SACAA EXTENDS LICENCE PRIVILEGES

The Regulator wishes to share some of the key business decisions taken in order to optimally service the civil aviation industry during the lockdown period. This is in response to President Cyril Ramaphosa announcement of a country-wide lockdown from midnight 26 March 2020 until midnight 16 April 2020.

The President announced some measures related to aviation travel as follows:

(a) South African citizens and residents arriving from high-risk countries will automatically be placed under quarantine for 14 days.

(b) Non-South Africans arriving on flights from high-risk countries are prohibited from disembarking from aircraft and will be turned back.

(c) International flights to Lanseria Airport will be temporarily suspended.

Revision of Regulations promulgated on 18 March 2020 by the Minister of Transport:

The SACAA is tasked with the responsibility to conduct oversight, monitor and enforce the Regulations that were issued by the Minister of Transport on 18 March 2020, as well as associated guidelines that were issued by the Director of Civil Aviation.

Following the President’s announcement, the Minister of transport has issued directives as follows:

1. All international and domestic flights are prohibited, irrespective of the risk category of their country of origin.
2. Only essential air cargo will be allowed, however, cargo from high risk countries must be sanitized.

 

SACAA Specific Industry Response Plan during the Lock-down:

 1. Validity of Personnel licences

• No new aviation personnel licences will be issued during the lock down period.
• The SACAA will issue an extension enabling licensed personnel whose licences expire between 26 March 2020 and 30 April 2020 to exercise the privileges of their licenses for an extended period of up to 26 June 2020. This applies to the following licence categories:
  • Pilot
  • Air Traffic Controller
  • Cabin Safety/Cabin Crew
  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
  • Aviation Security Screeners
  • Aviation Security Instructors
  • Flight Engineers
  • Designated Examiners
• Class I, II, III and IV medical certificates will be extended for a period of up to 26 June 2020 subject to the conditions attached to each certificate.
• Dangerous goods and aviation security training certificates will be extended for up to 26 June 2020.
• If your current flight review or proficiency check expires after 01 March 2020, you will be able to continue to use all the privileges of your licence for up to 26 June 2020.
• Air Operator Certificate holders will have relief from Part 121 and Part 135 pilot proficiency checking, dangerous goods training and checking requirements for up to 26 June 2020.

Each set of these exemptions listed above will have its limitations and conditions to ensure safe operations of an aircraft. The limitations will amongst others include the pilot recency, no known medical conditions and individual operator mitigation plans.

 

2. Writing of Civil Aviation Personnel Licence Examinations

• From 27 March 2020, examinations will be suspended at all SACAA venues.
• The Manager: Examinations will communicate the new schedule in due course, depending on the prevailing circumstances within the country.
• Clients will not be required to pay any additional examination fee for rescheduled examination sessions as a result of this arrangement.
• Theoretical examinations expiring within the lock down period shall be extended for a period commensurate with the lockdown period.

 

3. Inspections

Inspections and audits paid for by clients are suspended until further notice.

All inspections which fall within the scope of the Minister’s regulations dated 18 March 2020 will continue.

• No new applications shall be processed during the lock down period, e.g. Air Operator Certificates, approvals for Aviation Maintenance Organisations, Airports, Design Organisation Approvals, Aviation Training Organisations, Regulated Agents, Known Consignors, Security Training Organisations, Screening Organisations, Type Certificate, Type Acceptance, Aircraft Registration etc.
• All existing operators/owners intending to renew their approval certificates and certificate of airworthiness during this period must submit applications and proof of payment electronically to the relevant officials.
• The SACAA will conduct desktop inspections and may request additional evidence where necessary.
• As usual, approvals will only be granted when payments are cleared.

 

4. Airport and Air Traffic Services operations

• All approvals expiring between 27 March and 30 April 2020 are granted extension up to 26 June 2020.
• For upgrade or downgrade of aerodromes or firefighting service category, etc., a risk assessment should be conducted with an application for exemption, by email to one of the Senior Management listed below for further processing:

Nelson Nkabiti, Senior Manager: Aerodrome Safety. Cell:0834616175, email: nkabitin@caa.co.za

Sandile Maphanga, Senior Manager: Air Navigation Services Cell:0834512603, email:maphangas@caa.co.za

These measures will be reviewed from time to time and as circumstances dictate. All communication during this period will be uploaded on the SACAA website.

 

Conclusion

The SACAA is committed to heed the call by the President by adhering to the 21- day lock down period. In addition, the SACAA will implement the above measures to provide services to the industry.

The SACAA offices will remain closed albeit with Staff on standby for critical services however this will be assessed and shall be at the discretion of the Executive responsible. The standby list shall be available on the website of the SACAA.

The industry is required to check the SACAA website on www.caa.co.za and social media platforms for future updates. Please also note these important telephone numbers:

• SACAA employees with company cell phones will be contactable via their cell phones which will be loaded on the website at caa.co.za/contactus.
• NICD hotline 0800 029 999.
• WhatsApp service for queries related to COVID-19. Simply add 060 012 3456 as a WhatsApp contact and type ‘Hi’ in the message block for access to relevant information.

 

Download the Original Communique from SACAA

Download the SACAA General Exemption Covid-19

About Aviation4SA

Aviation4SA specialises in the publication of electronic South African Aviation Legislation. The very popular notification service keeps industry players updated with changes to AIC’s, AIP’s, Technical Standards and Regulations (SA-CATS and CARS) Acts, Rules, Regulations, Ministerial Orders, Charges, Fees, Taxes, Agreements, Amendments and Proposed Amendments, relating to the Aviation Industry. Read more…