Microlighters

As from today RAASA is not accepting any more license or ATF applications till next year. What is going to happen to the guys that need to apply for a new ATF. Will they now fly illegally over December or not fly at all? What if you need a renewal of your license or have to apply for a student license? Are you going to stop flying till next year. CAA only closes for a short time over the christmas period. Just asking.

I have just submitted my application to RAASA, very polite, good service. Anyway the new RAASA application demands 12 documents including mandatory membership of the Aero Club. Last year the CAA also gave excellent service, up until I think the 21st December.

I honestly believe that with the mandatory Aero club membership, flight folios, radio station licences, pictures and so on...obviously pilots that live miles from an AP, on farms and so on; the over regulations will actually do more harm than good. As you correctly state many people will not renew for the season and probably when they get to renew they will see the requirements and they will not bother at all !!

In years gone by we were relatively left alone, now its transponders and mountains of documents. Is this the way for safer skys, in this case I think not.
Hopefully we dont get to a situation similar to the UK where certain filling stations wont allow you to fill containers and the associated bull. BUT its getting there..

Those that need to renew soon start early getting the papers in place as its hard work...

ZULU1

And to those of us who completed the fixed wing conversion before the cut -off date- ha ha ha, need to redo 2 groundschool online exams as well redo the test flight.

Deon.

We will still be processing applications untill Friday the 18th as per our website.
We have informed people of this for the last month to allow them to prepare for their applications in time for our early closure. A whole Two Days before CAA.

"RAASA Office will close:"

"The RAASA offices at Rand Airport, Germiston will close on the 18th of December 2009 at 15:00 for the festive season, and will open on the 4th of January 2010.
Please submit your Licence applications and ATF renewals before the 18th of December 12H00 for processing if you intent flying during this time.
All Special event and Parachute Display applications have to reach the RAASA-Office before the 12th of December."

Regards
Pierre

We don't need transponders as yet, the documents that RAASA requires is not a problem as all aircraft had to have them anyway. My query is that because RAASA is closing early and your ATF then expires are you going to stop flying. Not everyone knows that RAASA is closing early. They may think that there is still time to get the documents in order.

You can not close a lisencing office over the festive season except for the public holidays, It's not a mine or a factory. I do not agree with this, Unless they make sure that NO lisence or ATF expires over the period that the office is closed.

Gee die ouens ook n kans. Amper als en almal sluit oor die kers seisoen.
Skrik net vroegtydig wakker!

Geseënde Kersfees RAASA

Hi KFA

I agree with German.
Let the Guys have a relax, they have done a sterling job so far and i think they deserve a Holiday just like the rest of us.
One week is not going to bring Aviation to it's knees.

Just my $2Zim

I will be doing my conversion on a savannah after the 18th. When once signed out, is there a time by which the paperwork has to go through and will I beable to fly in that time?
Vernon.

KFA wrote:You can not close a lisencing office over the festive season except for the public holidays, It's not a mine or a factory. I do not agree with this, Unless they make sure that NO lisence or ATF expires over the period that the office is closed.

Agreed, I drove all the way from Swaziland yesterday to get my ATF sorted and wasnt pleased to see this thread last night. First thing this morning I phoned and at first I was also informed that yesterday was the last day they issued any ATF's.

KFA wrote:...Unless they make sure that NO lisence or ATF expires over the period that the office is closed.

In there lies a positive suggestion to RAASA. Not in time for this year, but it would be a great way of setting themselves ahead of CAA and send out reminders to those in the closed period a personal reminder. In time, perhaps this would move these guys out of that anniversary cycle and into 'normal operating' days.

You have 30 days to submit paperwork for the conversion. You can fly it in the mean time as long as it is signed out in your log book.

lefssa wrote:You have 30 days to submit paperwork for the conversion. You can fly it in the mean time as long as it is signed out in your log book.

Thanks.
Vernon.

Vernon,as Deon has stated, if your licence and medical is current and you do a type conversion, you may fly providing it is endorsed by a rated instructor in your pilot logbook, you then have 30 days to submit the nessesary forms to RAASA.
As for the early reminders, RAASA started with no history or database to work from, as we go along this database is being developed, in due time this database will help us to send out early reminders, for medical, licence, ratings and ATF expiry dates, hey we might even send out birthday and anniversary reminders.

Have a great X mas and New year and safe flying.

Pierre.

Thanks for the positive attitude RAASA, we hope you enjoy your well deserved Christmas break as well and please continue to deliver the good service!
Renewal reminders will certainly be a step up in service levels.

Mogas