Messages of thanks and congratulations have been pouring in from all quarters since Wednesday evening when ATNS (Air Traffic Navigation Services Company Ltd.) held the first in what we now believe will be regular Safety workshops. ATNS nominated a “panel” of experts who were there to answer whatever questions arose from the delegates as well as some preplanned points which were designed to highlight certain specific areas of concern as perceived by ATC’s.
Hein Reid (ATNS Senior Manager: Operations – North) was a lively and very humorous MC who showed great skill at being able to control an overcrowded EAA Auditorium with many people who wanted to ask questions or make observations of their own. On the panel were : Kim Gorringe BA LLB. LLM.(Airspace Law – London) and current CEO of the Commercial Aviation Association of SA (CAASA), Frank Eckard Bsc. Mech Eng. Aeronautics and SAPFA vice President, Chris Briers CEO of Naturelink 8000+ hour Comm pilot on 64 types representing the GA sector, Ivan Louw ATC George Nat Airport, exec Board member Guild of Air Traffic Controllers, Ricardo Afonso ATC Pool Manager Regional Airports ATZ . The workshop was opened by the acting CEO of ATNS Peter Marais who welcomed all the delegates and made the funding for the evening available.
Some of the subjects covered or explored were: Why some GA pilots don’t declare emergencies? Why some GA pilots prefer not to file flight plans? Why most GA pilots file plans with S&R as NIL? How to get GA pilots to adhere to Spec Rules Areas regulations and geographical limits? Why can’t VFR flights be routed through the TMA? Why is ATNS insisting on Mode C Transponders for all GA Aircraft? The failure of some GA pilots to communicate using correct RT phrases and language, The failure of some ATC’s to limit long statements about the whereabouts of other aircraft even in VMC thus causing frequency saturation, the lack of integrity in the provision of RT licenses by inexperienced flying instructors, The failure of Flying Schools to supply adequate training in respect of RT readbacks to limit frequency saturation.
Obviously, due to time constraints, it was not possible to explore most of these points fully or to even find solutions to the problems but virtually everyone (without exception) felt that this was at least a start in addressing these outstanding problems and that more workshops must be held soon. We await with baited breath the next workshop to be held with ATNS and thank them sincerely for their great initiative.
The EAA will be pursuing this initiative and holding further workshops to clarify ATC and RT procedures for General Aviation at all levels in an effort to improve safety in the South African skies for VFR pilots.
Jeremy Woods
EAA Project Coordinator
EAA Auditorium
