Namibia ATC

[worn chair]

Please take note.

The department of civil aviation (DCA) is on a downhill track, and gaining momentum fast. Unfortunately its dragging its ATC's with it.

The Namibian DCA has been short-staffed for more than 10 years, and nothing seems to be done about it. (Although management will differ with me here) One just has to look at the staff establishment to see that a shortage of close to 50% exists in ATC's.

Namibia has well qualified and dedicated ATC's, working a minimum of 48 hours per week. Many are expected to perform additional duties in their "off time". Working conditions are, and have been for a long time, challenging to say the least. The staff morale is at its lowest its ever been, despite the ministry's recent efforts to improve the situation by restructuring the DCA. After 5 years of negotiations, some senior ATC's now receive just short of 2K more per month. Its more of an insult than a raise...

An ATC in Namibia pays between 34% and 50% of what his/her counterpart in south africa earns. And ATNS is struggling to keep their staff!!!

This is then the reason why 2 ATC's have already left to south africa this year alone, and another 7 are currently negotiatong with ATNS. This leaves the DCA in crisis, especially now that the new AREA centre has to be taken into operation. ATC's will have to be employed from elsewhere, and the only ones likely to apply are probably zimbabweans and/or zambians. (Those that have been unsuccesfull at finding jobs with ATNS) Another strategy discussed by management is to close all regional airports and relocate those ATC's to Windhoek.

Forgive me for sounding negative, but I believe its time to put the facts on the table. Management in the DCA denies that a crisis is looming, and keep on overspending their budgets, supplementing the then created shortages from the ATC training budget. Many ATC's are not receiving essential training as prescribed by ICAO, due to the non availability of funds. Yet close to a million dollars has recently been spent on a non essential trip by non essential staff to canada. See the media re this!!! (all organised by the ex-director who's co-incidentily apparently being investigated by the anti corruption commition at the moment, but thats a whole new story by itself)

Its time that the flying community takes note of the happenings regarding Namibian ATC. They are losing well experienced and key staff rapidly, and this will have a big impact on the future safety of the namibian skies.

[abc.fp]

This should be in the local media....

[Voel]

And thanks to those who are staying behind and trying to steer the ship. They are doing an excellent job. Why are the ATNS guys leaving for the ME. Its a fact that you go there where the pay is. Not necessary greener pastures.

[bigmanatc]

So Voel.... when my pile is big enough...can I have my old position back...?

[UriahHeep]

Hi Worn Chair, have deepest sympathies for Namibian ATCO’s. Know a bunch of them, those that have left and some that still remain…….and what the DCA has lost and is going to lose…….well the aviation fraternity there seems doomed to culminate in every ATC’s (and anybody else’s for that matter) worst nightmare.

Abc has said it right, but knowing the environment I am sure it has either been tried without much reaction or else the monitoring is such that just to attempt something of that nature and be discovered will result in a gleeful sending off by exec management.

My first knee jerk reaction would be to apply to ATNS, not absolutely fantastic, but on a sliding scale, remarkably better than where you are. However, you are right in saying the turn-over within the rank and file of ATNS is highly fluid, but then again all to his/her own.

Don’t know what you personal circumstances are, but if you are interested, I will put you in contact with a number of overseas (ME) contractors that always seem on the look-out.

[B747ATP]

Yup i know a couple of controllers up in Nam have flown their couple of times ....must say some are excellent controllers, but others are just plain incompetent, cant even sep two aircrafts.... if the standard and quality of the work environment is going down the drain, I think it's time to evacuate the sinking vessel before it hits rock bottom... we all know that management in most companies don't care about their workers... (check the pilot drain that will happen to SAA).... i can just say leave for a better package... look after yourself, cause management doesn't care about you now and in the future...

[rawitact]

I have been in Namibia for some time and I have to say 'THE RATS ARE LEAVING THE SINKING SHIP':D

Couple of points still outstanding are the fact that on 1 Jan 2007 there were 24 ATC of various grades in Windhoek. 2 have gone to ATNS, 1 on pension and 1 decided he had enough, resigned and is now surviving in London.
7 are now engaged with discussions and tests with various service providers (mostly ATNS)

Windhoek needed a new BOSS/DIRECTOR with super BALLS 5 years ago. Now the ship is gone. The workers that kept pluging holes and throughing buckets full of water out of the ship are on the way.

Thanks Voel. This is not your fathers bussines!

[Voel]

Hey Big Man, ur still in the ME? Will find a job 4 u here if you accept peanuts.

[CuitoCuanavale]

Howzit Worn Chair. Sort of saw this comming years ago, still am sorry to see that it has now reached such proportions. Trained some of the ATC's at Windhoek (ATA), which produced some remarkable controllers among them.

Dont really know what to say except T.I.A.

I have been here in the Middle East for some time know, and even though it presents you with a different set of challenges, have to admit that not paying tax is something I have gotten used to. My wife is also very much aclimitized to life here in that as a mother not having to constantly be alert to levels of crime that is rampant in Africa, is something that will in all likelihood keep us here for a while yet........or so I am directed to by domestic management!

Anyway boet, I see help has already been offered in the way of jobs, well that is all I can also offer. Chew it over and feel free to contact me by using the PM (Private Message) function on this site.

It pretty much goes without saying that the station where I work we are desparately understaffed, however, I believe that hiring in this region is for all intents and purposes an on-going affair, so the Middle East, if you are keen, is your oyster.

Chow.

[rawitact]

Anybody wants to work for this?

