Media Release

IRP Report Recommends That CAA Focuses on Systems and People

Wednesday, August 16, 2000

The CAA is embarking on three stringent programmes to immediately address the issues raised by the Independent Review Panel (IRP) tasked to investigate the allegation that some eight pilots obtained their Airline Transport Pilots licences by fraudulent means.

According to the CAA's chairman, Israel Skosana, the aviation authority respects the outcome of the independent panel's investigation, which found the allegations unsubstantiated and recommended that the CAA take regulatory steps against the initial author of the allegations as well as a suspended CAA employee whose evidence contradicted uncontested documentary and oral evidence."

"We are also pleased that the Panel was satisfied that there is no risk of aviation safety being compromised in South Africa." However, Skosana said that the CAA could not overlook the recommendations noted in the report for the CAA "to make even further improvements to the policies and procedures in its licensing department, the technology used in its online examinations and the need for the organisation to focus on internal communication and cultural issues."

"These measures could have gone a long way to help avoid the negative impact which the unsubstantiated allegations had on people's lives, the status of pilots and taxpayers funds," he said.

Already, a team of technology experts have designed and implemented increased security measures for the online examination system to prevent human manipulation of the random selection of papers.

Regarding policies and procedures within its licensing department, Skosana said that by October 2, 2000, there will be strictly documented procedures for every task undertaken within the CAA, as part of its ISO 9001 certification process which was already well underway. The certification audit has been scheduled for December 6 and 7, 2000 by the SABS and an international certification organisation.

Following a communications and perception audit of all levels of staff within the CAA last month, Skosana said that a full communications strategy had already been developed to help reconcile internal cultural differences within the CAA.

The report highlighted that in its short period of existence the CAA had already achieved much and that the Panel's recommendations would help promote greater efficiency within the CAA.

The IRP has made recommendations regarding action that should be taken against certain individuals within the CAA. These matters will be address at a full board meeting scheduled for August 23, 2000.

Currently, the CAA:

• Examines licenses and trains some 14,000 aviation personnel - pilots, cabin crew, flight engineers, aircraft maintenance engineers and air traffic controllers. Each year, the CAA renews some 10,000 licences.
• Certifies aircraft products and parts to ensure the safety and airworthiness of some 7000 aircraft on the South African register.
• Monitors at least 546 air service operations and aviation training organisations, such as flight crew, cabin safety and security in respect of passengers, baggage and dangerous goods to ensure they perform in line with required regulations.
• Regulates the infrastructure at 142 licensed airports and 22 air traffic control facilities across South Africa.
• Investigates accidents and incidents to determine their cause and recommend measures to prevent recurrence.

Issued by:
Riaan Malherbe
Simeka TWS Communications
083-269-4668

On behalf of:
South African Civil Aviation Authority
For further information kindly contact Merle O'Brien on 083-230-8478