Elimination exercise
When studying for the JAA writtens, I did wonder if the whole exercise was to eliminate a percentage of the candidates. Got through them but wouldn't like to repeat the exercise. Its a particular shock to the system if you've been out of the studying enviroment for some time.
The FAA obviously has a system that works for them. I assume the SA side would have to go through many hoops to get FAA approved and this would include the quality of oversight. Now here comes the problem.... Having spent most of my life in Africa & SA with its own unique political issues is certainly going to make for fun and games when the FAA pulls rank due due to non performance or non suitability of individuals tasked with local oversight. The FAA deal would not be all roses for local officials. Perhaps good a good thing. However its a bit like giving the Zimbabwean reserve bank the right to print SA rand and just letting them get on with it. Me thinks not..!!