NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 585 [CW680E]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 NOVEMBER 2011
Mr M J R de Villiers (DA-WC) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military
Veterans:
(1) With regard to the recent technical difficulties which have been
experienced, how many aircrafts are available to transport the (a)
President, (b) Deputy President and (c) Ministers (i) locally and (ii)
internationally;
(2) What are the quality and safety standards of these aircrafts?
(3) Whether any (a) regular safety checks and (b) maintenance are being
conducted on the aircrafts; if not, (i) why not and (ii) who is
responsible for monitoring the general maintenance and servicing of
these aircrafts; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) Whether she will establish a task team to address the poor
maintenance of these aircrafts; if not, why not; if so, when?
CW680E
REPLY:
1) There have not been dangerous or uncontrolled technical difficulties
with the aircraft fleet used for the (a) President, (b) Deputy
President and (c) Ministers (i) locally and (ii) internationally
The following aircraft are available for the (a) President, (b) Deputy
President and (c) Ministers:
⢠At one of the Air Squadron units:
i) One Presidential Boeing, currently undergoing routine
maintenance
ii) One Falcon 900
iii) Two Falcon 50 aircraft.
⢠Under National Treasury RT 61 Contract
i) B727 in VVIP configuration
ii) Global XRS in VVIP configuration
⢠From Air Force Reserve Squadrons:
i) Various suitable aircraft from Air Force Reserve Squadrons
2) All aircraft are civilian registered and subject to SA Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA) quality and safety standards. The maintenance
schedules are prescribed by the original equipment manufacturer/design
authority, as approved and audited by CAA
3) Yes, (a) full and regular safety checks are conducted on the aircraft
and (b) maintenance are being conducted on the aircraft as required
i) Falls away
ii) Air force
Details on the maintenance and servicing of these aircrafts include
the following: Full regular checks and maintenance conducted according
to CAA approved schedules, direct supervision of CAA approved
individuals and only CAA approved organisations and individuals
conduct the maintenance and servicing of aircrafts. CAA regularly
audits the operating and maintenance organisations.
4) The criticality of professional aircraft operation and
maintenance is continually emphasised by CAF, SAAF and CAA senior
management including the right to the technicians working on the
aircraft. Extensive airworthiness and safety management systems from
both the SAAF and CAA are in place. The technical difficulties
referred to are classified in the principals to safety risks, and are
always dealt with in the most professional and expeditious manner,
involving specific expertise throughout the worldwide aviation
industry. Dedicated and fully empowered management structures
responsible for Presidential and Ministerial transport have been
established. It is thus not considered necessary to establish a task
team.