NEW CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY HEAD OUTLINES SAFETY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRETORIA 000115 SIPDIS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED SIPDIS DEPT FOR EB/TRA/OTP DAKAR FOR FAA REP ROME FOR TSA REP FAA FOR NANCY ANGELO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAIR ELAB SF SUBJECT: NEW CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY HEAD OUTLINES SAFETY OVERSIGHT ISSUES FOR THE PRESS REF: PRETORIA 00073 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) CEO/Commissioner Colin Jordaan discussed safety oversight and compliance with international aviation safety standards during his first interviews with the South African media. Jordaan alerted all airlines during the interviews that CAA has "improved its oversight capacity significantly". He identified recruitment, training, and retention of qualified inspectors as areas of concern for CAA as it continues to improve its oversight capacity. Jordaan responded candidly to questions about engine failure on a Nationwide flight on November 7, 2007. He remained concerned about long-term recruitment and retention prospects despite a successful round of recruitment for airworthiness inspectors. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Jordaan gave an interview with "Classic FM 102.7" immediately after receiving the FAA good news letter from Economic Counselor on January 7 (reftel). The interview ran later during the evening rush hour. Jordaan was candid about flight safety oversight gaps that had threatened to cause a downgrade from Category One. He was also frank about the effects a downgrade would have had on South Africa. Jordaan pledged his commitment to assure the maintenance of South African safety oversight standards. -------------- Compliance with International Standards -------------- ¶3. (U) Jordan discussed compliance with international aviation safety standards in his first print interview in the Business Times on January 13. (Note: Jordaan joined CAA in December 2007, shortly after it announced that the positions of CEO and Commissioner would be merged into one position, bringing the CAA in line with international best practices and addressing a shortfall identified in the FAA audit). He told the press that CAA has increased its aircraft maintenance standards "over the last eighteen months to be in line with (evolving) international standards." According to Jordaan, CAA has "introduced new technical guidance materials that have resulted in more intensive inspections for maintenance organizations." CAA has hired additional inspectors and enforcement agents to keep up with evolving international standards. CAA recently recruited 15 qualified aircraft engineers (from an applicant pool of over 100) to act as airworthiness inspectors. -------------- Improved Oversight -------------- ¶4. (U) Jordaan warned all airlines against "cutting corners" since the CAA has "improved its oversight capacity significantly." In addition to its audit functions, CAA has instituted a new whistleblower program. A confidential aviation hazardous reporting system has been created to identify shortcomings that "might be concealed during a normal audit." Under the new program, any airline or maintenance organization employee can directly and anonymously inform CAA of any violations. Transportation Officer confirmed with CAA General Manager for Aviation Security that the whistleblower program was already functional. A confidential aviation hazard reporting form is available on the CAA website (http://www.caa.co.za/) and can be sent to a dedicated e-mail address (CAHRS@caa.co.za). -------------- Q -------------- Recruiting and Retaining Skilled Inspectors -------------- ¶5. (U) Jordaan identified continued recruitment, training, and retention of qualified inspectors as an area of concern for South Africa. According to Jordaan, the South African Air Force has become a training ground for civilian airlines. He said the Air Force "is battling to train and retain" engineers. Additionally, South African Airways (SAA) lost approximately 40 technicians to emigration PRETORIA 00000115 002 OF 002 (mostly to Australia and New Zealand) in 2007. Jordaan emphasized that "as soon as (engineers) qualify they go to the airlines or leave the country." ¶6. (U) Jordaan lauded efforts by SAA and other airlines for their training and apprentice programs. However, he was candid about the difficulty airlines are having in attracting young professionals. Jordaan stated that airline training programs were not attractive to the youth population. He also refuted claims that the demand for black pilots was compromising safety. Jordaan reiterated that "black pilots are required to meet exactly the same standards as any other pilot." -------------- Response to Nationwide Engine Failure -------------- ¶7. (U) Jordaan spoke about the temporary grounding of domestic air carrier Nationwide in December 2007. He responded candidly to questions from both the radio and print media about engine failure on Nationwide's Boeing 732-200 on flight CE723 on November 7. Although the incident is still under investigation, Jordaan stated that the incident would not have occurred if the plane had been maintained properly. He also emphasized that it was the only commercial airline accident registered in South Africa in 2007 and "was dealt with quickly and thoroughly." ¶8. (U) Jordaan used the Nationwide example to highlight the quality of South African pilots. According to Jordaan, annual flight operations inspections by Boeing and Airbus rank South African pilots highly. ¶9. (SBU) Comment. Jordaan expressed his concern about long-term recruitment and retention prospects in his conversations with both the Embassy (reftel) and the media. This is not surprising, since skilled labor shortages exist in almost all sectors of the economy. This is the result of inadequate education for the disadvantaged population, a rapidly growing economy, and a global skills shortage that is attracting many skilled South Africans to accept well- paid employment in other countries. End Comment. BOST