Nationwide grounded
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CAA sends fax late thursday night to ground NTW. A fax?? Which CAA in the world closes an airline's ops by fax? Then it does so a day before one of the bussiest days of the year for NTW. Grounds it's entire fleet by pulling the AMO, on claims it hasn't met or done anything to rectify the findings found in the last audit. NTW shows evidence of compliance but still isn't good enough. CAA makes claims that one the bolts used was untraceable, however that bolt was removed and shown to the CAA with a visible partnumber en serial number, CAA said then they're happy with it. CAA then starts to fine comb NTW maintenance, result, found the wrong grease in one the greaseguns. CAA spokewoman makes a statement on TV that she wouldn't fly nationwide as it's not safe, but she would if somebody else does NTW's maintenance oversight.
I don't think SAA or for that fact any other airline or maintenance organization is behind all this. However I do feel that the CAA has a personal vendetta here. Interesting to see that the CAA guy got fired today.......
I don't think SAA or for that fact any other airline or maintenance organization is behind all this. However I do feel that the CAA has a personal vendetta here. Interesting to see that the CAA guy got fired today.......
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If indeed there is no fire under the smoke, then why has Nationwide not sought immediate relief from the courts, for example in terms of an urgent interdict to allow them to continue operations.
After all, their very survival as a business is at stake!
What also gets me is that Nationwide were quite content to BS the public about the FOD theory when it was patently obvious that no seagull got sucked into that engine. Even the geniuses at CAA picked up on that and disagreed with that story very early on. But obviously the public will be far more "understanding and forgiving" of the FOD theory and the engine falling off "as designed" than the truth.
After all, their very survival as a business is at stake!
What also gets me is that Nationwide were quite content to BS the public about the FOD theory when it was patently obvious that no seagull got sucked into that engine. Even the geniuses at CAA picked up on that and disagreed with that story very early on. But obviously the public will be far more "understanding and forgiving" of the FOD theory and the engine falling off "as designed" than the truth.
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Great bunch
I have flown with a few of the blokes a couple of years ago. They are extremely professional. Some of them even went overseas to fly for international carriers and obtained command on these birds.
Sure VB is not the most pleasant chap in the aviation industry (we who have met him know this first hand), but as was mentioned in a previous post, the people that matter are the staff. The stress on these folks must be unbearable.
The SACAA must have another motive. On ETV last night a SACAA woman was asked directly if she would fly NTW. Her responce was "If they sort out their problems I would fly" (Not her exact words). She then added (Her exact words) "but at the moment, I would not take that risk".
What a
comment is that to make on the news. Does this SACAA woman know all the facts and what are the public going to think of NTW after this woman said this thing.
I hope for the public, and for the staff working for NTW they get airborne quickly.
Sure VB is not the most pleasant chap in the aviation industry (we who have met him know this first hand), but as was mentioned in a previous post, the people that matter are the staff. The stress on these folks must be unbearable.
The SACAA must have another motive. On ETV last night a SACAA woman was asked directly if she would fly NTW. Her responce was "If they sort out their problems I would fly" (Not her exact words). She then added (Her exact words) "but at the moment, I would not take that risk".
What a
comment is that to make on the news. Does this SACAA woman know all the facts and what are the public going to think of NTW after this woman said this thing.I hope for the public, and for the staff working for NTW they get airborne quickly.
Last edited by Ricoffy; 4th Dec 2007 at 09:04. Reason: Spelling error
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...and thats my personal problem: Right or wrong, the CAA are taking every opportunity to absolutely kill Nationwide's credibility in the press. Just take a look at their manner of saying things and choice of words - it really seems like one way or another, they're trying to take them down.
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Shrike, I agree, but why and who is behind this. Could only be political, or is it the mentality that is going downhill in this country at the moment by government institutions.
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Some more, from the quote re the CAA boss leaving:
Not that any of this is going to be widespread knowledge amongst the general public after the CAA have already got their knife in.
Originally Posted by Pretoria News
By Staff Reporters and Sapa
The chief executive officer of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Zakes Mayeza, is leaving the organisation and the commissioner of Civil Aviation, Gawie Bestbier, is relinquishing his post in the middle of the Nationwide airline crisis.
This comes as the CAA and the airline reached agreement on what was required to get the airline back in the air.
The agreement between Nationwide and the CAA was confirmed by both parties on Tuesday, but was overshadowed by confirmation that Mayeza was leaving the helm of the CAA after his contract ended.
(...Snip: some stuff from Nationwide saying how safe they're going to be now that they've been so thoroughly inspected...)
Meanwhile, an independent aviation specialist has described the grounding of the Nationwide fleet as an "overblown paper chase", slamming the CAA's insistence on being given documentation that they had already been given in the past.
The editor of World Air News, Tom Chalmers, said the reason that Nationwide was suspended had nothing to do with the engine incident.
"The CAA is claiming that the grounding was done because their paper work was not in order. From my knowledge everything is in order," said Chalmers.
"The CAA want paperwork and information about a 767 dating back years to when the aircraft was owned and operated by Air Canada," he said.
Chalmers said the CAA inspector who had reservations about whether Nationwide's engine bolts were genuine after an engine fell out did not know that the serial numbers were only visible under a special light.
The chief executive officer of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Zakes Mayeza, is leaving the organisation and the commissioner of Civil Aviation, Gawie Bestbier, is relinquishing his post in the middle of the Nationwide airline crisis.
This comes as the CAA and the airline reached agreement on what was required to get the airline back in the air.
