The way forward?
Bladestrap, I could not agree more. Given the handling of the Huey in Cape Town, I feel that the way forward is as follows:
1. If you have an intention of getting an aircrew licence at some stage in the future, then it is OK to carry paying passengers now even if your current inadequate licence is totally invalid.
2. Servicing of machines in terms of the current legislation is optional. CAA will assist if you show willingness to do it correctly, one day in the future. (Distant)
3. Approved parts are also optional. Any part vaguely resembling the original with corrected serviceability labels are acceptable.
4. AMO, AOC and other requirements are also at the option of the operator........
The CAA are genuinely trying to assist operators BUT they must remember that it must be within the law. You cannot turn a blind eye to flagrant breaches of the law!
The 'bunch of actors' must ensure that the standards are held high in terms of International norms. Failure to do this will, as predicted elsewhere, result in good operations being trashed internationally because of the association to the SA system.