AOOA NEWSLETTER Q1 2022
Dear Members, would-be Members, Supporters and Partners
Firstly, it’s nearly time for the AOOA AGM 2022.
The AOOA’s Executive Committee & Secretariat hereby give notice of our forthcoming AGM to be held by ZOOM on Wednesday 20th April, 2022, at 10h30. We will shortly be circulating the AGM Agenda and any other notices relating to the AGM through our various media platforms.
Please, as many of you who are able to do so, do participate in our AGM next month (20th April, 2022).
There is a saying about “spring in the air”, but it’s our “autumn in the air” already when the rains peter out and temperatures simmer down as the cool dry season approaches. It’s a time when we begin to get excited about improved flying conditions, along with the promise of an up-turn in business, especially tourism and aviation-related commerce.
Aviators please however remember that the rains are not yet over, and the many bush airstrips that are mostly un-useable in the rains are likely to remain so for a while and almost certainly require work to get them up to a safe and satisfactory condition for resumption of any operations. Do make sure such airstrips are not only safe and suitable for your particular aircraft and your own proficiency, but also licensed as required, before you commit to fly in to them.
Talking of proficiency, the CAA is moving to encourage more systematic application of Pilot Proficiency Checks (PPCs). Well done the CAA, this is a good thing when implemented holistically for the benefit of pilots at all levels, from SPLs, PPLs, CPLs and ATPLs.
For example, it is a requirement for PPLs to maintain flying currency and undergo proficiency checks every 2 Years. CPL and ATPL holders are of course also required to maintain flying currency and proficiency over a range of competencies between 90 days, 6 months and 12 months, including Aeroplane Class and Type currencies, Line and Route Checks, IMC (IFR) currencies, and PPCs.
These checks should not simply be exercises in “ticking boxes” but practical exercises in flying competencies.
This is a subject area that the AOOA has been working on with the CAA for a number of years to ensure that flight currency, training and testing requirements are rationalised appropriately for the range of Pilot qualifications, aircraft Categories, Classes and Types, and flight operations of varying sizes and scopes, from experimental and light sports aircraft flying, private general aviation flying, commercial air charter flying (non-scheduled air services), and commercial airline flying (scheduled air services).
In relation to this work, the CAA has recently “regularised” the interpretations of aircraft ratings according to their Categories, Classes, Series and Types. Again, well done the CAA. The administration and application of associated regulations are most welcome, although initially may be a little complicated to fully appreciate.
So, we urge pilots to communicate with us or the CAA directly to ensure these provisions are fully and properly understood. Suffice to say here, while these provisions allow us to exercise appropriate discretion within the regulations, it does NOT mean that you can jump into any aircraft type you like with no competency or experience in flying it, without first undergoing appropriate checks designated Instructors, Check Pilots or Examiners, usually through a DTO, ATO, or AOC holder flight training facility.
In closing, we have made some promising progress with the CAA on a number of issues over the past few years (see our last Newsletter for more details, also available on this website), and we will of course continue engaging with the Authority as our principle partner in Zambia’s aviation development.
Finally, we have started 2022 well with a welcome response from members renewing their memberships, and wish to encourage those who haven’t yet done so to do so as soon as they can.
Blue Skies.
Richard Jeffery
AOOA President
On behalf of the AOOA Executive Committee and Members.