airspace ????

[bluesmancoops]

AWSA NEWSFLASH - CAPE TOWN AIRSPACE REVISITED

GA representative bodies, consisting of Aero Club, AOPA and CAASA,
challenged a recent move by the SACAA to restrict the use of
uncontrolled airspace in the Cape Town area by means of issuing AIC
20.21. Their contention rested on the fact that proper consultation
did not take place and that the matter was not submitted to NASCOM for
its recommendations.

Of particular concern was the fact that the AIC had the potential of
increasing the risk of a mid air collision due to aircraft movements
being compressed into less airspace. Paragraph 5 required aircraft
Northbound after an anti clockwise flight around the peninsula to fly
above a line feature in a restricted vertical corridor of 500 ft.
Aircraft leaving the Cape Town CTR South West bound would meet these
aircraft head on in the same narrow vertical corridor. The writer is
of the opinion that the lack of a proper consultative process, in
conjunction to bypassing the required NASCOM scrutiny, led to this
oversight.

It is clear that the immediate withdrawal of AIC 20.21 is indicated
to allow a proper process to be followed, if not to ensure that the
democratic rights of all affected parties are observed, then at least
to preclude an exponentially increased risk of a midair collision and
the associated accountability of those who have introduced this
systemic error. The implementation of a noise abatement plan should
not override a common sense approach to safety.

Mr Gawie Bestbier of the CAA, in response to a letter from a GA
representative body, stated that he required an indication of
objections. Interested and affected parties are therefore urged to
forward their comments to him at bestbierg@caa.co.za
<mailto:bestbierg@caa.co.za>
. Please copy your objection to the representative body of your
choice.

Aero Club: info@aeroclub.org.za <mailto:info@aeroclub.org.za>

AOPA: kosie@iburst.co.za <mailto:kosie@iburst.co.za>

CAASA: info@caasa.co.za <mailto:info@caasa.co.za>

Or report your objection to: http://www.awsa.co.za/report

These objections need to be lodged as soon as possible given that AIC
20.21 has already become effective on 11 February 2010.

A copy of AIC 20.21 can be found at:
http://www.awsa.co.za/sites/default/files/AIC20-21.pdf

[Wargames]

Saw a thread of this on avcom where they discussed the possibility of this AIC.

The question must be asked: Why did they deviate from the normal route of discussion and authorization?? Still not sure whether this will achieve what they want it to achieve.