4 November
1999
The CAA is
proud to announce the appointment of Rennie van Zyl, technical advisor to the
chief executive officer, Trevor Abrahams, to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Rennie van
Zyl will begin work as technical officer - accident investigation within the
Accident Investigation Group (AIG) at the ICAO Head Office in Montreal at the
end of January next year for a period of three years. The objective of the AIG
is to set u p guidelines and standards for Contracting States in respect of the
prevention and investigation of accidents.
Rennie has
extensive experience in the accident investigation field. He began his career
in aviation as an engineer with the then Directorate for Civil Aviation within
the National Department of Transport in 1969. In 1985 he was promoted to the
position of director for aviation safety in 1985. He served as chief director
from 1994 until 30 September 1998. With the establishment of the stand-alone
Civil Aviation Authority on 1 October 1998, he was appointed technical advisor
to the CEO. Within the CAA, he ha s also acted as project manager - accident
and incident investigation and engineering head of department.
Another
member of the CAA staff, Herman Pretorius, previously project manager -
airspace, was also seconded to ICAO in June of this year to take up the
position of regional affairs officer for a period of three years.
The
appointment of both Rennie van Zyl and Herman Pretorius demonstrates ICAO's
recognition of the South African CAA's staff competencies and capabilities and
their potential contribution to international aviation safety.
"This
is an opportunity to contribute at the international level to aviation safety
and gain exposure to global aviation trends, "
commented Rennie.