Yes, the Huey saga continue's.
One can only but wonder when it's all going to end?
The SACAA allowed the Huey to fly unhindered for 13 months. No problem. They certified it for flight, they issued the CofA, they condoned the operation, and then suddenly, boom, they decide the Huey is now a danger to society, its unsafe, its unairworthy etc.
This helicopter, has flown in excess of 600 hours in the last 16 months, transported more than 6000 people safely, and to date has not injured or killed anyone.
So one can only but wonder what the agenda is? Gary has appeared in the local magistrate's Court for the last 3 days, charged criminally for "allegedly denying authorized officers access to his premises" in terms of Part 185 of the CARS, and operating the Huey in violation of an alleged "grounding order" issued by the CAA on January 7, 2004. This grounding order was issued the day after Gary denied the said officers access to his premises, and this denial of access, is the reason for the grounding. (Wonder what denial of access has to do with flight safety?)
This grounding order, is in contradiction to a High Court order granted in favour of the Huey Club, authorizing them to operate the Huey. Gary has thus followed the High Court order, and continued to operate the Huey.
Since the "unusual or irregular grounding order" of January 7th, the helicopter has flown an average of 30 hours per month. The CAA was at all times aware that the Huey was being flown. At no time whatsoever, did they do anything to stop it. They did not approach the High Court to contest the order ruled against them with costs during December of 2003, neither did they approach the High Court with an urgent application to ground the Huey due to unairworthiness, but instead joined the Waterfront Company in a High Court application in an attempt to ban the Huey from the Waterfront, which they lost with costs. They appealed, which they also lost with costs.
Now the Supreme Court of South Africa is none other than an independent, unbiased medium that has a mandate from the Government to dispense law. In other words, the High Court must determine or distinguish between what is right and wrong, and not take sides. Well, the rulings of the High Court in these matters were clear. The other parties were wrong, and the Huey party was right. End of story!
The CAA then decided to take on Gary and the Huey in the criminal court. Its such a pity. Instead of sitting round the table with the intent of finding suitable solutions, the CAA, as the regulatory authority, have decided not to engage in any dialogue with Gary, but to rather charge him criminally, with the hope that they can get him jailed, as he is a menace to society, a danger to the public, and most certainly a severe critic of the bureaucratic inefficiencies of the SACAA, which they don't like, and if they can get him removed from society, then the Huey won't fly. Dinkum, this is the mentality here.
One would have thought that by now, 10 years into the new democracy, this sort of behavior would have come to an end, but it is clear that old habits die hard. One upmanship, big ego's, the lack of reasonable judgement and the likes, have clearly spilled over from the actions of the old DCA to the "new" CAA. No wonder the SACAA is currently so dysfunctional.
"If you don't do as we tell you, we will ride you until your back is broken". We will haunt you, and ultimately destroy you."
It is due to this sort of mentality, that aviation is going backwards in this country, and people are afraid to speak out, in fear of reprisal. "Mmmmm, so you're the guy that critisized the CAA huh? Mmmmm, bad news for you mate, you've just failed your renewal test. Sorry!"
Do we really have to put up with this sort of immature behaviour? Believe you me, it happens!
We are all waiting in anticipation, to see which way the Cat or is it the CARS, are going to jump next.
Rumour also has it that they will be coming after me next.
Viva freedom of speech, Viva