CEO ANNUAL REPORT: AGM NOVEMBER 2011

LEON DILLMAN

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011

INTRODUCTION 

Being in business since 1944 and being part of most of the major changes and challenges within the commercial general aviation industry in Southern Africa, CAASA surely has had an interesting roller coaster ride during these interesting times. From the records of CAASA, it is clear that various influential aviators assisted CAASA and the industry to develop this Association to where it is today. CAASA however faces various challenges and it is clear that some misconceptions and negative attitudes do exist in terms of CAASA's mandate and its influence. However, in evaluating the mandate of CAASA and reviewing the actual impact that CAASA has on the commercial general aviation industry, it is difficult to understand why CAASA only have 143 members - surely the majority of the industry should be members. As part of CAASA's revitalisation programme, more emphasis should be placed on the clear communication of CAASA's mandate and impact on the industry, directly and indirectly.

During the past year, CAASA has been part of various committees, forums and work groups which all have a direct bearing on the mandate of CAASA - to promote and protect the interests of commercial general Aviation in Southern Africa. CAASA further actively engaged Government, Government departments and other aviation stakeholders to resolve issues pertaining to its constituency. In engaging with these role players, CAASA's intention is not to attack these entities and try to prove the "power" of CAASA, but rather to work closely with them to ultimately find a reasonable and mutually acceptable solution within a safe framework.

It needs to be emphasised that CAASA supports aviation safety and will not promote or engage in activities that might endanger the safety of the aircraft, the aviation personnel and/or their passengers.

CAASA is the lead partner for the Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (AAD) 2012 and as lead partner currently spends a lot of time on the planning for this event. It needs to be mentioned that CAASA would struggle to survive on its membership income and relies extensively on the funds generated through this funding initiative to fulfil its mandate. As lead partner, CAASA is placing emphasis on the whole general aviation sector and has included various initiatives to promote general aviation participation in the Exhibition.

It has been a very exiting year for the full time staff members of CAASA; besides the appointment of the new CEO, a Deputy CEO position was created on CAASA's structure and Mr JP Truter was subsequently appointed into this position. Under the new CEO, greater emphasis has been placed on the restructuring of the administration and management systems (including financial management) within the CAASA office environment and it can be reported that these systems are sound, running smoothly and are in line with good corporate governance practices and policies.

In the medium term the Association has implemented a CAASA Revitalisation Programme aiming to strengthen CAASA's bargaining power and increasing its influence within the commercial general aviation industry, ultimately providing better, and more direct results for the members and the commercial general aviation industry as a whole. CAASA will also aim to eradicate the existing misconceptions and negative stigmas attached to The Association and celebrate the foreseen growth of CAASA during 2014, when CAASA is celebrating its 75^th anniversary.

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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.