What will SACAA destroy when theres no aviation left...???

[I.R.PIRATE]

I have just recieved this copy of a letter that was sent to one of the flying magazines in the country.... if this is true, its game OVER!!!!!

After receipt of the latest series of Notams and AICs, I had to shake my head with sheer amazement at the stupidity that comes from the powers that be at the SACAA. What the cause of this head shaking was, are the ICAO requirements, which the CAA is attempting to implement for flight crew recurrency training, CRM and proficiency checks for Part 135 and Part 121(commercial flight operations of aircraft below and above 5700kg)

It is, of course, entirely possible that I misread these proposed changes completely, but here is how I understand them. For the purposes of this discussion, let us assume you are a freelance commercial pilot, plying your trade flying turbine aircraft which require a type rating. In fact, let us take my situation into account. I hold the nine type ratings for aircraft below 5 700kg. In terms of the proposed regulations, I have to do the following in addition to the theoretical knowledge requirements, ON EACH AIRCRAFT EVERY SIX MONTHS!

steep turns
approach to stall
stall and recovery with full flaps
incipient spin and recovery
forced landing due to fuel exhaustion
overshoot from runway threshold with full flaps
flapless landing
short landing
ACAS manoeuvring
engine failure
engine-inoperative manoeuvring
flight control failures
system failures
use of auto-pilot
limited panel operations
holding pattern entry (really!)
non-precision approach
ILS approach
go around
engine- inoperative ILS
engine failure before V1
engine failure after V1
night operations VMC demonstration
single engine landing

Here is the kicker - Note 4 says proficiency shall be demonstrated ever (sic) six months for aircraft for which a type rating by name is required and which the flight crew member wishes to operate. On the understanding that a flight check as above would take at least two hours including the night portion, and that I would have to pay at least three thousand per hour for an aircraft, I am facing, in addition to the usual CRM course, medical and IF renewal, at least FIFTY FOUR THOUSAND RAND twice a year to be able to act as flight crew (note that there is no differentiation between P1 and P2), to keep on earning a salary.

Add to this the fact that I have three type ratings on rather expensive-to-hire jets over the 5700kg limit and similar requirements are in Part 121, then the average cost for the year would be ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY THOUSAND RAND. As the well known advertisement used to say, ‘Makes you want to drink, doesn't it ?’

Am I pissed off? Go figure. Frankly, I would lean towards telling the CAA to get stuffed - sue me if I am caught - it’s cheaper, and taking into account the incompetence rife in the CAA, I would probably win! Remember, this is the authority whose inspectorate grounded a turbo prop aircraft because it was being fuelled with Jet Fuel! Or, would I be too bold to suggest that every affected pilot puts ten thousand Rand into a fund and let us sue these idiots into oblivion? Or better still - tell ICAO to get the hell out of our country, and in fact, the entire continent?

It defies belief that this proposed amendment went from the proposer, to the department manager to the legal department and then back to the responsible person for signature - AND NOBODY PICKED UP ON THE IMPLICATIONS?

May I point out that the CAA's desire to be ICAO compliant has already led to the implementation of TCAS II, and 406 MHz ELT's, with very expensive RVSM looming on the horizon, not to mention whatever else Africa has to comply with, implemented as a solution to US or European problems! Now don’t get me wrong - some of these items are very welcome additions to safety - but taking into account the nature of some of the aircraft flying around African skies - RVSM is going to force them closer together just where there are no radar units to check separation...hmmmm, a case for having more ATCs by any chance?

When will we, as African aviators, stop allowing foreign aviation legislators to dictate to us?


:uhoh: :\ :yuk: :yuk: :yuk: :yuk: :* :* :* :sad: :sad: :bored: :\


This is scary shayte my friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[birdlady]

Bl***y hell. What a bunch of ignorant :mad: :mad:

I would just like to add this quote too. It was in the new AIC. If anyone can clear this one up for me it would be very much appreciated.