N$25k p/m. including car, medical and house

minus 36% tax

extra benefits are::ugh:

1)no coordination (Private calls have priority)

2)briefing not forwarding FPLs.(Training in progress)

3)40 per week required (plus at least 8 hours OTon sunday. You will have to claim that extra and anything from 1 week to 3 months till you get your $$)

4)4 OFF DAYs in 4 weeks. (you can do extra duties on this day. Payment as per point 3)

Any place worse than this?

[126,7]

Now imagine doing all of that at Ondangua International Airport. :sad:

[worn chair]

Namibia ‘Gained’ from Trip
Tuesday, 9th of October 2007
By Chrispin Inambao

WINDHOEK

The Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication has come out in defence of its recent mission to Canada, saying ten people were in the delegation to enable the ministry to effectively lobby for a seat on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The ministry paid N$773 138 in airfare, clothing allowances and subsistence and travel allowances (S&Ts) for the ten-member delegation, but the whole bill was a hefty N$847 138 when corporate gifts and a promotional video are put on the expense sheet of what is arguably one of the most expensive foreign trips by a government ministry.

Initially, the ministry intended hosting a media briefing a week ago upon the arrival of Minister of Works, Transport and Communication Joel Kaapanda, but instead he only spoke to selected journalists regarding the trip.

Addressing the issue, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Shihaleni Ndjaba said the promotion video cost N$69 000 and not N$80 000 as reported while “only” N$5 000 was splurged on corporate gifts and not the N$30 000 reported earlier.

The ministry spent N$80 087 apiece on four of the delegates, N$119 983 on the minister, N$105 625 on Bethuel Mujetenga the director of civil aviation, while on Ndjaba, the permanent secretary, it had to fork out N$84 522.

Sources were aghast that some of the delegates were only going to distribute leaflets and would merely be spectators when aviation technocrats addressed other experts.

The ministry says it is always “very discrete and prudent in its utilization of the financial resources at its disposal”.

Despite the expenditure of N$847 138, the ministry claims it is fully aware of the directive to spend government money economically. It says it consciously applies principles of financial prudence when deciding on its spending priorities. The ministry says the event in Canada was of international significance while its benefits to the economy are enormous.

Responding to concerns from critics of the trip who were also in opposition to the promotional video, as they felt the ministry should simply have requested a ready-made video from the Ministry of Trade and Industry or from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Ndjaba said: “Tender Board exemption was obtained prior to its production.”

On the clerks given the nod for the controversial trip, he said: “The clerical staff were chosen to run the temporary election office and to carry out the necessary administrative work. I must in fact stress that these administrative/clerical staff did a wonderful job, as the election office that they manned produced most of the documentation and communications that were crucial in effectively running the election campaign.”

“The allegation that they were only there to distribute leaflets is an oversimplification of matters, for reasons only known to those who are spearheading the campaign against this victorious trip and event. These people were never meant to go and sit in the assembly, but to run the temporary office that we had at ICAO,” said the permanent secretary.

He explained the more senior and technical staff attended to the general business of the Assembly and sat in committees/commissions that had parallel sessions.

On the reason why Deputy Director of Human Resources Esther Kaapanda was delegated and not the beleaguered Under-Secretary in the Department of Transport and Communication Willy Kauaria under whom civil aviation resorts, he said the deputy director “played a role in among others lobbying in particular among the Arab community – due to her exposure to the Arab culture and language, and among the French-speaking member states due to her communicative French language and in general her good inter-personal skills and human relations skills”.

But sources are adamant the lobbying was not necessary because they feel the mission was a “fait accompli” even before this mission.

“There was nothing to campaign for,” stated a source that wished not to be identified.

Countered the PS. “Kindly be informed that under no circumstances were we guaranteed to win a seat without any campaign,” adding Namibia needed 86 votes and this is far more than the 14 votes that would have come from SADC of which it is a member.

“Also note that out of the 17 states competing only for 13 seats under Part III, Namibia scored second highest with 137 votes after Tunisia and this is a result of our profound lobbying among member states present at the Assembly,” he said.

Other contestants for the thirteen ICAO seats were Republic of Korea, Romania, Tunisia, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and El Salvador among others.

“As the permanent secretary responsible for overall transport and aviation in Namibia, it is not at all far-fetched to attend such a meeting side by side with my minister who is responsible for the same sector at political level,” Ndjaba stated.

“The size of the Namibian team hardly matched the total number of the 1 435 participants that we had to interact and deal with. Participating states, some of whom we competed with under Part III, had delegates as much as 48, 40, 33, 30, 27 etc.,” he said.

Namibia presently collects annual revenue of N$48 million or N$4 million each month from over-flight charges while it also stands to benefit from the US$400 million pledged in scholarships and other assistance to Africa by China.

[worn chair]

I thought Namibia was unanimously elected by the southern african region to represent the region at ICAO from 2007 until 2010?

Why spend a million to lobby votes for a seat which was granted to you many moons ago? Am i missing something?

http://www-sec.icao.int/search?q=cache:YVASVNNqX8EJ:www.icao.int/icao/en/assembl/a36/wp/wp337_en.pdf++site:www.icao.int/icao/en/assembl+namibia&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&client=ICAO

As far as I know they use a alphabetical system to elect countries, and "N" came up. Namibia accepted.

[bigmanatc]

Voel...need to get the pile a little bigger... then..... maybe....
Must admit....the crayfish...the skydivers...the Ugab....the Fly In`s...are a BIG drawcard....!

