Decreasing SAAF standards ?
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Decreasing SAAF standards ?
FF+ says air force pilots aren't being trained properly
Cape Town, South Africa
06 August 2005 09:21
The Freedom Front Plus has raised concerns about falling standards in the training of pilots in the South African Air Force, saying this may lead to accidents.
The South African Air Force is currently training 131 pilots to reinforce 31 operational fliers, the Minister of Defence replied in answer to a question from the party in Parliament.
"The Minister of Defence, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota, says the air force currently has thirty operational pilots. Of these 26 are white men, one is a white woman, and three are black men," party defence spokesperson Pieter Groenewald said in a statement.
"It is encouraging to hear that 131 trainee pilots are being trained in view of the purchase of the new Gripen fighter jets. There is however some concern about the training standards. There is also some concern as to whether the present budget has provided for the retention of the current number of pilots in the air force", Groenewald said.
"Earlier the minister said trainee pilots are allowed to fail all their exams and to fail two repeat exams. Previously trainee pilots were allowed to only fail three subjects and then to pass a repeat exam with a pass mark of 60%, failing which, they were
removed from the course. Trainee pilots are now allowed to fail all of their subjects and to rewrite their exams having to obtain 40% as a pass mark. This lowers training standards which could result in accidents occurring. Trained pilots are in demand in the private sector and should receive professional compensation to be
retained for the air force", Groenewald said.
According to Lekota, 26 of the 131 trainee pilots are white men, six are white women, 68 are black men, four are black women, 12 are Coloured men, two are Coloured women and three are Indian women. - Sapa
having to obtain 40% as a passmark
Cape Town, South Africa
06 August 2005 09:21
The Freedom Front Plus has raised concerns about falling standards in the training of pilots in the South African Air Force, saying this may lead to accidents.
The South African Air Force is currently training 131 pilots to reinforce 31 operational fliers, the Minister of Defence replied in answer to a question from the party in Parliament.
"The Minister of Defence, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota, says the air force currently has thirty operational pilots. Of these 26 are white men, one is a white woman, and three are black men," party defence spokesperson Pieter Groenewald said in a statement.
"It is encouraging to hear that 131 trainee pilots are being trained in view of the purchase of the new Gripen fighter jets. There is however some concern about the training standards. There is also some concern as to whether the present budget has provided for the retention of the current number of pilots in the air force", Groenewald said.
"Earlier the minister said trainee pilots are allowed to fail all their exams and to fail two repeat exams. Previously trainee pilots were allowed to only fail three subjects and then to pass a repeat exam with a pass mark of 60%, failing which, they were
removed from the course. Trainee pilots are now allowed to fail all of their subjects and to rewrite their exams having to obtain 40% as a pass mark. This lowers training standards which could result in accidents occurring. Trained pilots are in demand in the private sector and should receive professional compensation to be
retained for the air force", Groenewald said.
According to Lekota, 26 of the 131 trainee pilots are white men, six are white women, 68 are black men, four are black women, 12 are Coloured men, two are Coloured women and three are Indian women. - Sapa
having to obtain 40% as a passmark
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Is this a joke....
At least they won't get into the private sector as they will not be able to pass a basic comm exam....
OOPS....
I forgot, this is South Africa were talking about, they will probably be given plastic comm's by SACAA and then be given jobs by SAA...
It's only tax payer's money...
OOPS....
I forgot, this is South Africa were talking about, they will probably be given plastic comm's by SACAA and then be given jobs by SAA...
It's only tax payer's money...
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Lets get the facts straight..
With reagrd to the CPL exams, you can apply for a CPL subjects exemption. In 99% of the cases, you still have to write Air Law, and if you have got less than +- 150 hrs on Pistons, then AT&G as well... To qualify for the exemption you also have to have about 500 hrs...
And with regards to the 20/30 odd operational pilots.... I presume they are talking about fighter pilots, current and citizen force only... In the transport line alone there are about 60 pilots on all types...
And with regards to the 20/30 odd operational pilots.... I presume they are talking about fighter pilots, current and citizen force only... In the transport line alone there are about 60 pilots on all types...
GunsssR4ever
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Tx Ajax 
As long it is not that silly navigation rubish called plotting ... even Francois Marais do not understand it 
Oeps ... here it comes ...
******* Bang ! ********
As long it is not that silly navigation rubish called plotting ... even Francois Marais do not understand it Oeps ... here it comes ...
******* Bang ! ********
I knew i should have listened in class!"
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Protect our country from what?
They've already cleaned out the war museum while the crims still roam the streets with illegal AKs and anything else you care to name.
Bunch of clowns.....
They've already cleaned out the war museum while the crims still roam the streets with illegal AKs and anything else you care to name.
Bunch of clowns.....
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The gripon's safety record will be shattered !
PS do you think they should be flying over 70000 spectators at a rugby game . like they did during the Tri-nations in Pretoria ???
Geeezzzzzzzz what a high risk
PS do you think they should be flying over 70000 spectators at a rugby game . like they did during the Tri-nations in Pretoria ???
Geeezzzzzzzz what a high risk
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At least in the "appartheid" days the white SAAF "pupes" still had a grade to maintain. There was no "Ag shame he's a good Van Der Merwe lets give him another chance". You either made the grade or you were OUT!
How can any "new" SAAF pilot look him/herself in the mirror and merit the wings on his/her chest?! 40% is a joke. "Boys" if you can't hack the pace you shouldn't be in a cockpit!
Maybe the new wings are only 40% the size of the REAL wings
How can any "new" SAAF pilot look him/herself in the mirror and merit the wings on his/her chest?! 40% is a joke. "Boys" if you can't hack the pace you shouldn't be in a cockpit!
Maybe the new wings are only 40% the size of the REAL wings
Está servira para distraerle.
I don't really think that the concepts of self reliance and self achievement are qualities too readily found in those who would, in this case, aspire to positions well above their stations in life.
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standards
I am not going to defend the lowering of standards with regard to academic subjects, but lets just remember that they still have to pass their flying tests... Those that do not pass their flying tests might be given another chance with a re-test, but if he/she can't fly...then they are washed...
And lets also remember that those that just scrape through pilots course don't get command just like that (transport / helicopter).... its takes a while longer for them to get there, if they do get there... Most of the line pilots/instructors take their work seriously and are very professional and they will ensure that standards are not lowered once the new pilots get to the squadrons and start flying operationally...
And lets also remember that those that just scrape through pilots course don't get command just like that (transport / helicopter).... its takes a while longer for them to get there, if they do get there... Most of the line pilots/instructors take their work seriously and are very professional and they will ensure that standards are not lowered once the new pilots get to the squadrons and start flying operationally...
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lets just remember that they still have to pass their flying tests...
Just feel sorry for all the people that are going to be involved
GunsssR4ever
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.. but never think that we (the old SAAF boys) was the sharpest pencil around when it came to the books and 80% plus ... nooit oke's ...
On the flying side - yes - never, ever in my 16 years was standards lowered to accomodate someone (came damn close with a Minister's son) !
On the flying side - yes - never, ever in my 16 years was standards lowered to accomodate someone (came damn close with a
Minister's son) !
Has everyone already forgotten about those students who failed their FLIGHT tests once or twice at Langebaan but due to political pressure were "pushed through" and one of them subsequently did a nice wheels up in an Astra...was in the papers a while ago...what a joke....it's an insult to the "real" pilots out there who properly earned their wings...
