Latest news with #SACAA
The Citizen
18 hours ago
- The Citizen
Flying a drone? Know the law first
When you attend a large public event, you might notice a drone flying over the crowd, however, local drone pilot Dillon Hoffman explains why this is often against regulations. Dillon has over three years of experience in the field of drones, holding a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) as well as certifications in both Safety Management Systems and Quality Management Systems. 'I currently serve as the chief pilot at a production company and regularly do freelance work for various other drone operators who are legally registered under the Unmanned Aircraft System Operator Certificate (UASOC) as required by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA),' he explained. ALSO READ: Drone footage captures a whale of a time! He stated that drone operations in South Africa are governed by Part 101 of the South African Civil Aviation Regulations, with the SACAA enforcing compliance. Given that anyone can simply purchase a drone, it is essential to know how to fly one safely. Dillon provided some tips: • Be aware of your airspace and its limitations • Remain within visual line of sight (VLOS) • Avoid flying near people, roads, or airports without permission • Conduct pre-flight checks • Always use a device that adheres to safety standards • And very importantly, if you are flying for commercial purposes, you must operate under a UASOC. An RPC alone is insufficient ALSO READ: Sector 8 CPF welcomes newest member – Buzzy the drone! 'Some laws and regulations are often disregarded, including individuals who possess only their RPC and mistakenly believe it legally permits them to fly commercially. 'This is untrue. You must also operate under a UASOC. Many fly for payment or client work while claiming 'personal use'. Others operate drones under 250g and assume this is automatically legal, but they confuse it with rules from the USA. 'Those exceptions do not apply in South Africa. It is also common to fly over people, at night, or without permission on private property,' he explained. He emphasised that individuals should remain aware that they are personally liable for any damage or violations. 'You must understand that 'personal use' does not equate to commercial work. Once compensation or a client is involved, you must fly under a UASOC. The mere fact that a drone is small or under 250g does not grant you the right to operate it anywhere, South African regulations still apply,' he said. ALSO READ: Epic drone save Dillon pointed out that safety issues can arise if someone pilots a drone without adequate knowledge. 'This includes aviation hazards such as collisions with other aircraft and helicopters, injuries to people on the ground, disruption of emergency or police operations, and potential invasion of privacy or accidental violations of laws,' he explained. He noted that when an amateur pilot inadvertently breaks the law, the SACAA investigates complaints and can collaborate with the police or local authorities. Operating without an RPC or outside a UASOC constitutes a legal violation and may result in prosecution. 'You could be fined up to R50 000, face criminal prosecution, or risk losing your equipment and being permanently banned from commercial flights,' he warned. He added that laws are most commonly broken at festivals, beaches, parks, and tourist spots where individuals are unaware of airspace restrictions, including flying over people and property without permission or near airports or helicopter landing zones without permits. ALSO READ: #CITYNEWS – ABSA DRONE SHOW To remain qualified to operate a drone, you should: • Enrol in a SACAA-approved course • Obtain your Remote Pilot Certificate • Work under a company with a UASOC or establish your own with SACAA approval • Complete the necessary Air Law exam, practical assessments, and medical requirements Dillon stated that if you see someone operating a drone illegally, you can report it on to local police, or to municipalities and aviation safety bodies where applicable. 'The future of drones is full of potential, from film and photography to security, agriculture, and disaster management. 'But if we wish to see this technology develop sustainably and safely, we all need to take responsibility. We must collaborate to protect our airspace and ensure operations are conducted according to correct procedures. 'The industry already has a solid framework of rules and standards, and we must hold accountable those operators who violate them. 'Ultimately, it is the legal operators and registered companies who uphold the industry's reputation. We also have an opportunity, along with the SACAA and other stakeholders, to further refine and adapt regulations as technology evolves. 'This is still a young industry, and by working together, we can ensure a safe, professional, and innovative future for drone operations in South Africa,' he concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Young pilot killed in Lanseria aircraft crash
A 24-year-old pilot was killed and her passenger seriously injured when their aircraft crashed in Lanseria. According to police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, the Cessna aircraft with two occupants, a man and a woman, crashed near Hartbeespoort at approximately 10:15 on Thursday. Pretoria Rekord reports that Mickyla Steyn (24) was declared dead on the scene while her passenger was seriously injured and airlifted to a hospital. 'Police are investigating a culpable homicide case. Investigation into the matter, including by [the] South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), is underway.' Meanwhile, the Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) has confirmed that the crash involved a Cessna 210 with registration ZS-MZJ. 'The aircraft departed from Lanseria International Airport before crashing moments after takeoff, within the perimeter of the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve.' 'AIID has dispatched investigators to the site. A preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website within 30 days [of] the date of this accident. 'The AIID extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased and injured.' Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- General
- TimesLIVE
Pilot killed, passenger injured as aircraft crashes
A pilot was killed and a passenger injured when a Cessna 210 aircraft crashed in Gauteng on Thursday morning. The accident and incident investigations division (AIID) of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) said the aircraft departed from Lanseria International Airport at 10am before crashing moments after take-off, within the perimeter of the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve. 'There were two on board the aircraft (pilot and passenger) with the pilot fatally injured. The passenger was seriously injured and airlifted to hospital,' SACAA said. The AIID dispatched investigators to the site. A preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website in 30 days from the date of this accident. 'The AIID extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased and injured.' TimesLIVE