[rawitact]

big man atc
that is why some stayed for 15 years +
The main reason why the big exodus is hapaning now has not been mentioned yet!:oh:

[B747ATP]

So that's why when ever i tried to get an overflight and landing clearance nobody answered the phone, everyone was in canada! Those poor ATC's are keeping a ship floating full of holes! but it is sinking faster than everyone is anticipating......:(

[Voel]

What happended to F406 madness???

[rawitact]

I think 406 madness got g@&fol fighting :}

At some point they will all give up and join the rats or be part of the holes in the boat. Unfortunately for Namibia most of the good working crew is on the way. :cool:

[bivo]

Yes what happened to 406 madness?:suspect: Might there have been some truth in what was said:hmm:
Hey Big Man ATC long time no here! It is time for the Ugab again:)

[Impi]

"...Any place worse than this?"

Sorry for going back to post nr 11, not noticed this thread till now..

I once (about 4 years ago) met a Brazillian controller who earned 400$US/month - he worked a second job at his local supermarket to supplement his income!!

To answer ur question - yes - I'm sure MANY places are worse!

[worn chair]

Post 11 makes it sound flattering in fact. What was not mentioned was that only 10 of these posts exist througout the whole country. Promotion into this post is only when one becomes vacant.

The rest of the controllers with 3 ratings (aerodrome, approach and area) and around 10 years as ATC take home around 10k. If you work every weekend (which is expected of you) then you can add another 4 to 5k to that deal. So in total you'll be taking home around 15k, including everything.

Expenses: average 3 bedroom house around 850k = 10k p/month
average 5year old second hand car approx 80k = 2k p/month
insurance on above = approx 1500 p/month

Now you have about 1500 left to live on. So forget about being the sole provider for a family here. Without a second income life is really impossible. Thats why the majority of ATC's are involved in extra activities to provide extra income. From offering radio lectures to renovating houses to taxi businesses to dealing in airconditioners, you name it. This has in a recent safety audit been identified to be a huge safety risk as it exhausts staff members and devides their attention.

And dont forget, you work 6 days a week, every weekend! If you dare to take a weekend off, you lose income.

I agree that there are probably places worse off than here. But nothing is being done to improve the situation. The attitude is simply, either fit in or f..k off. And thats very sad cause nobody really wants to leave, our lives are here, our families are here. We are forced...

[Voel]

WC (meaning toilet in German). I can help you out of your misery. Pack up your stuff and act like a highway (fork off). That's your democratic righ. You are part of the problem and not part of the solution. Why didn't you leave when the other guys left some years back when the pay and benefit were even worse than now?

[worn chair]

Voel. (isn't that afrikaans "slang" for dick?)

U mean why didnt I leave at the time when you were negotiating for a job at the DFS? But they didnt offer you enough money?

Just asking...

PS: What on earth gives you the impression that I didnt leave? hmmmm?

[abc.fp]

Is it me or is it getting hot in here? :eek:

[square-head]

Hi worn chair. If you left the circus, what are you whining about? Hope you not that chair that the big man atc used to sit on at the coast. I left the sinking ship many years back, but I guess its still floating. May be not for long, but that's what I thought many moons ago as well.

[126,7]

Voel. (isn't that afrikaans "slang" for dick?)

No, that would be voël. Voel means "feel".

average 3 bedroom house around 850k

Per month? Wowzer thats a lot of cash!:eek:

[bigmanatc]

126.7 Don`t spoil a good story with the facts.....:}

[worn chair]

s-h.

Would that chair you're reffering to be the left front seat of V5AAE? :D

850k for a average 3 bedroom house would equate to approx 10k per month.

[B747ATP]

so voel are the controllers that are leaving part of the problem or ones that are staying behind part the solution? from reading the thread i thought the problem was that the controllers aren't earning enough to live off (surviving is not enough) and still working damn hard to keep the DCA functioning. I know for a fact that the ATC's (when DCA's employees aren't in the office the fone gets diverted to the towers) they always answer the phone, some will help others will just brush you off and tell you to phone another day. I hope for aviations sake up in Nam that safety is never compremised. Quality staff will always out perform Quantity.

[Voel]

Those who ATCs who left saw the circus as a problem. Those who stayed behind, saw the circus as a challenge. What the disgruntled ATCs fail to recognise is, that Government already increased their salaries w.e.f 01 April 2007. Some of them earn 30% and more. In addition they now getting car -, instructors and station allowance (although not all of them, but those in supervisory level).

A new ACC has been build and equipped. So poor radio equipment is no excuse. Tender for the supply of radar will close on the 05th Jan 2008. What more do they want besides better salary. There is noways we can beat ATNS of Serco salaries. Our industry is to small. We can milk them, but who's going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

[126,7]

Heard from a reliable source that its a lot more than money thats the problem in Nam. Also heard that 2 ATCOs have just passed their assessments with ATNS and are now ready to sign the contracts.

[square-head]

I guess politics and affirmative action plays a role as well. But eish, I miss the sun, the biltong and the braai. Here I'm just a plug-in/plug-out ATC. My contribution to aviation is only limited to controlling. The chances of getting higher than ATC is rather limited.