" The applicant for any licence, certificate or rating to be issued, reissued or renewed under these regulations shall satisy the Commissioner that he is a South African citizen or is in possession of a permanent residence or tempoary work permit and ordinarily resides and works in the Republic and that he is able to speak, read and write one or the other of the official languages of the Republic: Provided that the requirements other than the language shall not apply in respect of a student pilot's licence in the case of a student pilot receiving training towards the issue of a pilot's licence by another country."

Surely they can't implement this rule because a lot of flying schools students are foreigners. They would go bankrupt. Surely common sense will prevail. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Beechdrivr]

Hey I.R Pirate

yeah man, that doesn't sound good... when i was flying in Nam they had the same rule there but you had to do it every year... i was having to do renewals on all the type rated a/c on my licence. It becomes a VERY expensive little excercise!

Here's to hoping that they sort this out, especially for the freelance guys.:ugh:

[Haggis Freezin]

We do them every year in the great white north, most charter oprs don't allow you to hold more than two or three types as the recurrency training and testing becomes a pain.

I agree 100% with the system. A type rating means jack if you're not current and periodically re-evaluated. Testing is one thing but annual recurrent training per type (including per GPS/ FMS model etc.) is vital.

INMHO
Haggis

[Herc130]

As I read this AIC it means that it only required to proficiency training on types you whish to operate commercially, which is international best practice. I have enquired about the AIC and it appears to have originated from ALPA as a proposal.

It will however cause havoc for the freelancers.:{

[I.R.PIRATE]

YES you're so so correct, in fact it will F@CK up my whole career entirely......

I've seen for a while now, that the SACAA is trying very hard to get rid of freelance flyers....methinks they might succeed this time.... RIP PIRATE :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: :{

[Rat Catcher]

The usual lack of understanding by one's authority:yuk:
Perhaps you should offer your services to an operator to do all these flights as a rated pilot for his other pilots, thus remaining current and getting a reasonable rate for the aircraft when you have to do your own rides? A bit simplistic perhaps but these CAA guys have a habit of getting someone elses rules and copying the to save having to research the right way for the country.:*

[contraxdog]

Well I know nobody from SACAA will read this, so, I am stating here that I wont comply.
I will not earn 300 000 a year and pay 220 000 to be able to do so.
Its idiotic.
I dont care if Canada does it, or Australia, or OuterMongolia. Why the **** should we.
Its against my religion, capitalism. Its the type of religion, that sociolists, and communists, and beurocrats, and SAA ALPA members hate. The hate it becaus it we are free. We only have to take the bosses **** this flight and no longer.
If SACAA or ALPA wants to know who I am please pm me. I will give you a piece of my mind.

I will not COMPLY!!!!!!!

IWNC!!!

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Par for the course. Give a half educated fool an inch....

I refer you to the threads regarding SACAA practices. :(

[B Sousa]

Seems Contraxdog has an opinion that may soon be that of many in SA. The system will overload itself, just let it be.
Look back at the Capetown mess with the Helicopter. CAA lost their last set of false dentures biting thier own tail on that one. Albeit it appears the owner shot himself in the foot too many times and things wont be the same.
Sad to see but it would appear that as long as you dont ruffle feathers, pay off the right folks, and stay Anonymous, who in the world will ever know or cause you grief.. That all applies as long as you dont fly International..or at least too far from SA, if you get my drift..
As the saying goes fly what you have to, log what you need....
Lets see what happens.

[paperweight]

I.R.Pirate

I have just returned to SA and found AIC 18.20 in my post box, and I, as well as many other free-lance Comm pilots who are still "up North" - and probably don't know of the existance of this ridiculous writ - share your sentiments and will agree with you.

The AIC in question, 18-20, has a response date being the 28th February 2005 for the lodging of objections - only 10 days left.

