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Is aviation in Africa really unsafe?

African Aviation Regional issues that affect the numerous pilots who work in this area of the world.

Is aviation in Africa really unsafe?

Old 5th Jun 2011, 22:04
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The regulations and the regulator...

Ancient Geek,

In your post you mentioned
Just to be concise, do you actually mean lack of regulation? or
  • poorly written regulations? or
  • The regulatory authority not doing the "regulating".
I'll be grateful if you can provide example or instances.
My personal example : In 1997, the Nigerian CAA still had a 16 hour duty periods for pilots without limits as whether you can do that for6 consecutive days or not.
Of course, it was promptly corrected when we brought that to their attention.

Anyone has had to grapple with some "senseless" or "out-dated" regulations in the AFI region?
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Old 6th Jun 2011, 01:05
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Regulation:-

There are many others here with more recent experiences who should be better informed. It is, however, common knowledge that in some countries there is no effective regulation and corruption is rife.

There is wide variation, in some countries the local CAA or equivalent is highly professional and effective. South Africa and Kenya are excellent examples in my experience.

Some of the worst examples such as Somalia do not even have an effective government.

Avoid the worst of the hell holes and you should be safe.
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Old 6th Jun 2011, 06:30
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DRPAM007, a good thread, but with just soooooooo many variables,it would be one thing if aviation was the problem, but things like lack of road infrastructure, hospital and medical services, comms, education, general maintenance all add up.Reading (ands sifting through) the thread 'You know you are in Africa when' actually sums most of it up.........
The hassle is what to do!
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Old 6th Jun 2011, 10:21
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Lack of regulation

In my 6 years of flying in Nigerian airspace, I don't feel the airspace is safe. Everything falls back to lack of regulation. Also the regulations are hastily drawn up and not very concise e.g. The current NigCARs 2009 FTLs were hastily copied of FAA part 135. They are very basic and unrealistic.
Here are a few major safety lapses I have observed in Nigerian and most of African aviation:
1. Civil Aviation regulations in Africa are very basic, and are not tailored to the local environment.

2. Civil aviation authorities lack both quality and quantity of manpower to allow them satisfactorily perform their oversight functions.

3. Most operators do not implement what they have documented, due to lack of CAA oversight

4. Operators willing flaunt regulations knowing they won't be caught, due to lack of CAA oversight

5. Levels of technical knowledge among professionals is low. Sometimes due to lack of adequate training. Sometimes due to lack of checking standards to prevent incompetent people from occupying critical positions. Sometimes due to people presenting false credentials. All these exist due to lack of CAA oversight.

6. Cultural and political issues. CRM has improved in Nigeria but cultural issues still prevent younger people from speaking up. Also the political climate in some countries makes it difficult for safety reporting systems to function properly, due to fear of reprisal. I know that Nigerians are less likely than other nationals to put pen to paper and report irregularities.

7. Lack of adequate facilities. Lack of CAA oversight is also responsible, in part for this.

That's all I can come up with for now.
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Old 6th Jun 2011, 10:43
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Regulations or lack thereof don't kill people.

People kill people.

And yes, African people are dangerous. (all colours)
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Old 6th Jun 2011, 13:07
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I don't think that the lack of safety in African aviation can be put down to any one factor. Lack of money is definitely a big one, corruption another, poor equipment, poor training and poor quality people involved are also just as relevant.

Aviation just isn't taken as seriously in Africa as in other places. Companies and pilots get complacent and start treating planes as some sort of buses, and keeping pushing the boundaries until something gives. Then get all upset, hit the denial button big time, and promptly keep on doing the same old stupid mistakes.

Some of the accidents in my neck of the woods aren't even declared officially - aircraft get quietly repaired and put back into service having had nothing more serious than an 'off airport precautionary landing'. How good is that for spin doctoring a pilot cocking up royally, and plonking a plane load of passengers down in the bush!! And even if a prang is investigated, the investigators don't know what they're looking for, or can be bought off!! A down hill, down wind takeoff without basic directional control resulted in some serious cabin damage to a twin. Investigators spent hours measuring how far off the runway the aircraft came to rest, believed the story it was an engine failure and NEVER tried the perfectly good engines to see for themselves.