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- The Citizen
SA Civil Aviation probes cause of aircraft crash in Mpumalanga
According to the police, 39-year-old Quinton Steyn and his wife, 38-year-old Lizette Steyn, tragically lost their lives in a light aircraft crash. The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has launched an investigation into the cause of a light aircraft crash that claimed the lives of a husband and wife. According to police, 39-year-old Quinton Steyn and his wife, 38-year-old Lizette Steyn, tragically lost their lives in a light aircraft crash near Botshabelo Airfield in Middelburg on Sunday. The couple was reportedly travelling from Nelspruit to Middelburg, where they resided at the time of the crash. ALSO READ: Pilot tragically killed in crash at West Coast Airshow in Western Cape [VIDEO] Aircraft crash SACAA spokesperson Sisa Majola confirmed the accident that involved a Rans Aircraft S10 Sakota (Registration ZS-WXE). 'The aircraft departed from Middleburg Airfield before crashing shortly after take-off within the boundary of the airfield. The pilot and passenger on board were declared dead by Emergency Services on arrival. The aircraft was destroyed by the post-impact fire,' said Majola. Majola said the site was secured on Sunday evening and guarded by the South African Police Service (Saps) 'The AIID is on site this morning to collate evidence that will form part of a preliminary report that will be published on the SACAA website in 30 days. 'The AIID extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased,' Majola said. Airshow crash In March, a pilot was killed when the aircraft crashed during the West Coast Airshow at the Saldanha Airfield in the Western Cape. Videos shared on social media show the plane ascending, spinning mid-air, descending rapidly before plummeting to the ground and bursting into flames. 'There is one confirmed fatality, a pilot on board an Impala Aircraft (Registration: ZU-IMP). The AIID is working with the event safety officers to collate preliminary information. 'The AIID will provide a public update from the scene, should this be deemed necessary. A preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website 30 days from the day of the accident,' Majola said. ALSO READ: Court rules against ex-Civil Aviation Authority executive's 'false and malicious' claims
The Citizen
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Acsa loses appeal for control of baggage screening services at airports
Acsa wants to take control of baggage screening and has issued a R3.15 billion tender for it. The Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) have suffered a legal blow in their battle with Aviation Co-ordination Services (ACS) to take control of baggage control screening. This comes after the Gauteng High Court dismissed the urgent appeal by Acsa and SACAA on Friday, which barred it from bidding for or purchasing baggage screening equipment. Judgment on airport equipment The court judgment by Jude Twala upholds the high court's order on 5 November 2024, requiring Acsa and SACAA to allow ACS to replace the relevant equipment at OR Tambo and King Shaka International Airports while a main review case is still before the courts. It confirmed that the critical replacement of old hold baggage screening (HBS) equipment may proceed at the international airports, which is needed to ensure public safety and airport efficiency. ALSO READ: Acsa interdicted from adjudicating and awarding R3bn tender Acsa baggage services In May 2023, Acsa announced plans to terminate ACS's more than two-decade role in providing baggage screening services. It said it intended to take over these services directly. Acsa argued that it was supposed to be responsible for the baggage services, and that ACS had been running the services without a formal tender, which means Acsa was in breach of the procurement rules for state-owned entities. However, ACS contends that the airline is responsible for providing HBS services at airports, with ACS legally mandated by the airlines to operate and manage the services. ACS appeal In response, ACS approached the courts to review and set aside Acsa's decision to insource HBS services, including issuing a R3.15 billion tender for HBS equipment and force SACAA to approve the replacement of four backup baggage screening equipment at OR Tambo and King Shaka airports. In November last year, the court ordered that SACAA must approve the replacement and allow the process to be completed within 10 days of the order being made. Acsa and SACAA then sought to suspend these directives through an appeal, arguing that they should not be enforced while broader legal proceedings, mainly the review of Acsa's plan to insource HBS services, are ongoing. However, the High Court judgment on Friday dismissed this appeal, affirming that these orders remain operational and enforceable during the review process. 'The replacement of these units is essential to maintaining uninterrupted, internationally compliant baggage screening services at South Africa's major airports. We are pleased that the court has recognised the urgency and importance of this work, and that we can now move forward in the interests of all airline passengers,' said Duke Phahla, CEO of ACS. ACSA tenders Acsa has a fraught history of dealing with large tenders. In August last year, despite stating that there were no allegations of irregularities, Acsa suspended its chief information officer in relation to a technology tender. Mthokozisi Mncwabe had been placed on precautionary suspension after 'prima facie evidence of wrongdoing' was uncovered in a biometric and digital identity technology project. This came despite Acsa previously stating before the High Court that there were no irregularities in the procurement processes. The contract, worth R115 million, was awarded to French multinational technology company IDEMIA, with a requirement that at least 30% of the value be subcontracted to a South African, black-owned enterprise. IDEMIA partnered with the local company InfoVerge, but the relationship eventually deteriorated. Security tender Also last year, the court halted Acsa from awarding an airport security tender to a non-compliant service provider since 2018. This followed allegations made by the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) that Acsa unlawfully awarded the contract to Checkport SA, 'a foreign-owned company that has no requisite expertise'. NOW READ: Acsa wants a look over in fight over baggage screening services
