State of Disaster - AVIATION

[John Boucher]

NOTAM
(A1285/20 NOTAMNQ)FAXX/QXXXX/IV/NBO/E/000/999/5152S01651E999
A)FAJA FACA FAJO B)2003262200 C)2004170001
E)ALL INTL, REGIONAL AND DOM FLT (INCLUSIVE OF GEN AND RECREATIONAL
AVIATION) PROHIBITED, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE RISK CAT OF THEIR COUNTRY
OF ORIGIN. ONLY FLT FOR ESSENTIAL AIR CARGO AND SER WILL BE ALLOWED.)

Good evening everyone

The Republic of South Africa will be in a state of LOCK DOWN from the 27th March 2020 for 21 days. I attach the amended regulations pertaining to the Disaster Management Act of 2002. Please take note of SECTION 11B in its entirety and then 11G. "Persons who contravene regulation 11B(1) and (4) shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to a fine or to imprisonment ...." This Lock Down entails that you may not fly. Normal aviation is GROUNDED.

There are several aviators that are trying to look for excuses and find loopholes as to why they may and have to fly adding that there is nothing preventing them, including the prescriptions in a NOTAM that will definitely be published in this regard. Their comments and opinions are being bandied on the likes of WhatsApp Groups etc. Folks, the situation is serious.

Please take note that it wont be CAA Enforcement dealing with the matter but rather the SAPS and the State. Should we as a nation (and aviators) not give our full co-operation, more stringent regulations will most definitely be imposed and failing, that even more drastic intervention by government be implemented. We sincerely do not want a State of Emergency invoked!!

Final-lockdown-regulations-1.pdf

(497.58 KiB) Downloaded 144 times

[John Boucher]

Addition information for industry ...

An Important Industry Communique from the CAA dated 26 March 2020.

SACAA Industry Communique - Corona Virus 26 March 2020.pdf.pdf.pdf.pdf

(237.83 KiB) Downloaded 232 times

[John Boucher]

SACAA Specific Industry Response Plan during the Lock-down - General Exemptions

General Exemption Covid-19 26 March 2020.pdf

(768.84 KiB) Downloaded 276 times

[Wingover1]

I believe there is a flight School that is starting up on Monday wonder how the students will log their training and flight folio hours on the trikes:roll:

[John Boucher]

Tell us more...

[John Boucher]

Good morning everyone. the 1st May heralds the day with possibly the most fitness aware (and not) people out between 06h00 & 09h00 this morning. Wives walking their husbands and others walking their dogs , joggers and cyclists. Wish we could say the same about a brekkie fly-in ... Several submissions have been submitted attempting to get a relaxation of the imposed lock down rules on general and recreational aviation. Our industry is governed by pertinent regulations such as pilot currency and engine maintenance. Contrary to those that have lashed out a CAA and blaming them for not relaxing the situation don't quite understand that the DoT as part of the DMC control what happens. There is a plethora of opinions and arguments which adds to the total frustration of all aviators trying to comply yet not allowed to comply - a conundrum if ever. The MISASA team worked till late last night to contribute to a submission from Aeroclub to the DoT. LEt me be clear, we have incredible support and co-operation from CAA in the matter and just hope that the DCA, Poppy Khoza can convince people like Fikile of the impending dilemma being created in aviation (I'm not even mentioning other sectors in SA that are affected!) Let's hope that sanity prevails, a quality in short supply in these troubled times. I hope for a very positive outcome. In the meantime, be safe and healthy! Regards... JB Chairman - MISASA

[John Boucher]

Message from the Aeroclub SA Vice Chairman Marthinus Potgieter

I sincerely hope you are well and keeping safe. I thought it would be appropriate to follow up on our last communique and give some feedback about what the Exco has been busy with. As most of you are aware, we lodged an application to the Minister of Transport last Sunday requesting a relaxation under SA Covid Level 4 for us to be able to perform Aircraft Maintenance Flights. As some might have seen as a video clip has been doing the rounds on social media, the Director General of Transport announced that such flights will be approved.

We are fortunate to have been able to make direct contact with the Department of Transport and have submitted further detail regarding the request. We are awaiting their detailed instructions possibly later this week as to exactly how these flights will be conducted and as from when. The final approval will most probably appear in a Government Gazette or a NOTAM. I must thank the Director and Senior Managers at SACAA for supporting this application and motivating it to DOT. Also, I must commend the individuals at DOT with whom I have been dealing as they have an extremely positive and proactive approach. We have highlighted the importance of lifting restrictions on AMO’s, AME’s and AP’s as well as ferry flights to maintenance organisations and I am sure it will be considered. Please do not shoot the messenger if the situation changes as we have recently seen with the extended ban on cigarettes.

On Friday Rob completed another application that deals with Levels 3, 2 and 1 as part of an Industry group forum. This application was submitted to a private convener appointed by the Director of SACAA whom we support whole heartedly. This application deals with the introduction of relaxation of regulations for ATO’s and instruction, and POSSIBLY some forms of recreation. This application forms part of a comprehensive industry view that Aviation especially non-scheduled & GA is a controlled environment with a low risk profile where there is low people density in its operations, thus easier to manage, even by softening many activities to be able to take place under Level 4. There will be another Industry forum to be held this week to finalise the application.