[rawitact]

Voel:
The new salaries have not materialized in total. There are prommisses and more prommisses: NO RESULTS! Will the personal section (Tji) have any "promotional letters" available in the next 7 months?:{:{:{
As Voel stated "the new ACC has been build and equipped. So poor radio equipment is no excuse".
That is not main reason these people are leaving.
ATCs are promoted in FYWB or FYKM to PATCO posts and salaries. The adverts in the newspapers stated clearly that these posts are in WH.:yuk:
One ATC was in EGLL (to FAIL a DEGREE) for over a year on PATCO salary while still on probation???? He is back in WH for over a year now receiving the PATCO salary, with only ACC on his license. (APP training in progress)
(In WH you must have TWR, APP, ACC 5 years to become a PATCO)
This is super fair towards the rest.....:yuk:
:{:sad::{Voel :{:sad::{
"Tender for the supply of radar will close on the 05th Jan 2008. What more do they want besides better salary."
Do you only work for monie?:yuk:
Maybee some want to work and supply the service the companies pay for?:O
Once you have understood that give me a PM.
It is embarrasing to hear what some of these Controllers call SERVICE Congrats to the guys that have and will leave....:

[Voel]

Eish, now I understand.But I don't understand Government.

[sputnik1]

dear voel....
don't you work in the same place??? or have you being daydreaming for the last couple of years.... by reading this forum it looks like managment is not sitting in the same boat as the workers... while the workers are going down you are enjoying a luxury cruise... just remember even the mighty titanic hit an iceberg and went down in quite a fashion....:ouch: while managment spends all money for themselves the workers don,t even get the crumbs.. like rawitact said the rats are leaving the sinking ship...

[rawitact]

Just a Question...:8

Is the crash at Eros Airport linked to the collapse of the DCA or is it just a symptom. ( Voel, please have a look at the definition of symptom):confused:

[Voel]

Sputnik, I don't work here, I'm only present. Yes, I am on a luxury cruise, but with a life vest on. What is your definition of a worker? Do you classify ATC's as workers? They are professionals. By the way, the ATC's in supervisory level earn more money that anybody in DCA management.

[bivo]

Let me have a go at this:)


So ATC'S are leaving because of money. Is that right.
That might be a third of the truth. They are Gatfollllll of the sh...t in this country.

First of all there are ATCO's that have no medical certificate and still work.

The second fact is that ATCO's have been working with no endorsement ( nor a certificate of competency) on their license for a few days. That is a FACT. Anybody can follow it up, even the president of the union. (Voel what do you say about that.... let me guesssss EISH)

The third thing I would like to say, for the people that want to go! MOVE now you are worse than a rottttten apple in the system.(You don't help any thing any-way. You are so N.A.F.Y. { for those that don't know the term[ No Ambition Fu...kall Interest]}!:yuk:

The fourth thing is that there is no just-culture. The stupidity and/or incompetence is blamed on racism, feminism or any thing else.:=

There are ATCO,s in the system that fail subjects, courses and check-outs.:{ and still hold a license:confused:( FACT)


And nobody must say anything:oh::{

[B747ATP]

Seems to me that there are few people who have to let off some steam!

Working for a government or parastatal is never easy but i don't really think that people truely understand the role that ATC's play in the day to day role of aviation, especially in the safety arena!!!!! and how important they are (even to us pilots although we won't admit it out loud) but they have a job for a reason with great responsibility!!!

If this thread helps get a cross the message to someone with power, about the plight of Controllers in Namibia then i think that something has been achieved. (just like a few years ago when there was an expose on Carte Blanche about ATNS. The information had to be made public to improve the system)

[Voel]

Hey B747, it least we get some recognition for what we do. Thanks a lot. I noticed on this or any other forum, that no ATC union or association mentioned anything about "The day of the controller" on the 20 Oct or did I miss something. I hear via grape vines that DCA management is going to higher authorities to inform them of the current state of affairs. Some heads might role (people hear, please note, they don't say)

[abc.fp]

As 747 says, its probably not a bad thing for some ppl to blow off some steam here. I dont think that there is any purpose in attacking each other personally, but it is good for others to know what the conditions that we have to work under are like.

It makes me really sad when people use this platform (or any platform for that matter) to insult each other or group certain colleagues together in a bad light. There is no point in doing that and it simply will not make the system any better. Lets try to grab the challenges by the horns, and create something positive out of all this. If the ATC's stand together, and put their foot down and say that enough is enough, then management is bound to take note. We are blessed with a compitent and sympathetic Minister at the top. Unfortunately many management staff below him do not show the same vision as he does, and hamper his effort in making our working conditions any better. As do some of our administrative support sections. (yes i know they also face challenges)

I think that its fair to say that most ATC's who are still remaining in this system are here for the love of their jobs and this country. If money was the motivating factor, we simply wouldn't still be here.

I also think that its high time that management take note of our working conditions and make genuine efforts to imrove our situation. Please take note that I'm not only talking about money here. It is very frustrating when OT payments are late or when retroactive allowances are not paid for 6 months etc. Why should I sit at work on weekends worrying about bills that i cannot pay? Or why should I spend the little off time that I have generating extra income so that I can pay my bills?

While on shift recently I received a call from my bank informing me that my home-loan payment has not been received by the bank. This payment is directly deducted from my salary and paid to the bank by my salary section. This put me in a situation where I had to find extra money until I was refunded. When I queried the situation, I was told, with a shrug of the shoulders, that it was the fault of the new system which they work with that causes these problems. There was also no way for me to detect this beforehand as no payslips were received because the machine printing them was broken. Fact is that my credit record at the bank has now been affected by this.

Its these little things that add up and cause endless frustration amongst ATC's. Add them to the extra hours that we are expected to put in due to staff shortage, and you have the results as demostrated by the above posts.