In Africa, we're experts at excuses!! Rotor winds that turn planes upside down, mountain waves that suck aircraft thirty miles off course, mysterious one plane turbulence, faulty batches of tyres, bad fuel, sabotage, engine failures etc. The one thing we rarely ever hear about is a pilot F-up. And let's face it - no matter what the ending factor is, most of the time the pilot failed to see the problem earlier down the line, and failed to do the right thing then.

What am I most scared of in aviation is definitely the people... ATC that clears small VFR traffic into your flight path in totally IMC conditions - Knowingly!! Pilots that don't listen to radio calls, or are half asleep when they make a call. Disinterest from airline management that allows shortcuts to put jets in the wrong place - Officially. Being told by an IR examiner to do a DME arc at an airport that doesn't have any published DME procedure because he was bored of the usual!! Pilots that can only press GOTO on a GPS and have never opened a map since their PPL. Egotists that can't be told they're past it/behind the loop/dangerously untrained etc. And companies that are so obsessed with the financial bottom line, they don't care about pilots or planes.

Definitely the people worry me most!!!
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Old 7th Jun 2011, 13:37
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I.R. Pirate,
A bit unfair generalisation, dont you think?
You seem to infer that all other nationalities adhere to safe aviation practices while in Africa except the Locals (all colours)

Have you thought of instances where non- African Pilots, engineers and other personnel have displayed reckless disregard for safety when operating in Africa because of the mis-conception that "This is Africa, where nothing works and normal rules dont apply"?
I personally have had quite a few instances. An example was while flying as co-pilot to some smart ambitious expatriate line training captain ( ex-Logan air skipper) who thought it was a good idea for us to take off overweight on a commercial flight with passengers, with a loadsheet which he signed showing the airplane being over the MTOW. As a measure of goodwill, he decided to falsify the loadsheet. When I insisted we need to remove actual weights from the aircraft, he tried to kick up a fuss saying the aircraft can take off with the excess weight. He then recommended starting up , taxi to a remote area rev the engines and burn fuel till we are at the MTOW. I reminded him that we were well about the Max ramp weight also. He became verbally abusive and I calmly informed him that I intend to make formal report of the event; that sort of shut him up.
To cut the story short, we dropped some baggage, completed the flight and I filed my report. He got a slap on the wrist, but I think it scuttled his plans of becoming chief Pilot.

My point is, will he even dream of attempting such madness in The UK with Logan air?
Imagine what he'll do if I was'nt there?

Last edited by DRPAM007; 8th Jun 2011 at 09:25.
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Old 7th Jun 2011, 14:11
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Capt Manuvar,

Great stuff, many thanks for your input.
The regulator's ability to provide the effective oversight function is the basis of the FAA international aviation safety assessment (IASA). On the logic that a bad regulator has no chance of producing a safe system.

In addition to autonomy the regulator is expected to have evidence of:
  • laws or regulations necessary to support the certification and oversight of air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards;
  • technical expertise, resources, and organization to license or oversee air carrier operations;
  • adequately trained and qualified technical personnel;
  • adequate inspector guidance to ensure enforcement of, and compliance with, minimum international standards; and
  • sufficient documentation and records of certification and adequate continuing oversight and surveillance of air carrier operations.
I think a major missing part of the framework is the lack of collective commitment of regional (AFI) governments towards improving safety standards by implementing policies that will tackle the source of the problems rather than the symptoms.
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Old 7th Jun 2011, 14:21
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(The mis-conception that "This is Africa, where nothing works and normal rules dont apply.)
And if that isn't a misconception you've just answered your own question.
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Old 7th Jun 2011, 16:23
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Why do I get the feeling that you are angling at "Africa needs to be regulated" And not accepting that it is the people flying here.

The person that you named, the training captain, is excatly the problem that we are trying to point out.

They know they can get away with it, so they do it. The lack of common sense and professionalism is what causes a huge amount of the accidents here.

We are a supposedly smart bunch of people. We know what is right and what is wrong.
Just because we can get away with it, isn't a excuse to do so.
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Old 7th Jun 2011, 16:33
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Old 7th Jun 2011, 19:08
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We are a supposedly smart bunch of people. We know what is right and what is wrong.
Just because we can get away with it, isn't a excuse to do so.
Indeed, a lack of proper regulation and enforcement is NOT an excuse for bad practices.

