comÂ
Threatened South African airfields
Our request for information on threatened airfield in South Africa has solicited the following response:
- Vanderbijlpark airfield: the long tar runway now has squatters alongside with piles of rubbish all over the place
- Matatiele: - Squatters and debris
- Hluhluwe: NDB stolen (+-5yrs ago) still in AIP though. If an aircraft is parked overnight it is certain to have fuel stolen
- Ottosdal: Not maintained and almost obliterated by squatters
- Ventersdorp: Not maintained and almost obliterated
- Standerton: Not maintained and overrun by squatters
- Vryheid: Used to have fuel and NDB but no more
- Donaldson Dam: Skydiving Club airfield now overrun by squatters
- Sabie airfield: now overrun by squatters
- South Africa has many old, but superb military airfields that are not being maintained properly: Mkuze, Hells Gate and Zerust are examples
Should you have come across other airfields that have fallen into a state of disrepair, please send this information to: editor@africanpilot.co.za Thank you.
Airfield closures and airspace restrictions
At the Industry Liaison Meeting of 30 November at the SA CAA, General Aviation representatives tabled a request that the SA CAA look into the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism's enforcement of the National Environmental Management Act leading to closure of private airstrips on farmland. The fragmentation of National airspace as a result
of the implementation of the Protected Areas Act was a further aspect, which will require urgent action. It is the contention of industry representatives that the DEAT did not consult properly with all affected stakeholders as the Act requires them to do which lead to an imbalance
between environmental considerations and national development requirements. The SA CAA's positive response to the request filled those present with hope that their further research will facilitate a positive outcome to this issue.
For the SA PFA and AWAC submissions to the SA CAA see:
http://www.awsa.co.za/pdf_files/2006_DEATAirfields_Airspace_restrictions.pdf
ACSA responds to request for exemption from passenger tax
During August 2006 GA representatives submitted a request to ACSA for exemption from passenger taxes in instances where airport terminals were not used. The availability of a GA section, separate from the ACSA facilities, at George and Port Elizabeth airports were cases in point. In summary the argument is that since ACSA had insisted on implementing a "User Pays" billing system GA should not be paying passenger taxes in view if the fact that they were not a "user" of the passenger facilities in the mentioned instances amongst others.
The GA submission can be found at: http://awsa.co.za/pdf_files/2006Aug_Pax_Tax.pdf
and the ACSA reply at:
http://awsa.co.za/pdf_files/2006_10_27_ACSA_Pax_charges.pdf
Certain SAA bosses implicated in sexual harassment
The following was taken from various reports in two Sunday newspapers: Sunday Times and City Press:
Two South African Airways (SAA) managers and one former manager have been implicated on various charges including attempted rape and sexual harassment for allegedly imposing themselves on subordinates. The incidents allegedly took place in boardrooms, offices, car parks and hotels where team-building sessions were being held.
Eric Kumkani, recently suspended as acting general manager of human resources, allegedly forcibly undressed a woman, threw her on a boardroom table at SAAâ€tms corporate offices near OR Tambo Airport and attempted sex. A police officer confirmed that a case of attempted rape was being investigated by police at the airport. A case of sexual harassment was opened against Moagi Molebatsi who resigned as SAA general manager of marketing before a disciplinary hearing was heard. The woman involved has reportedly instructed her attorneys to sue SAA. In the third incident Alfred Mahlangu, general manager of flight operations, allegedly forcibly kissed and imposed himself on a cabin crew relationship manager. A disciplinary hearing will be held on Monday 8 January 2007. The woman involved said that Mahlangu had made unwelcome advances for nine months and had forced his way into her room at a team-building weekend.
Spokes person for SAA, Jacqui O'Sullivan confirmed the three cases. I wouldnâ€tmt want her job right now for all the explaining she will have to do to the media. It is such a shame that when certain persons are given the opportunity to become managerial staff within empowerment structures of the national airline, that they abuse their responsibility so blatantly. This is not the first time that SAA has promoted persons to positions where the individuals concerned are clearly not capable of holding down the responsibilities of their job descriptions. Â
Aviation Humour â€â€œ a little Christmas cheer!
Jack wakes up with a huge hangover after attending his company's Christmas Party. Jack is not normally a drinker, but the drinks didn't taste like alcohol at all. He didn't even remember how he got home from the party. As bad as he was feeling, he wondered if he did something wrong. Jack had to force himself to open his eyes, and the first thing he sees is a couple of aspirins next to a glass of water on the side table.
And, next to them, a single red rose! Jack sits up and sees his clothing in front of him, all clean and pressed. He looks around the room and sees that it is in perfect order, spotlessly clean. So is the rest of the house. He takes the aspirins, cringes when he sees a huge black eye staring back at him in the bathroom mirror.
Then he notices a note hanging on the corner of the mirror written in red with little hearts on it and a kiss mark from his wife in lipstick: "Honey, breakfast is on the stove, I left early to get groceries to make you your favourite dinner tonight. I love you, darling! Love, Gillian"
He stumbles to the kitchen and sure enough, there is hot breakfast, steaming hot coffee and the morning newspaper. His son is also at the table, eating. Jack asks, "Son... what happened last night?" "Well, you came home after 3 A.M., drunk and out of your mind. You fell over the coffee table and broke it, and then you puked in the hallway, and got that black eye when you ran into the door." Confused he asked his son, "So, why is everything in such perfect order
and so clean? I have a rose, and breakfast is on the table waiting for me??"
His son replies, "Oh THAT!... Mom dragged you to the bedroom, and when she tried to take your pants off, you screamed, "Leave me alone, lady, I'm married!"
African Pilot weekly newsletters
Should you happen to miss out on an African Pilot newsletter please visit our Website: www.africanpilot.co.za, and click on the Newsletters icon on the front page because all AP newsletters are archived on the Website.
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