:: CEO ANNUAL REPORT

From the desk of the CEO – Kim Gorringe - February 2009

I am pleased to announce that CAASA has made substantial progress during the past year with some important new initiatives. We have reached out further than ever before to both our industry and the broader public.

CAASA Reaching Out

In March 2008, CAASA, AMOSA and HASA, started on a country-wide road show to connect and communicate with the larger General Aviation sector. We needed to meet the industry, brief them on our activities, and obtain advice on any geographically specific issues requiring our attention. To date we have visited four general aviation airports, namely Wonderboom, Rand and Virginia, and Nelspruit. In light of the magnificent response received thus far, especially in areas outside of Gauteng, we intend visiting all the major aviation centres to obtain first-hand information on what is happening on the ground (and, of course, the air).

We were also there at the Maponya Mall in Soweto to market careers in Aviation, Aerospace and Defence. In addition, our friends in the aviation media are working to muster support for the Association and to publicise our many successes.

CAASA Achievements

We have managed to resolve the following important issues with the SACAA within a short space of time:

* Addressing complaints regarding the promptness of service received from the SACAA Certification Section.
* Dispensing with the requirement for SACAA Inspectors to conduct factory visits for the issuing of initial Certificates of Airworthiness when new aircraft are purchased. This will result in substantial savings to the industry.
* Persuading the SACAA to re-introduce the "H" and "R" helicopter registration designators thereby facilitating easier identification of rotorcraft.
* Limiting certain proposed restrictions on flight training in FAD 70E that would financially prejudice flight training schools.
* Opposing the de-commissioning of the LY NDB and persuading SACAA and ATNS to replace the cloud break procedure.

Notwithstanding our viewpoints, the CAASA maintains co-operative relationships with all statutory service providers and regulators.

CAASA Strategies and Inputs

CAASA, together with AATOSA and AMOSA have formulated a skills development strategy for flight and technical training. In terms of the strategy followed, all members will co-operate to access funding. The necessary skills development grant applications have been submitted to the TETA. The Association, with the assistance of AMOSA will apply to the National Skills Development Fund to set up a training scheme for 12 black pilots to assist the industry in meeting Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) scorecard targets going forward.

Regarding B-BBEE, CAASA arranged 2 seminars to explain the legislative requirements of B-BBEE to the industry. We have also made various written and oral submissions to Government on the proposed Draft Domestic Aviation Charter and Scorecard. Although our request that the turnover requirement be changed or increased, so that very small aviation companies are not crushed, has fallen on deaf ears, we will continue to engage the Departments of Trade and Industry and Transport on this important issue.

CAASA, via the media, has brought to Government attention, our industry's concern about the potentially negative impact of the World Cup Soccer 2010 on our sector. This has resulted in the SA Air Force, SAPS, ATNS and DoT, consulting us about the security measure and airspace restrictions that will exist over this period. We have been assured that there will be minimum disruption, but will continue to remain abreast of airspace security planning and what permission must be obtained to operate during this period. We will continue to ensure that everything possible is done to minimise harm to the industry and especially the flight schools.

On a more personal note, the Commissioner for Civil Aviation has invited me to serve on an "Advisory Safety Panel" to review accident and incident reports produced by the SACAA. I have gladly accepted as it provides an opportunity for the Industry to contribute towards identifying the causes of aviation accidents and incidents, and implementing measure to improve aviation safety standards.

Our successes achieved over the past year will undoubtedly stand the Association in good stead as we enter 2009. A proven track record will make the Association more attractive to prospective members. I believe that in 2009 (our sixty-fifth birthday), we will achieve a significant increase in membership and a further expansion of the influence that CAASA wields in the industry.

Regards
Kim

Confidentiality note: The CAASA newsletter and CEO report is intended for information purposes only. If you wish to use or republish anything contained herein I urge and encourage you to please contact myself or the President of CAASA for prior written approval.