If we lose even only one or two of the six ATC's who are currently negotiating for other jobs, we have a huge problem. In fact we already have a huge problem. What makes the pill even more bitter to swallow, is that we have foreseen this problem years in advance. Numerous meetings were held to discuss the staff shortage, on various levels, yet it all fell on deaf ears. Several safety audits held during the past few years have identified the staff shortage as an area of serious concern. Yet nothing was done. Now, rumour has it, that contract positions will be advertised, offering higher salaries than we earn now. Hopefully someone will have the whisdom as to not insult us to such an extent.

EISHHHHH.....

PS: Voel, any birdies whisper anything in your ears re contract positions? What is the progress on the NCAA?

[bigmanatc]

PS you just love contract workers don`t you.... !! :mad: especially when they have far more experience than you....:ugh:

[abc.fp]

BIGman

Dont worry. We'd love to have you back. We miss all the entertainment... :D

[rawitact]

Hi BIVO!:}

Your reply is very true, please just don't attck the guys that are leaving.:=

Checkouts are a joke; NO medical; NO endorsment; NO management; unreliable payments of salary and OT; NO just culture; NO ethics; corruption; etc.

And you call the MOVERS "rotten apples".....:=

The sh..t in this country is peanuts compared to the rest of Africa. (ZIM... crime in SA, etc.)

And nobody may say anything....

ROTTEN APPLE in your face!

[bigmanatc]

I don`t think it will be anytime soon.....

....we just had a pay increase equivalent to your monthly salary...:}

Well done that manager.....:D

[bivo]

rawitact :ooh:

what ever blows you hair back

[zar004]

Well, reading all this on namibia, sounds more like the work of the germans currently working in namibia. None of them give credit to the nam-gov. The minister is hard at work making the airspace safe and all u hear is the salaries are not good. I think its time that they realise this is not they country and pack their bags and go back to Europe. if they think South Africa is the answer than i,ve got news for them, that is also a black country and the chances of them making it there are very bleak!!!!! As far as i know the only good controller is a dead one or one who retired, they should stop calling themselves good controllers( just look at the V5KLB saga). By the way knowing or sleeping with a pilot does not make u a good controller.Call it but what u want (maybe racism) but thats the truth. Get out whille u are still tollerated. I did it and I am HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[zar004]

atc namibia --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Well, reading all this on namibia, sounds more like the work of the germans currently working in namibia. None of them give credit to the nam-gov. The minister is hard at work making the airspace safe and all u hear is the salaries are not good. I think its time that they realise this is not they country and pack their bags and go back to Europe. if they think South Africa is the answer than i,ve got news for them, that is also a black country and the chances of them making it there are very bleak!!!!! As far as i know the only good controller is a dead one or one who retired, they should stop calling themselves good controllers( just look at the V5KLB saga). By the way knowing or sleeping with a pilot does not make u a good controller.Call it but what u want (maybe racism) but thats the truth. Get out whille u are still tollerated. I did it and I am HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[worn chair]

OOPS !!!!

This thing just became racist... Funny how those claiming that other's are racist mostly are themselves.

New to this site JAR? You should post replies on the thread u're reading and not on ATC humour like you did at first. Although it is kinda funny. Anyway, enjoy nightshift. Dont miss any calls.

Bye bye :D

[B747ATP]

I think its time that they realise this is not they country and pack their bags and go back to Europe.......Get out whille u are still tollerated. I did it and I am HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That my friend is more dangerous than anything anyone has said! seems to me you have a problem against europeans! That is racism!!!! You have just become the perfect example of a racist! What would you say if the europeans told all non-europeans to pack their bags and go back to wherever they came from although they were born in europe and know no other place as their home. but that doesn't count am i right! cause then the europeans would be racist. I think that there would be an international crisis!

I bet there a alot of whites working in africa, who are born in africa and proud to be african and yet attitudes like that will be bring a country to its knees! We need each other no matter what your colour and that ZAR004 is the reason why there is brain drain happening in africa. People are sick of this attitude! don't blame the old regime.

Look very carefully at yourself, would you like to pack up your bags and maybe go to your country of birth if your not 100% namibian yourself then?

[sputnik1]

sounds more like the work of the germans currently working in namibia

I think its time that they realise this is not they country and pack their bags and go back to Europe.

As far as i know the only good controller is a dead one or one who retired, they should stop calling themselves good controllers( just look at the V5KLB saga). By the way knowing or sleeping with a pilot does not make u a good controller.Call it but what u want (maybe racism) but thats the truth. Get out whille u are still tollerated. I did it and I am HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you ZAR004, for making these comments you have just proved to everyone why people want to leave! The money is bad yes but what is even worse is the way you treat your fellow collegues. This behaviour is unacceptable in the free and democratic namibia. No matter what anyone has written past and present it was never an issue of racism but quality of service and standards of safety.

You attitude is more dangerous and Minister Kaapanda should see the real reason why the "europeans" are leaving. Cause know we now for a fact the way you feel about your none african collegues even if they were born and grew up in namibia and only have namibian passports!

[bigmanatc]

Voel...have you spotted the dissent amongst the ranks.....? its been there for a long time.... :sad:

[bivo]

B747ATP
Well said :D

[rawitact]

Finally the world knows....

ZAR004:ouch:

ATP747:D

[worn chair]

I smell a nervous sailor... somewhere.....

Hey ZAR, open your mouth so you can change feet!