I remember there was some problem previously where, the CAA tried to have Comm Pilots medically examined every six months and this was overturned apparently due to an objection from the "Comm Pilots Association" - according to my medical examiner.
(I think that they are possibly a different entity entirely to that of CAASA - can somebody clarify this for me?)
If they are indeed a separate entity, and if anyone out there has their contact details or representative’s details, please could you kindly post on this thread. Many thanks.

For those of you who are not sure what all the fuss is about: the planning, logistics, and the financial implications of hauling a pilot "out of the field" to satisfy some person's proposal to score "brownie" points with ALPA, the CAA, or both, is astronomical.
To give some sort of indication of what a flight costs - Air France wanted to charge R44 000=00 for a return flight to Johannesburg!!Never mind the cost of personally footing the
bill for recurrency on a jet engine - I.R. Pirate gives some dizzying figures for those of you who need to keep multiple aircraft current.

In closing, I feel the crux of the matter is summed up in a paragraph from AIC 18.20 as follows:

Quote

ALPA-SA acts on behalf of interested parties in the commercial aviation industry as represented by inter alia the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa, Executive Aerospace, Rossair, Simuflite, Solenta, and professional pilots in the employ of Comair and South African Airways

Unquote

Simply, if you are not currently in the employ of the latter two outfits well, . . .
. . you are just not professional, are you now?

[contraxdog]

I dont want to belong to SA ALPA they are a bunch of yes-men. They dont represent us. They never wanted to, from the start.
I like the inclusion of Rossair in the list. Makes sences doesnt it!
You guys want to make an issue out of it let me know. I will put my name on the list. If not I will not comply, because I cannot comply.

[Coleman Myers]

I.R. Pirate et al,

I sympathise with you all and cannot believe that a first world authority would dream up such ludicrous criteria. Professional pilots must fight this or your CAA will go blindly where all those north of the Limpopo have gone before and take your industry with it.

The truth of the matter is that nobody in authority wants to be held accountable in the event of an inquiry. As an official body, make it too hard and it is unlikely that accountability will ever arise.

The other favourite trick is never to appoint anybody permanently. Officials titles preceeded by "Acting", no wonder they call one authority by the nickname "Hollywood". And all because the reality is that very often the officer has been fast tracked in to a position she/he is hopelessly under-qualified to fill.

Fight it - we who went before you stand behind you !.

[PNL]

For what it's worth, their probable intention is in the interests of maintaining South Africa as an IASA category 1 Country. (See the FAA website). Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Kenya etc are category 2.

[Skaz]

utterly bl**dy ridiculous. I had a rather heated discussion with a certain person at DCa in NAm re the same matter. this dude refused to accept that this very same rule is impossible for anybody that has to pay for their ratings themselves, to comply with. i got threatened with having my license and validation revoked and even hints of workpermit being retracted.
the argument was that the air namibia pilots could do it, so whats the problem? same as with SAA etc...nothing if you dont have to pay for it yourself

Al for asking a question...then you have idiots barrelrolling aircraft with people on board, this is known to the powers that be, and nothing happens.....F*ALL ...

so which country is worse of them, south africa, namibia, botswana.....if they all follow this stupidity, the whole southern africa...:yuk: :yuk:

[I.R.PIRATE]

:yuk: :yuk:
Ok at least thats out of mys system and i can rant on an empty stomach. To all you ALPA influenced autopilot jockeys that this does not affect, shut THE f@ck up. You have no idea you clowns. And to those of you that are blind or stupid enough to think that you can compare aviation in this country to that of the UK, US or anywhere for that matter, catch a fat wake up boys, we ARE a third world country, being led by fifth world thinkers. These half wit f@t assed fat walleted single brain cellular dickwads at SACAA have just proven that they have absolutely no idea of whats actually going on in our industry. Remember too, that not everyone wants to watch George driving all day, sipping on tea, and drooling each time the box office door opens, some of us actually love FLYING for a living. I will NOT comply, and in fact if it were forced upon us i would happily toss that insignificant third world licence into the sh1tter, cause it USED to be able to earn me a living.

