Editorial Comment March 2009
May I take this opportunity to wish all readers of African Pilot a peaceful and prosperous new year. With the publication of this edition of African Pilot, the magazine is entering its eighth year. During the past seven years this monthly specialist aviation magazine has matured to become one of the leading publications of its kind in Africa. I would like to thank our loyal advertisers who have supported the publication all these years as well as to our readers who have made African Pilot successful. Even in these difficult economic times, my team hopes to bring you during the year ahead, news that is factual, articles that are entertaining and pictures of superior quality. For the purpose of understanding more about our readership, we have published a reader questionnaire on the Website: www.africanpilot.co.za which may be completed on line. Included in this edition of African Pilot is your very own A2 wall calendar which contains the dates of scheduled aviation events already planned for 2009. Our 13 leaf executive aviation wall calendar is available from our offices at a price of R90 each excluding packaging and postage. If you are interested in obtaining a copy please e-mail: subscribe@africanpilot.co.za. This edition contains a survey on South African Air Force types which has been compiled with the assistance of Brigadier General Tersia Jacobs, Major General H.T. Paine and Major James du Toit. I thank them greatly for their help. African Pilot has enjoyed an outstanding relationship with the SAAF over the past seven years, which I am confident, will continue long into the future.
INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION DAY - WHY WAS IT CANCELLED?
International Civil Aviation Day is celebrated world wide on 7 December. It therefore came as a great shock to find out that the event planned for Bloemfontein had been cancelled at short notice. Originally it was reported that about 3 000 school children from all over the Free State were to be transported in buses to the show. I expect they and their teachers would have been very disappointed at the cancellation. What is particularly disturbing is the fact that this event was planned as a joint effort between the SA CAA, ACSA, ATNS, Dept. of Transport, Department of Education and the SAAF without even considering Civil Aviation. The question being asked is why after spending considerable sums of money planning this event was it cancelled, and secondly why bodies such as the Aero Club of South Africa and the Commercial Aviation of South Africa as well as other civil aviation bodies were not consulted or involved? Clearly the organisers do not understand the definition of 'Civil Aviation' and they have once again wasted vast amounts of money that could have been better spent promoting aviation to historically disadvantaged people. This type of event should be planned months in advance and all stake holders should be consulted if it is to succeed. In addition, the event by its very name should be planned at a civilian airfield which has good access and security for people to be exposed to the freedom of flight.
FORMATION OF RECREATIONAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (RAASA)
I received several e-mails and phone calls regarding my note in an African Pilot newsletter that the Soaring Society of South Africa elected not to become part of the newly promulgated aviation body specifically tasked to deal with the administrative matters of recreational aviation in South Africa. Please refer to page 46 of this edition.
There has been more than enough time to iron out the various 'problems' that the SSSA have with being managed by RAASA instead of the SA CAA as far as oversight is concerned. It makes perfect sense to incorporate ALL forms of recreational aviation under one umbrella that understands the 'lighter side' of flight. To this effect fees charged by RAASA will definitely be contained instead of the spiralling cost increases that the SA CAA charges, which are set to escalate again in the near future.
We are all aware of the past problems of trying to obtain 'build numbers' from the SA CAA, licensing issues, ARO issues and a general lack of care for pilots who fly light sport aircraft including gliders.
This situation presented an excellent opportunity for nearly all Aero Club sections to unite against the tyranny of certain elements within the regulator for the purposes of self regulation in an orderly way. I cannot see one possible gain for the SSSA to remain outside RAASA. At least by becoming part of the body, the members of the SSSA can become part of their own regulatory body over which they have direct control. Fundamentally nothing will change, except the containment of fees, improved service for members, easier licensing, more direct access to regulations, airspace issues will be managed swiftly, weather reporting issues will be managed correctly and charged for accordingly as well as a whole host of other advantages.
As a consultant and aviation publisher, I would prefer to be part of the solution than to continue bickering around non-existent problems. Change is inevitable and it is the manner in which we accept change to best suit our individual needs that is important for the membership of the Aero Club of South Africa. I sincerely hope that the SSSA will soon see the advantages of selfregulation and decide to join RAASA where the members will receive the full benefits of the newly formed body to regulate sport and recreational aviation in our country.
Athol Franz
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