BIG OOPS hey? :=

[126,7]

None of them give credit to the nam-gov. The minister is hard at work making the airspace safe and all u hear is the salaries are not good. I think its time that they realise this is not they country and pack their bags and go back to Europe.

Sounds like "one colonialist, one bullet" is this moron's way of thinking.

If the minister worked so hard to get the airspace safe, why then is it in this sad state of affairs? Its been in Swapo's hands since 1991 and where has it gone since? Is that also the Germans' fault? Are they the ATCOs working without licenses or the ones who had the midair just to the north of WHV and nothing ever came of it? I think not.
And I seriously doubt we'll hear of ZAR004 again. Recently joined and never to post again......unless under a new pseudonym perhaps.

[abc.fp]

WC

I'm afraid that this forum has reached its sell-by date. People are saying things that they might regret. Lets channel our energy into a more positive direction?

[freesky]

This is now floating around...

WC looks like you have a matter on hand


To all Namibian Air traffic Controllers

13 October 2007

NAMATCA strongly condemns the recent allegations made in the media by a junior controller on the safety of the Namibia Airspace. The allegations made are void of any truth and serve only as sensationalize propaganda from a disgruntled person.

Please note that this controller is known and NAMATCA is currently in negotiations with relevant government organs in the ministry to address this issue on suitable disciplinary that will be taken against this controller. These allegations not only tarnish the international image of the country but have a severe effect on the economy of the country.

Although NAMATCA acknowledges and respects the right of freedom of speech, it also has its limitations the moment it stands as a threat to the rights of others, in this case the Namibian nation as a whole. The Namibian economy strongly relies on tourism which is served mainly through our airspace, as most of our tourists are from Europe and make use of air travel. The allegations made on this website (www.pprune.com (http://www.pprune.com/)) clearly indicate that this controller has no regard for the integrity of this country’s hard earned independence but disturbingly shows this controller is a great threat to aviation safety in Namibia.

NAMATCA thus urged its members, as well as none members, to refrain from such action actions and to consult the relevant officers appointed in the ministry to address any grievances through the proper channels. If any public statements must be made concerning Namibian air space it will be done so with the blessing from the Minister

From the President of the Namibian Air traffic Controllers Association



Very nice!

[worn chair]

This is so typical!

The DCA is falling appart and somebody in NAMATCA has a total disregard towards the profession and the issue at hand. Instead of talking to the Minister about the problems and challanges, they would rather play the blame-game.

Nothing has changed since the board of inquery published their report in the mid 1990s and nothing will.

[sputnik1]

by reading the ZAR-saga looks like ZAR blames the old regime for if it doesn't rain and if it rains he blames them any way ......
hey rawitact... the statement is is s:mad:t.... is NAMATCA afraid of the truth??? wait for the big bang .. again.. and then lets see how they explain that one:yuk:

[rawitact]

Hi sputnik

how do you know me? I was already in the NAMATCA Constitution...

4.2 To promote honourable practice and maintain in the profession a high standard of efficiency and integrity dedicated to the safety of those who seek their livelihood or pleasure in the air.

4.4 To promote discussion, to facilitate the exchange of information, and generally to raise the standard of knowledge of those persons engaged in the profession.

4.11. To maintain the standard of conduct, discipline and reliability among its members which is essential to the service in which they are engaged and to protect the interests of such members through recognised procedural channels.

9.1.1 President

(a) The President shall preside at all Conferences/ Meetings and shall supervise all activities of the Association, enforce observance of the constitution of the Association, ....

ARTICLE 15: CODE OF ETHICS

In order that the dignity and honour of the Air Traffic Control profession may be upheld, that its sphere of usefulness and its benefits may be extended and that members of this Association may be guided by the highest standards of integrity and fair dealing whether as individuals or in Association with others in the aviation industry, the Executive Committee of the Association applies the following Code of Ethics and Conduct for the guidance of the members of the Association:


15.2 Each member shall endeavour to contribute new knowledge to the Air Traffic Services by making known to the aviation world any significant work, improvements or research accomplished.

There is a lot more. Maybe some individuals don't belong to the same Association; which is accidently afiliated to IFATCA.

[sputnik1]

An association normally must support their members... or might it be in this case they only support their own agenda...?????????:confused:

[Plan B]

Anyone know what happened to J's voice at the control? Haven't heard her clear, concise, modulated inflections for a while...she left us?:sad:

[freesky]

Plan B

J got a few days off.

U miss her already? Get used to it!

I also got a nice letter on PM. Anybody wants to see?

[rawitact]

Freesky :cool:

I want to see that! Is it as bad as the previous one?

Did some pidgon have 4 resignations attached? :rolleyes: Can you find out?

[sputnik1]

... heard that that pigeon is heading down south with a couple of applications ,but it dropped off some resignations first:ok:.....

[freesky]

3 have resigned; 1 to follow....

The fare-well party will be on Friday 30 Nov 2007

Everybody seems to be invited!

Venue seems to be somewhere on Eros airport or close by!

More info will be posted as soon as it comes to me.

[rawitact]

:}Anybody expect this?:ugh:

zar004. Happy now?:yuk:

[square-head]

Hey voël,http://www.pprune.org/forums/images/icons/mpangel.gif I guess you need to keep your life west on? Hope you have enough, but mind you, those who left no longer need theirs.:=

[worn chair]

Well well well.

I predicted people leaving. Didn't think it would happen so fast...