:yuk: :yuk:

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Whoooaaaah! Simmer down, boet. Your head will explode if you carry on like that.

Once you're in that secure job you won't have to worry about stuff like this. Problem is getting there...:(

[B Sousa]

If I didnt know better I would say I.R.Pirate is not very happy these days.
Gotta remember from now on out its the tail wagging the dog.

[cavortingcheetah]

:cool:

I have to say that, were I still working in ZA as a freelance charter pilot; I would be distressed at the new type currency proposals. I wonder whether they have been initiated to conform to new European regulations. I imagine that quite a few of the larger ZA companies have their jets flying into European and US airspace on non scheduled flights
These proposed flight check requirements aka Base Check, do nothing much more than attempt to put ZA in line with JAR regulations. These are a painful minefield but probably, sensibly or not, reflect the way in which world wide flight licensing is going. The days of climbing from a Lear into a Gulfstream and then into a Baron, are numbered. I guess that the easiest way around this conundrum is to freelance for one company only and leave it up to them as to which aircraft they might you to operate. It is a system which works quite reasonably in Europe.:hmm:

[contraxdog]

I think there is a misconception about freelance aviation in South Africa. I will try and explain as far as I can to the uninformed and uninterested, and underprivalidged.
Working free lance:
I have no permanent employment ie. no pension, no medical, no empoyer, no house subsidy, no car subsidy, no secretary, no rostering department, I pay my own tax. When I fly on xmasday, my wifes birthday, Valentines day, Easter, and my anniversary, I have no Company to blame. When I dont earn any money I have no crooked boss to blame. I cannot get irritated or angry with my late arriving passengers because next time, they wont ask to fly with me.
I have no seniority ladder, I cannot bid up or sideways, all trainging is paid out of my own pocket. I buy my own uniform that has to look like it it is supplied by a company.
I pay for my own renewals, my own DG course, my own medical, my own CRM course, my own EPT training, I hand my own licence in at CAA and pay the renewal fee as well.
The charter market in SA is so dismal for freelansers that the ownly way I can make any money is to have as many types on my licensce as possible in order to be marketable.
Empoyers in SA doesnt hire that well, why would they, we have some of the most draconic basic employment laws in place in the world, not to even speak about the Employment Equity Act. SAA with ALPA's blessing (mind you) trains Cadets to fill their quotas, f*%%#@g up a large portion of the movement in the avaition Job market. To top it all they bully companies like NAC, Rossair, and Solenta( all wich does not belong to the stable) to take these cadets in, so they can gain "experience", to make them more usable, thus stuffing the flow up even more.

Because of a couple of the above mention Companies are not there anymore, or have decided to tell them to stuff it., ALPA (of wich SALPA has a lot of say in) in all their wisdom have come up with an altenative. Take the Freelance and contract Pilots out of the system, and the number of jobs will increase, because they wont be able to afford the upkeep. Thus a prefect sosialist solution, ie. If half the pilots have more than one job, make it very expensive for them to keep the second and the third and then everyboby will have one! They forget however that that half need to have more than one to keep the wolf from the door.

How about we start a SEPPA(Self Employed Professional Pilots Assosiation) and under our constitutional right to earn a living we force the CAA to concede the rule for us?

I propose, that the new proposal, is accepted but that all training for all pilots must be paid out of their own pockets, it will not be tax deductable for the company to reimburse them. Infact very illegal.(Check this out Trev) Punishable by the loss of Licence!This might make SAA profitable in 6 months!
I really think a senior ALPA member with a salary of a milllion a year can afford to pay his own way, dont you?

I will not comply!

...the time has come the walrus said to speak of many things, of pirate ships and sealing wax and cabbages and kings....

This document was not spell checked on purpose!

[cavortingcheetah]

:)
Contraxdog.