I would like to thank all the Chairs of AeCSA Sections who responded on very short notice. We live in a different world and work on very critical timeframes. We want to say a big thank you to John, Rowena and the rest of the team at MISASA who gave us a very comprehensive SOP on very short notice. It was extremely heart-warming to see the humble and unselfish response of some sections and members who did not just consider their own selfish needs but had an objective view of the bigger picture - thank you. I am proud to be part of individual’s like that. Also, we want to express our sincere appreciation to Kev Storie and the CAASA team for continuously sharing information with us.

We will keep you informed as all these subjects play out. Please be patient and responsible; the AeCSA Exco is trying their level best and spends many hours working to obtain relaxation for the Recreation Industry.

I will be requesting information regarding your insurance requirements as it has become my portfolio and I will be engaging with Dennis Jankelouw’s representative regarding group benefits so please formulate what the AeCSA can do for you and your section in this area. I will also engage with other specialists in this field.

Best Regards
Marthinus Potgieter (Vice Chairman)

[John Boucher]

The NOTAM dated 30/04 to 31/05 is still current until further notice. The message that is sent to applicants for permits to CAA refers "The regulations regarding these flights have not been promulgated as yet, we are expecting them in the next few days. Once they have been promulgated the requirements and process to follow to obtain approval will be issued via NOTAM. Accordingly, please monitor the NOTAM and make application when the regulations are in place". The gazette has made certain things possible for CAA and we are in consultation. However, I am not going to bomb a whole lot of conjecture or opinion out there until we have a firm answer and direction. This announcement will come from a central point (Aeroclub interaction with CAA) and then distributed. Trying to interpret what is written in the gazette is causing people to make serious assumptions and incorrectly so. JB

PART 01 OF 02
(A1591/20A02 NOTAMR A1590/20
Q)FAXX/QXXXX/IV/NBO/E/000/999/5152S01651E999
A)FAJA FACA FAJO B)‪2004301815‬ C)‪2005311000‬ EST
E)COVID-19:
ALL INTL, REGIONAL AND DOM FLT (INCLUSIVE OF GEN AND RECREATIONAL
AVIATION) PROHIBITED, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE RISK CAT OF THEIR COUNTRY
OF ORIGIN, EXC THOSE FLT AUTHORISED BY THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT OR
FLT AUTHORISED BY THIS NOTAM.
1)REPATRIATION OF FOREIGN NATIONALS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES ARE
ALLOWED SUBJ THE FLW COND:
A)CHARTER FLT MAY ENTER WITH CREW, NO PAX ALLOWED.
B)CREW MAY NOT DISEMBARK AND OPERATORS OF SUCH FLT TO ENSURE THAT FLT
AND DUTY TIMES ARE ADHERED TO UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES THROUGH
PROVISION OF RELIEF CREW.
2)EVACUATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONALS FM FOREIGN COUNTRIES ARE
ALLOWED SUBJ THE FLW COND:
A)PAX SHOULD HAVE FULLY PAID RETURN FLT TICKET.
B)PAX WILL BE QUARANTINED FOR UP TO 21 DAYS.
C)CREW MAY DISEMBARK SUBJ MANDATORY QUARANTINE LAWS AS APPLICABLE.
3)AIR AMBULANCE OPS ARE ALLOWED SUBJ THE FLW COND:
A)MEDICAL EVACUATION FLT MAY NOT CARRY PAX OTHER THAN CREW AND
PATIENTS.
B)CREW AND PATIENTS SHALL BE SUBJ APPLICABLE QUARANTINE LAWS.
FLIGHTS NOT FOR THE PURPOSES OF REPATRIATION, EVACUATION, ACFT IN
STATE OF EMERG, DOMESTIC AND INTL AIR CARGO OR AIR AMBULANCE OPS ARE
REQ TO OBTAIN WRITTEN PERMISSION FOR EACH FLT FM DEP OF TRANSPORT,
PRIOR TO THE FLT DEPARTING.
)
PART 02 OF 02
(A1591/20B02 NOTAMR A1590/20
Q)FAXX/QXXXX/IV/NBO/E/000/999/5152S01651E999
A)FAJA FACA FAJO B)‪2004301815‬ C)‪2005311000‬ EST
E)
LIASON WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT FOR APPROVAL WILL BE PERFOMED
BY THE SA CAA, ALL APPLICATIONS FOR APPROVAL BY THE DEP OF TRANSPORT
MUST BE MADE IN WRITING AND SUBMITTED TO SACAA, MARY STEPHENS EMAIL:
STEPHENSMA(AT)CAA.CO.ZA AND NEIL DE LANGE EMAIL:
DELANGEN(AT)CAA.CO.ZA.
THE APPLICATION MUST DETAIL THE NEED FOR THE FLIGHT, SPECIFICS
RELATED TO THE OPS AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE CIPC (COMPANIES AND
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMMISSION) ESSENTIAL SERVICE APPROVAL LETTERS
FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE FLT.
ONLY TECHNICAL, OVERFLIGHTS, ACFT WISHING TO REFUEL, ACFT OPS RELATED
TO HUMANITARIAN AID, RELIEF FLT AND OTHER SAFETY RELATED OPS AND
ESSENTIAL SER FLT WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR APPROVAL. NO PAX FM
TECHNICAL FLT LDG MAY DISEMBARK. DISEMBARKATION OF CARGO CREW IS
PERMITTED SUBJ QUARANTINE LAWS APPLICABLE. CARGO FLT WILL BE SUBJ
SANITISATION RQMNTS. ACFT IN STATE OF EMERG (ADDN SDBY STAFF WILL BE
AVBL AT FAPE, FABL, FAUP, FAPP, AND FAKN IN ADDN TO FALE, FAOR AND
FACT).