I also predicted that it would affect safety in Namibia's skies. Did anyone turn the aircons up?

[sputnik1]

Dear Square head

as predicted the DCA Titanic has hit iceberg and now has started sinking quicker than expected with captain still on board. Hope you can hold your breath long enough for the yellow submarine to save you!!!:ok:

[rawitact]

The Windhoek FIR is the moddern 'Conair' Who conned who?:{

Zim controllers are seen, :}by management:}, as the only option out of this debacle. Which type of contract :8will they be offerd? Since they are specialized in either TWR/APP or ACC it will take some namibians training time and namibian government $$ to get the 4 locals replaced. It is obvious that the namibians are on the loosing side again.:*

IATA had some foresight in declearing this a 126,9 airspace. :D

[freesky]

The Swift Flying Club has been organized for the party.

30 November 2007 from 15h00Z
1 skaap ......:}
bring lots of $$ for booze!:)
Organize a dedicated driver.....(x-girl?)

see you there!

p.s. Air Nam just lost their first A340 co-pilot...(congrats)

[bigmanatc]

What do you oke`s know about braai`ng a skaap...huh...? :8

[sputnik1]

well bigman we know a lot bout a spitbraai... it always depends what you put on the spit....how about a juicy tender corruption story from the management .....or the the back payments that are recieved by certain government officials for some dodgy deals... or just plain a big fat "skaap op die kolle"... by the way you are welcomed to join in on the braai got some cold beers waiting for you....

[rawitact]

:ok:
Is this party at the same location where the telephone lines got burned??
(+-13 Years ago):confused:

[sputnik1]

yup thats the place .... remember we need lots of wood ...lot of s..t to be burned...

[bigmanatc]

Is this party at the same location where the telephone lines got burned??
(+-13 Years ago)



I was`nt party to that.....promise :}

Thanks Sputnik ...but I`ll sit this one out.....enjoy :ok:

[zar004]

It will cost money any ways even the training for the 4 ex locals costed something.who ever they going to work for will spend money is it not.

[worn chair]

Howzit ZAR...

Welcome back. Thought we lost you for ever there...

Now you keep on thinking along those lines and things will be great. You're really making progress here.

Well done.

[B747ATP]

Hi zar once again you have shown your fantastic skills at spelling and lack of education towards the serious nature of losing qualified staff. Have balls to be a good controller, support your collegues that have the skills and help those that lack them. But dont worry with so many of your kind staying behind i'll make sure that i fly low level so you don't have to give me a service that my company pays for and also that you don't strain your brain. Ps. Living so many years in the bush is shining through!

[sputnik1]

might it be that if you find people who are an asset in their workfield you are willing to invest capital to keep them so they remain an investment for your company...????? guess if other companies see that investment and you don't because your way of thinking is on a more political platform, then you must wake up and smell the coffee.....:hmm:

[rawitact]

Do you remember this game? Came in various versions... Sometimes it had moles; rabbits; crocodiles; etc. The main idea was to hit IT whenever IT lifted ITs head.

game renameed to ZAR004.:}

On a more serious note:
There are a few that think in zar004's line. Unfortunately they make life intolerable for the masses.

[sleeeper]

are you chaps finished?can we play now.

[freesky]

Hi Sleeeper;

Got a hammer, hopefully the 'ZAR of russia' will lift his head....
Your turn. Just make it a good one.

I'm gone.

[CuitoCuanavale]

To the ZAR004 fellow, just caught up with the progress of this thread, sounds like your postings thus far are a wind-up.

Irrespective, those ‘germans’, as you put it, are in all probability the glue that has held together the ATC service delivery system in Namibia. As I stated near the beginning of this thread, I had trained a small portion of them, and from all indications from the performance during their course, not only would they do extremely well in ATNS, but more than likely put many current ATNS ATC’s to shame with their skills.

Racism, sleeping with a pilot for career advancement…….really!!!!,…….buddy, clearly you, judging merely from your nescient elocutionary display and your somewhat evident weak capture of the mechanics of ATM are someone who lives and dies by the blame projection game, using that as the only answer to your in all probability, questionable skills when on duty.

[worn chair]

So.....

How are things in Nam ATC? Heard the birdies whisper that the pohpoh is hitting the fan?

mmmmmmmm

Not good...

[rawitact]

Seems there were a few mishaps during the last few weeks in the Windhoek ACC...
:ugh:(lost the 4 realys in north.
Some ATC was aparently refusing to have the position, he was working on, removed to make way for the new untested equipment. This ATC is now at home on long leave):ugh:
Lets hope the final move is done correctly, and not on a "NOW or NEVER" approach.:=

[freesky]

The farewell party for 3 of ATCs that have resigned will be hald today at the Swift Club.:} Starting at 1600Z:)

ALL are invited.:D

P.s. Nearly ALL

[Voel]

Thanks, but I have to give it a miss as I have to cover their shifts.:ouch:

Enjoy it. Heard rumours that the cops are around. Hou matigheid voor oë.::=

[126,7]

How was the party? Any incriminating pics? :E

[sleeeper]

The party was good. should have more of them.
not to say more ATC's must leave. but brings good memory's back.
only 5 ATC's there. what a shame:yuk:
Good to see some friends and pilots.
To freesky. the HAMMER will fall sooner or later. faster than you think:)
Have fun you all

[square-head]

Not all the ATC's are reading this forum. So I guess that they did not did not read the unofficial invitation. But I believe there's gonna be another big party?:O

[freesky]

The party was very good!!!:}
Enought booze and food!:D

Thouse that missed it; just to bad.:O

[worn chair]

Yer all too busy to talk now? :rolleyes:

[rawitact]

Just heard that 3 specific operational ATCs had a meeting with higher authority.:}
According to them there is no staff shortage in Namibia.:D
What do you then call 1 OFF day in 2 weeks?:=

[worn chair]

I'm getting scared! Didn't know it was so bad...