I enjoyed your last post very much. It was pretty apt. I am most relieved to read your spelling postcript. By my calculation it is only 17.15 down there.
I started life off as a freelance charter pilot at FAGM. I flew on many a private special day and faced up to many a charter queen who wanted six pax in a five pax Baron - or whatever other idiocy motivated their ghastly lust for profit at the expense of safety and common sense! It was very hard work and I was lucky to land a job in a regional airline many years ago. For this reason, I am only just going grey and preserve, to this day, my Clark Gable good looks.
I fear that your assessment of the motive for the latest legislation is quite correct. No more charter pilots of the professional ilk. SEPPA would be a good idea if enough chaps would join. As you well know, pilots do not like to find money even if the end result might be to their benefit. Good luck::D

[I.R.PIRATE]

Hee hee hee, a stable job....thanks I needed that. Ask Rossair, Sunair, Civair...... pilots about stable jobs. You know whats cutting Contraxdog, you too have seen the real deal, Im in for SEPPA, hopefully, working as your gofer or spell checker, should leave me more money in the bank than what flying (really flying)....with my hands....is gonna do. I salute you. :ok:

[flyboy2]

Maybe this helps those faraway Ppruners who haven't as yet received this AIC.

Quoted from AIC 18:20 05-01-21

"para 2: 6 Monthly profiency checks:

1.The 6-monthly flight crew check referred to in para [e] of sub- regulation 121.03.6[1] of the CAR, in respect of aeroplanes with a certified mass in Excess of 15 000 kg or a maximum approved passenger seating configuration in excess of 19 passengers,
shall be carried out at least once every 12 months in a flight simulator, approved for the purpose:Provided that, where such flight simulator is not available within the Republic ,the requirement may be relaxed to once every 24 months.

2. Where no flight simulator,as contemplated in para [a] above,
is reasonably or timeously available ,the Commissioner may
under exceptional circumstances exempt an operator from this
particular requirement for a particular type of aeroplane for a
period not exceeding 12 months: Provided the operator
demonstrates a satisfactory equivalent level of profiency by
other means .Such a exemption shall be published in a AIC. "

"Written representation for or against the proposal may be made to the Commissioner for Civil Aviation ---or by e-mail to
Merriam Mamabolo [ [email protected] ] or Herman Wildenboer [ [email protected] ] by not later than 28 February 2005 "

[paperweight]

. . . and as for SEPPA - count me in.

[cavortingcheetah]

:D flyboy2

Thank you for that steadying piece of news. Actually, there would seem to be much more latitude down South than there is here in the snow.
I don't find the AIC requirements at all onerous but I do read them from an airline point of view and not, thank goodness, from the perspective of a freelance pilot on whatever level of aircraft.
And of course, I also read them as one who usually bangs his way through the wonderful weather associated with Northern Hemisphere winter aviation, where, dare I say it, blue skies are not the norm. But then, at the risk of being a Devil's Disciple; should standards differ because the weather and conditions do between Hemisphere and Hemisphere? I don't really think so. A Pilot must be a sort of 'Go Anywhere Chap' (or Chappess, I suppose). There may be a Porcupine for the plucking here. Tally Ho:E

A

[In the hot seat]

Of course standards must be kept high. But then it should apply across the board!!! This is a discussion for another day ...

My heart bleeds for the freelancers. I too, used to be one, until maintaining my Comm. just became too expensive. Luckily I have other employment.

Already the self funded recurrency training has claimed some victims. Any more expenses are going to kill off the rest. If you're not a cadet, being pushed into every seat the moment someone vacates it, you have little to no chance.

It's going to take some years for the industry to burn its fingers on the destruction of the freelance (self funded) pilot. They're needed if the various charter companies are going to remain competitive. Eventually, however, the pool of wealthy and priveleged self funders will run dry. Then you'll see those charter queens banging on the door of the CAA with their powder puffs trying to get out of having to foot the bill!!