[John Boucher]

Please find attached :

General Notice #. AIR-2020/001-COVID-19 - MAINTENANCE RELATED FLIGHTS DURING LOCKDOWN (Revision 1)

General Notice # PEL-2020/003 -COVID-19 - RESUMPTION OF TRAINING and E-LEARNING (Revision 2)

[John Boucher]

This from Johan Armstrong at CAA ...

Good day all

Please take note of GENERAL NOTICE #. AIR-2020/001- COVID-19. This Notice is ONLY applicable to aircraft maintenance engineers, approved persons, ground Staff, inspection and servicing, or maintenance of aircraft as per the Regulations issued under Government Gazette No.43271 of 4 May 2020.

It is not applicable for relocation flight or any other flights other than maintenance related supported by the manufacturer and not the local rep.

If an application does not comply with the set-out requirement, including supporting documentation, the application will be rejected by the CAA, meaning you will need to start all over again and move to the back of the line.

Should you have any queries regarding this issue, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards,
Johan Armstrong
Senior Airworthiness Inspector
Aviation Safety Operations
Tel: 011 545 1299 | Fax: 086 545 2288 | Cell: 083 451 2618| Email:armstrongj@caa.co.za | www.caa.co.za

[John Boucher]

Maintenance Related Flights – Aircraft Engine and System Health

Procedure in respect of the requirement for approval as provided for in Section 7(4) – Maintenance-related flight – SPECIFIC CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS REQUIRED as contained in Government Gazette 43271 of 4 May 2020.

Due to the current situation of the Covid-19 lockdown effect on Aviation operations and more specifically the effect on maintaining aircraft airworthiness, elements to be considered in this regard:

Costly inhibiting of aircraft engines and systems need to be avoided, and the re-commissioning of same.
Promotion of General Aviation safety through continued airworthiness flights and maintaining the health of aircraft, this at the same time also promotes pilot recency.

To provide a service to General & Recreational Aviation, the Aero Club and Commercial Aviation Association of South Africa have collaborated with industry to provide a web-based application to streamline the processing of applications for Maintenance-related flights as a joint venture with the SACAA.

The application is available here www.aerosys.co.za/aeroclub (User Manual http://www.aeroclub.org.za/wp-content/u ... tem1_4.pdf – please read it). Note that this application was developed from scratch in a matter of days, thus may still have teething problems. Contact us if you have problems.

The procedure in more detail is covered in the CAA General Notice # GAD-2020/001 Revision 1 as published on the CAA website. It supplements the General Notice # AIR-2020/001-COVID-19 which covers maintenance-related positioning flights and maintenance test flights. This procedure is only applicable for flights to promote the Continued Airworthiness of aircraft.

This Application was independently developed by industry, adopted by the SACAA, and facilitated by the Aero Club of SA and Commercial Aviation Association of SA. It bears no cost to the user, and the facilitators shall not be held harmful or responsible for any actions arising from using the service. Following this system is voluntary, and does not preclude anyone from approaching the SACAA directly for flight authorisation.

In summary: The application registers users (owners/pilots) to provide details of aircraft to be flown, upload documentation, whereby the Aero Club and CAASA staff will assist in checking validity prior to submission to the CAA who will provide approvals. Each step of the application process will keep the user informed on the status of the application by email and sms, where once approved, flight activation takes place within a 7-day window of the approval date, whereby flight start and end is to be recorded which will reflect as a live link for the CAA & ATNS to observe.

Note that all road trips to airfields you will need to have your own authorisations, however, the Gov Gazette notice should be sufficient.

The Engine Preservation Protocols can be downloaded here ... https://www.aeroclub.org.za/engine-pres ... rototocol/

NTCA PROTOCOLS FOR MAINTENACE FLIGHTS ALL ENGINES on the Aeroclub portal is LIVE. Applicants have to download the latest protocols and submit with their applications. Please note that CAA will consider and accept other preservation protocols if supplied by the OEM's or if approved in an aircrafts AMP/AMS. The OEM's published protocols take preference.