CAA and Non Type Certified Aircraft (NTCAs)
On 17 August 2005 CAA issued a moratorium on the issue of Authority to Fly Permits for ex-military aircraft by the publication of a notice on its web site. This moratorium was lifted by the publication of AIC 18.44 dated September 2005 It appears as it was done as a result of threatened legal action and objections from aircraft owners. The AIC indicated that a discussion document would be issued by 27 October 2005.
CAA has now issued a Discussion Document "On The Safety & Security Concerns & Proposals Surrounding The Certification, Continued Airworthiness & Operational Aspects Pertaining To Non-Type Certified Aircraft In South Africa" with proposed legislation changes.
The document proposes significant restrictions of the use of all NTCAs (ie not limited to ex-military NTCAs). These restrictions are based on the premise that NTCAs are not as safe as Type Certified Aircraft and that the current regulations expose "the public flying on the NTCA, particularly as passengers, the public and property on the ground, other aircraft (including ICAO compliant aircraft) are exposed to unacceptable risks."
- AIC18-44 (pdf 173 kb)
- CAA Discussion Document (pdf 137 kb)
The discussion document is open for public response until 15 December 2005. Responses must be emailed to info@caa.co.za
The Chairman and General Manager of the Aero Club of South Africa held a meeting with the Commissioner of Civil Aviation yesterday on 16th November 2005. A report of this meeting to the members of the Board of the Aero Club is attached below. As can be seen it is in the interest of all general aviation if a response is sent to the CAA before 15 November 2005.
- Aero Club statement (pdf 9 kb)
A public meeting was called by the Commissioner of Civil Aviation on 26 January 2006 to address the issue. The meeting was well attended by pilots who were concerned with the proposals by CAA. From all reports it appears as if the meeting achieved nothing apart from the Commissioner admitting that CAA was not functioning properly due to the post of CEO being vacant. Futher meetings would be held and further documents would be issued. The ball is firmly in the court of CAA. We await further developments.
After a period of dormancy this issue has now raised its head again. It is almost impossible to obtain a build number of register a NTCA aircraft with CAA. High level meeting have been held between Aero Club and the SACAA. A policy document will be issued shortly.
Contact AWSA at awsa@awsa.co.za if you would like any of these documents faxed to you or supplied in another format.