But you know how it goes? You fry somebody's brain, overwork them, underpay them, do this for long enough, and nwala...

They can stand up all by themselves and talk rubbish and actually believe it too. :ugh: Just a pity they'll never realise just how stupid they looked. Even the potplants blushed.

Namibia doesn't have staff shortage? There was staff shortage back in the day. So what is the next level after staff shortage then called?

[rawitact]

Don't be scared. It has been like this for some time...:ugh:

Heard there was another meeting. Aparantly the potplants were still there...:\
Looks like higher authority now has the correct facts and figures. Maybee somethings will change.:ok:

... thank you for the info per PM.:D

P.s. Any info from ICAO?

[square-head]

ATC's hear (please note they don't say) that the Minister attended a braai on short notice and that he had some nice and wise words for those ATC's present.:ok: I wish I could be there, as its quite damm cold here in the northern hemisphere.:( Hope you guys down there all have a wet and merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I'm gonna enjoy my white Christmas. I might see you (those who are left behind) in February next year.http://www.pprune.org/forums/images/icons/mpangel.gif

[B747ATP]

just got a call last night from a friend in Windhoek saying that a C210 had crashed just east of eros airport. Apparently 1 local pilot and 5 tourists. Information coming through is that the ATC on duty offered the secondary rwy. With the Nam heat and a fully loaded aircraft off that runway i wonder why the pilot chose it!:eek:

[Voel]

Because he was **** scared of the windshear on the other runway.

[freesky]

I heard there is an interesting article in the Namibian Sun Newspaper.:E

Could somebody please obtain the article and PM it or maybe place it here?:oh:

Wondering what is going on there?:ugh:

[Voel]

freeksy same article as by properpellerpilot on this forum. http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=308173&page=2:ugh: Highly unethical of the journalist, quoting "aviation experts" who have no knowledge of air traffic control.:confused:

Also heard rumors that an ATC failed to report for duty last night, leaving the shift severly understaffed.:=

[freesky]

What is that?:yuk:

As per various other posts... When last was a full days shift in Windhoek staffed as required? How many nights in the last month were worked like the one in question... (do you need examples?):D

[Voel]

And you are leading by example!!!! ....... :{ Enjoy Germany:ok:

[worn chair]

Many months have now passed... I would suspect that things have improved significantly...

Right?

[square-head]

Just received bad news. My application was turned down, although I meet all the requirements. Heard that they have recruited 8 new candidates. It appears that they have new sailors now, but still left with the old capatin steering the ship. Heard that the ship is still floating. Anybody know for how long?

[worn chair]

So Voel.... (no pun intended this time)

I hear disturbing rumours. Tell me its not true!

Our colleague who likes to hide behind his incompetancies as far as air traffic control is concerned, by calling everybody around him who has a lesser tan than himself, a racist, had a serious airprox the other day?

Almost took out two 1900's? hmmmm? Is it true?

And more disturbing.... I understand that no action whatsoever is taken against him? Even after he tried to "hide" the incident and didnt report it as the law requires?

And to put the cherry on the top... I understand that his licence wasn't even valid? oops.... Did I say too much?

Fellow aviators, take note, and put pressure on the DCA... Else you might be killed when the circus comes to your town...

PS: And never ever dare to call it "windhoek information", as its supposed to be called "windhoek control"... Although not much controlling takes place at times!

[Doodlebug]

" Is this party at the same location where the telephone lines got burned??
(+-13 Years ago) "

Yup, that was one of our better parties :E

Last time I was on Eros I saw they've torn our old hangar down, and the spot where we lit that (in)famous fire has now been paved and has aeries parked on it... :(

You ATC's were great when I was there! Jochen, Roland, Misha, Andres 1 and 2, Jackie, Rico, Susanne, all the others whose names I've forgotten.
Sad to hear it's become so bad. Wish you guys well.

[Voel]

Eish, going from bad to worse!

[freesky]

Heard a birdie sing that some other licence was also not valid...
Some sailor having to explain to some *andstripe lawyer.

[abc.fp]

And so it continues.... A whole lot of bark and no bite....

And to Voel... You dont seem to deny any of those allegations made by "worn chair"? Could it be true that some of your controllers work without valid licences?

Very disturbing! Is this what industry pays fees for?

[square-head]

Voel told me it does not help to bark and bite anymore without the support of management :{. I believe that management from the Minister down to the Director are new and pretty ignorant of what's going on.:ugh:

[square-head]

Ou ja forgot, is it true abc.fp, that this character refused to be investigated by the safety officer (just because of racial issues).

[Voel]

There's huge back log in incident inevestigations. :\ Hopefully some outside assistance will get rid of that:D. Chances for cover-up is therefore non-negotiable.:=

[abc.fp]

Its just weird to me, and I see this in many businesses...

There is always one person who gets away with murder. No-one is prepared to clip their wings. They can do and say whatever they want, and get away with it.

But as someone I know always says, give them enough rope, and they'll hang themselves. Well I'm waiting in anticipation.

[freesky]

How much more good tallent will be wasted?