Responsible operators and professional pilots adhere to best practice regardless of who is watching.

The problem is the cowboy operators who thrive where there is a fast buck to be made where the law is not watching.
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Old 7th Jun 2011, 19:22
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Yup, and low time crews short cutting the process thereby missing out on a great deal of learning isn't helping things. The cowboy operators love folks like that. They'll do anything to get and hold on to a job, including illegal and downright stupid and dangerous stuff.
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Old 7th Jun 2011, 20:26
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DRPAM007, you totally miss my point.

There is a serious attitude problem in Africa, and in African people.

Still too much to prove.

And thats about as deep as I am getting into that on this forum

Fly safely
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Old 7th Jun 2011, 20:30
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Have you thought of instances where non- African Pilots, engineers and other personnel have displayed reckless disregard for safety when operating in Africa because of the mis-conception that "This is Africa, where nothing works and normal rules dont apply"? -Yes, they are called Russians.
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Old 7th Jun 2011, 20:34
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The Kenyan CAA being effective??? WHAT??? LMAO! One word, a certain CRJ operator based at HKJK.
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Old 7th Jun 2011, 20:36
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I.R. Pilot, Black Labels to you my friend from Primus country. You're alright
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Old 7th Jun 2011, 22:13
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I'm an SLF who flies extensively in Africa, mostly to capital cities etc - no bush flying. I searched out PPRUNE to inform myself better after undergoing a flight in Cameroon that I wished I had never boarded. I have lost a friend in a failure of African aviation.

My main concern is how do I reduce the risks to an acceptable level?

In the same vein as the Ancient Geek, I presume that IOSA certified airlines are reasonably safe. On that basis, I recommended Afriqiyah Airways to a friend. Luckily, she didn't listen to me. What does an IOSA certificate really say about an airline's safety?

I also note that some African airlines that may be OK are too small to afford IOSA. I'm thinking primarily about Air Botswana here. Could this be the case?

I also do a PPRUNE search on African airlines that I don't know. However, the PPRUNE consensus view has been wrong on Bellview, SLOK and Afriqiyah at least. So, if PPRUNE can get Africa wrong, where else to look for information?

To end my post, I want to be positive. National air markets are mostly pretty small in Africa. To operate an African airline at any sort of efficient scale and hence in affordable safety, there needs to be some sort of cross-border ownership / partnership. Kenya Airways and its affiliates seem to be a good business model here.

Last edited by answer=42; 7th Jun 2011 at 22:23.
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Old 7th Jun 2011, 23:18
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Just my 2c worth.

IMO, the single biggest reason for African Aviation being in the state its in is that there is no political will to fix the problems, largely due to the fact that this would actually involve having to spend money on stuff, instead of syphoning it into one's off shore bank account like we've been doing all these years.

To most African transport ministeries all the ICAO/IATA/OAU air safety conferences are little more than an excuse to have a bit of a tax payer funded jolly , in a nice 5 star hotel with one's mates as well as frequenting a few titty bars along the way. Thats just before the delegates get together for a backslapping session where they all bullsh1t each other how well their respective countries are doing since the colonial powers left.

Very few of those delegates actually give a toss about their jobs as doing anything constructive towards aviation safety may actually involve having to do something called 'work' () which as we all know has not been done in many African governments since the colonial powers left years ago.

More so the fact that most heads of African Aviation authorities are political appointments based on ones party conections and has nothing to do with having come from an aviation background. Some African countries CAA chiefs would be hard pressed to be able to differentiate between a space shuttle and a Piper Cub for all they know about matters aeronautical.

The international community is wasting their time and money in trying to do anything too serious regarding improvement of aviation safety as long as incompetance is allowed to prevail in the running of African countries and their aviation ministeries.

We should first encourage regime change in the worst and most decrepid of these countries, install competant persons into their goverments and then we can move forward from there.

I know that this is a generalisation but apart from a very few countries who actually do have their act together, from my experience , this is the general state of things in most of Africa.
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Old 8th Jun 2011, 03:12
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Spot on max. Add the buddy system, which will hunt you down if you go against any of their cronies.

The problem of aviation cannot be isolated from the general state of things particularly in the sub-saharan region. Get rid of the kleptomaniacs, things will begin to change.
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