Unfortunately, though, there will be many casualties before this sweet irony ever comes about.

It's all very sad...........:\

[Smokeyengine]

:mad: :mad: sh*t :mad:

[I.R.PIRATE]

Just heard today that on top of all this crap, CRM and Dangerous Goods, they are adding firefighting, and first aid to the list of " MUST HAVES" for the professional pilot. At an average of R1000 a pop, thats already R4000 before even getting to the flying side, or the annual CAA costs. What the F@CK is going on here, its crazy, someone HHHEEEEEEELLLLLLPPPPPP !!!!!!!!!!!

[cavortingcheetah]

:(

Actually, IRP, not, I hope RIP, the situation down there is becoming much as it has been up here (UK) for years. The cost of recurrent training is so high and the nausea involved, so great, that only the airlines themselves can afford both to pay and accomodate such mess of scrambled eggs.I have to do CRM, pool training, fire training, mouth to mouth (wrong victim every time) and so on every two years. Worse, if the relevant certificates are not signed off, you can indeed be grounded and that, at very short notice. Bonding; I am sure you know what I mean, has become the aviation employers' only recourse. I remember that, at an interview some years ago, Rough Ryan the Irish told me that I would not only have to be bonded but also to pay them for a 737/200 type rating course, out of future earnings. I have therefore applied to Emirates as a Pilot Recruitment Manager. Someone of ancient age needs to get up there and try to help the lads at selection time.
I very much fear that ZA pilots of the freelance notion, are going to reap a little bit of a whirlwind. My sympathies. Go shoot the men in black.:E

[south coast]

contacts dig

yiu obvioeslie heve wey two mech tyme on yoer hends, amd thewfore ahe abele two right sush lomg windid replys.

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Been at the meths, Southie?:E :ok:

The SA Constitution guarantees you the right to work. If this affects that right there may be a case for the Constitutional Court to ream out the half educated new broom who's pushing all these sweeping new changes. Might be an idea to get all those affected together and hit the SACAA with a class action.:( As I understand it (rumours only) the CAA doesn't challenge court actions due to lack of money so it might be worth a try.

[contraxdog]

If wanted to be a fireman....I would have done the course
If I wanted to be a paramedic....I would have done the course
If I wanted to be an accident investigator....I would have done the course....
If I wanted to become a beggar of Fanny Batter, I would have asked SouthCoast to help....

S, me thinks you have spent enough time in the Sahara, think there is some sand in your keyboard again.

Its nearly rainy season, why dont you ask to move up? We will have you. At least you can hold a conversation for a minute and a half before the meths kick in.......

[south coast]

thanks contrax dog...

i would love to come and join you guys, i have had enough of the rude boneheads here who just continue to talk that out dated language in the presence of a subject of her majesty...and also you do have good conversation value.

[from somewhere]

When someone holds one of the top positions in the SACAA, and this one already had an experience how to destroy the whole aviation (he did this thing in Lesotho just a few years ago), a new target for him (South African aviation) just a pleasure!

[Union Air]

I hear that all the experienced (read: WM) people at CAA's contracts have been cancelled.
Apparently the new head of Part 121 Operations is a 200-hour (BF) Comm pilot. Apparently less than zero knowledge of airline operations - example: she interrogated one of the airlines' chief pilots about their de-icing procedures in JNB and argued with him when he told her that de-icing isn't done in JNB!
Scary stuff.:uhoh:

[Whenwe]

Union Air: I hope that what you are saying is just a rumour!!!!

If that is true...... thank God I am retired!

[Union Air]

Sorry WW - more than just a rumour - from the horse's mouth (although can't tell which horse!).

Also heard from a high-placed source that the SACAA's status may be downgraded if they don't comply with a whole host of issues that ICAO addressed with them - if this happens it means that SA Airlines will not be able to fly to the US anymore (amongst other places).