The agreement between Nationwide and the CAA was confirmed by both parties on Tuesday, but was overshadowed by confirmation that Mayeza was leaving the helm of the CAA after his contract ended.
(...Snip: some stuff from Nationwide saying how safe they're going to be now that they've been so thoroughly inspected...)
Meanwhile, an independent aviation specialist has described the grounding of the Nationwide fleet as an "overblown paper chase", slamming the CAA's insistence on being given documentation that they had already been given in the past.
The editor of World Air News, Tom Chalmers, said the reason that Nationwide was suspended had nothing to do with the engine incident.
"The CAA is claiming that the grounding was done because their paper work was not in order. From my knowledge everything is in order," said Chalmers.
"The CAA want paperwork and information about a 767 dating back years to when the aircraft was owned and operated by Air Canada," he said.
Chalmers said the CAA inspector who had reservations about whether Nationwide's engine bolts were genuine after an engine fell out did not know that the serial numbers were only visible under a special light.
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It just goes to show how unprofessional the SACAA actually is!
They should remain silent until an investigation has concluded (here in Australia CASA would say "no comment" until an investigation has been completed).
By making "stupid" comments they are the ones that are opening "cans of worms" making people think that there maybe a few "hidden agendas" going on.
I say get Nationwide back in the air to secure the jobs of the fine folk at Lanseria and provide some competition against that "government owned" airline.
'
They should remain silent until an investigation has concluded (here in Australia CASA would say "no comment" until an investigation has been completed).
By making "stupid" comments they are the ones that are opening "cans of worms" making people think that there maybe a few "hidden agendas" going on.
I say get Nationwide back in the air to secure the jobs of the fine folk at Lanseria and provide some competition against that "government owned" airline.
'
Feasant Plucker
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I say get Nationwide back in the air to secure the jobs of the fine folk at Lanseria and provide some competition against that "government owned" airline.
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I've recently gone into real estate and for all those who believe the contradictions coming from the CAA I have a rather tall iron structure in France and a beautiful white mansion on the other side of the pond that I have exclusivity to sell, both at a great bargain.
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mactheknifeAnyone know what the actual qualifications of these CAA inspectors are???
They have nothing and thats the problem inexperienced unqualified = liars = taking tax payers money under false pretences. Close em down and hand it over to tha FAA.
They have nothing and thats the problem inexperienced unqualified = liars = taking tax payers money under false pretences. Close em down and hand it over to tha FAA.
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Media blackout
Ive cross posted this cos it seems relevent to this thread - hope thats OK guys 
This was just up on The Times -
It all seems irrelevant now with all the news and un-news up to this point. This is a kangaroo court if ever Ive seen one - trial by media and turkeys.
Hasn't anyone heard of "no comment" - saves a lot of trouble
Umm - confusion - what confusion
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Media blackout on Nationwide Sapa Published dec 04, 2007
The South African Civil Aviation Authority and Nationwide Airlines have agreed to halt communication with the media over the grounding of the carrier.
They would no longer make independent statements to the press, but would speak jointly on the process should the need arise, the CAA and Nationwide said today.
This was "to avoid causing confusion", said CAA spokeswoman Phindiwe Gwebu.
This was just up on The Times -
It all seems irrelevant now with all the news and un-news up to this point. This is a kangaroo court if ever Ive seen one - trial by media and turkeys.
Hasn't anyone heard of "no comment" - saves a lot of trouble
Umm - confusion - what confusion
------------------------------------------
Media blackout on Nationwide Sapa Published dec 04, 2007
The South African Civil Aviation Authority and Nationwide Airlines have agreed to halt communication with the media over the grounding of the carrier.
They would no longer make independent statements to the press, but would speak jointly on the process should the need arise, the CAA and Nationwide said today.
This was "to avoid causing confusion", said CAA spokeswoman Phindiwe Gwebu.
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they'll make joint comments from now on cause when this whole thing peters out you can be sure Vern and a team of rottweilers in suits will go after SACAA with teeth bared. For everything VB is, if it's because of CAA's incompetence and arrogance I for one hope he bites a chunk out of their asses.
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NW has the best aviators (I use the term Aviators to sperate them from run of the mill pilots AME's and CC ) in RSA on its books, and if it were a military organisation it would be equal to the SAS
And by the way no tax payers money goes toward the CAA....who if you cared to enquire is now a private entity! So be it!And quite frankly with the tone and attitude of your posts in general I'm not surprised you had a run in with VB.....would have told you too, to take your monkey nuts and shove them!
And by the way if there are any discrepancies on NTW's behalf, the FAA, UK CAA and any other Aviation authority around the world would have done the same thing! Lets wait and see the outcome before we judge and point fingers even though at this stage we feel it is unjust as to what occurred recently.
Remember Valujet many years ago?......the same issues spring to mind here. Lets hope not but lets wait and see.........for the better!
To all the NTW guys.....good luck and hopefully we will see you in the skies very soon!
Last edited by beechbum; 4th Dec 2007 at 19:53.
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Hey Madherb, I am not "bashing" SAA (they seem to be doing a great job of it themselves by the look of some of the posts on this website).
Actually I can't complain about SAA (I recently flew from Perth to Jo-Burg and on to Lagos and back and was very, very happy with the level of service they provided).
Shame that the flight attendants couldn't stop "bashing" their employer though.
Actually I can't complain about SAA (I recently flew from Perth to Jo-Burg and on to Lagos and back and was very, very happy with the level of service they provided).
Shame that the flight attendants couldn't stop "bashing" their employer though.