AWSA News 1 March 2009

AWSA NEWS 1 MARCH 2009

1. PROPOSED SAWS CHARGES
2. CAA WORKSHOP ON PPL EXAMS
3. CAA EMPLOYING PROTEM INVESTIGATORS
4. AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS FOR GAUTENG AND NORTH WEST
5. MINISTER CONFIRMS DELAY IN ACCIDENT REPORTS
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1. PROPOSED SAWS CHARGES
The DEAT has published the proposed SAWS charges in Government Gazette 31912 on 20 February 2009. Comment is required within 30 days of the notice. The Gazette honours the commitment to support General Aviation by continuing to exempt GA aircraft under 2 000kgs and also aircraft between 2 000 and 4 999 kgs on VFR flights.
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2. CAA WORKSHOP ON PPL EXAMS
The SACAA has invited Aviation Training Organisations to nominate flight instructors to attend a workshop to review the current PPL examination question database. It is intended that the workgroup will comprise 4 to 6 members. Blake Vorster of the SACAA is coordinating the workgroup.
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3. CAA EMPLOYING PROTEM INVESTIGATORS
The Accident & Incident Investigation department of the CAA recently advertised for suitably qualified persons to be trained as investigators to assist the CAA. This move is welcomed as proper and expeditious accident investigation with proper published conclusions can only improve safety.
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4. AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS FOR GAUTENG AND NORTH WEST
There will be significant restrictions in airspace over Johannesburg and Rustenberg during the period 16 to 19 March 2009 during the trial of the security procedures for the 2010 World Cup.
No flights will be allowed into an area with a radius of 50 NM centred on the 2010 stadiums in Johannesburg and Rustenberg without prior permission from the SAAF. Aircraft entering the airspace without permission will be subject to interception and possible prosecution. For further details follow the links on the CAA website - http://www.caa.co.za/
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5. MINISTER CONFIRMS DELAY IN ACCIDENT REPORTS
In a written answer to a question in Parliament the Minister of Transport , Jeff Radebe, confirmed that the SACAA has not completed reports on any of the 190 accidents which occurred during 2008. Minister Radebe said that a “review of the 2008 accidents identify human factors as the primary cause of the accidents and these can be categorised as mainly poor decision making, error of judgement and lack of skill and experience. Mechanical defects and maintenance are involved as a minority causal factor.”
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Compiled by the monitors of AWSA