Microlighters

Following Oupa G's anguish and others, I wondered if there no credible agent that can do all the CAA applications /submissions that has the insight and knowledge of the beaurocratic/ technical compliance/ requirements to represent new aircraft/ mods e.t.c.?

I contacted no less than 7 aircraft agents/ manufacturers who could not display at our airshow because they were waiting for CAA ATF's and approvals.

Simerly, spoke to a CAA inspector who said that if all applications were submitted as per spec the cost, anguish for agent and man hours for both parties would be so much less.

I believe that some people are just better at certain functions than others and it does not mean that because a mechanically minded oke who has an intrinsic knowledge of his product is the best suited person to chip away at city hall's beaucrocracy.

Just thinking, the stress, loss of sales and sometimes credibility could be smoothed by a coupla grand.

And now CAA wants RAASA back.... eish.... more drama, delays & inadequacies!

What would the reason be to move RAASA back to CAA? It was just so much easier to deal with RAASA. No hassels and quick. Even the location was better even though further than caa from me but at least a trip to an airport was a plus.

Tumbles.... sorry for the "hijack"

I urge you chaps to read the thread on AVCOM.... http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 77#p950577

Maybe said DA's DR. SM van Dyk should rather focus on other bloody "potholes" in other sectors the Minister of Transport is responsible for like checking CAA themselves and not RAASA be questioned in this case!

Thanks for the link to the AvCom posts Mark.

Yes I must agree that I prefer to deal with RAASA than having to deal with CAA. The difference between the 2 is that RAASA wants to help you but CAA want to do as little as possible, so if they can find any excuse what so ever not to help you they use it 'in the name of safety' or 'because the law says this'. (and some are just on an ego trip)

Even with RAASA it is still too much paper shuffling that does nothing to improve safety. e.g. There is no reason to reissue a licence every 2 years (PPL's are issued every 10 years as I understand it) It is enough to have a requirement that you must have a valid medical and do a flight test every 2 years that must be in your flight log. Why do they want to check it as well? Either you have it and you are legal or you do not have it and you are not legal.

I had my first experience of RAASA on Friday when I went to get my learner pilot licence and I was greatly impressed by their friendliness, helpfulness and efficiency. I haven't yet had to deal with the CAA.

There is no reason to reissue a licence every 2 years (PPL's are issued every 10 years as I understand it) It is enough to have a requirement that you must have a valid medical and do a flight test every 2 years that must be in your flight log. Why do they want to check it as well? Either you have it and you are legal or you do not have it and you are not legal.

The re-issuing of a license is done whenever you do a PPL re-validation test you are issued with a new document - It can be 1or 2 years depending on the instructor that did the validation (1 year only if there is a reason for it!) That is how I understand it.

Many people misread the print on their licence and the little asterisk next to the medical for example has confused countless (that little subject to clause) Reminds of recently when many a PPL license became invalid due to the language proficiency issue.

I must give credit where credit is due.

I went through the whole mod approval process with CAA. Yes, I was not happy that I had to go through the process, but rules are rules so it is best to not fight the system but work within it.

I found the AP most helpful, the CAA most accomodating, the CAA engineer very heplful over the phone and once approval flights had been completed the ATF was issued immediately.

We might not like the system, but CAA have their job to do and if we at least try and see it their way, it is not too painful and it works.