SA aviation 'in good hands'

2007-11-29 18:05

Johannesburg - The South African aviation industry is in good hands, Aviation Watch South Africa (AWSA) said on Thursday.

In a statement responding to recent aviation incidents, AWSA spokesperson Paul van Tellinger said it was noteworthy that not one life was lost nor one injury sustained by anyone.

Van Tellinger said: "The role presently played by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) under the leadership of its CEO Zakes Myeza has so far been unnoticed.

"A vote of confidence in Myeza by industry representative bodies will be communicated to Transport Minister Jeff Radebe, shortly."

He said major industry players in the general aviation community were of the view that Myeza had led the way in creating a fertile environment conducive to aviation safety.

"His approach is a breath of fresh air in a beleaguered industry and it bodes well for the improvement and maintenance of high safety standards now and in the future," he said.

Van Tellinger said the view that stability was required to ensure high training standards was supported by representative aviation bodies.

High standards of training

These included Airlines Association of Southern Africa, Aero Club of South Africa, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of South Africa, the Commercial Aviation Association of South Africa and the Aviation Watch Action Committee.

Referring to a recent event in Cape Town where an engine fell off a Nationwide Boeing 737 on take off, Van Tellinger said the pilot's training had "no doubt" enabled him to keep control of the plane when many systems stopped operating.

"The positive outcome of this incident is a credit to Boeing Aircraft Company and a reflection of the current high standard of South African aviation training," he said.

Van Tellinger said flight attendant Marilyn Rink, who briefed the passengers on the flight emergency also should be applauded.

The incident resulted in the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) grounding all Boeing 737-200s for inspection.

A number of aircraft-related incidents have occurred around the country in the past month.

These include one plane being cancelled and another having to turn back after experiencing technical difficulties.

Another plane heading to East London also was forced to turn back after a bird flew into the engine.

- SAPA