Industry will have to stand up and force DoT to sort CAA out.... otherwise there's going to be tough times ahead for all of us.

[I.R.PIRATE]

Maybe thats exactly what has to happen before they notice that the poor vision they have, is actually due to the shyte in their eyes. I for one, would be the first to stand at the front door of CAA and applaud them, if our operators were to lose their international priviledges. It needs to be drummed into these idiots that aviation CANNOT be run by unqualified, previously confused, now " licenced" nobodies. I hope they learn the hard way.:yuk: :yuk:

[ou Trek dronkie]

Union Air,

Are you saying de-icing is never carried out at FAJS ?

oTd

[clipboard]

Rumour has it that the SACAA is due an ICAO Audit shortly. General opinion is that it wil fail dismally.

It is such a great pity that Jeff Radebe cannot apply his mind to sort out that lot, and one can only but wonder why he's so slack about it. Rumour has it that the DoT have not yet sorted out their issues with Trevor Abrahams, and cannot appoint a new Commissioner until such time the Trevor issue have been laid to rest. (Wrongfull dismissal/cancellation of contract without notice etc.)

All I can say is that the SACAA are now becoming the laughing stock of professional aviation around the world. NO-ONE that deals/have dealt with these clowns have anything good to say about them. Then there are those that criticize them, but are not prepared to take them on.

Peter Piggot, as Chairman of the Commercial Aviation Association criticizes them in open forums, but are to afraid to go "balls to the wall" in case he gets ostracised by the goons. Its a shame! We should all stand up as a team, organise a mass march to parliament, involve COSATU if necessary, and make Jeff understand how useless both him and his CAA are. Radebe should be fired anyway. Just look what a mess he made of Public Enterprise! The result? A whitey (Alec Irwin) gets transferred from Trade and Industry to Public Enterprise to sort out all Jeff's cock ups. Makes you think huh?:mad: :} :yuk:

[Whenwe]

At one stage during Trevors problems Ronelle Stander acted in his position and she was a huge success. But the conflict started and two camps developed in CAA: those for and against Trevor.
I would like to see her back but she has such a senior position in the D o T, (DG I think) that she probably cannot help out.
I believe she has enough clout to do something about CAA and I surprised she hasn't done anything yet.

[Wyatt Earp]

Latest discussion at the SA Airline Pilots Association Regulations Committee. " Now that the outcry over our proposed Recency Legislation that we submitted to the CAA has died down we better get a letter off to Arthur at Part 121 and ask him to quietly withdraw this AIC ." Between ALPA and SAAFI we should see some more of these Looney Tunes being processed via the Kremlin in Midrand. Go baby!

[robair]

The sounds familiar to whats going on in Australia:ouch:
You don't have a Brit running your CAA do you??

[Kennel Keeper]

Recently heard a new inspector arrived at an AMO (AA post to replace 30 year veteran) to do a Cof A on a Cub!!

Wanted to know " Why is the pitot tube so big?? I have never seen one like this before" - pointing to the venturi on the side of the aircraft!!!

WHAT NEXT

Latest news is that responsible managers and inspectors will be required to report personally at CAA for interview pending application for a new licence or amendment!!

Is the venturi guy going to interview a 30 year veteran on his competence to work on aircraft or inspect it?

[Solid Rust Twotter]

KK

It's already happening. Inspectors are making wild statements regarding airworthiness and when pulled up about it, admit to not being licenced to work on the type, ie, no clue what they're talking about.:mad:

[cavortingcheetah]

:p robair.
You really cannot blame 'The Brits' for the state of affairs at CAA OZ. Almost all reflective Ozzies are Brits by extraction. Only problem here is that they amost invariably came from the less intelligent strata of the dregs of what passed for society.
Having said that; I well remember the head of Botswana DCA, some twenty years ago. So, I can sympathize with you with regard to your incumbent's lack of intelligence, if not with regard to his national extraction.:)