For the aviation fans

[bertusras]

I absolutely love this insider knowledge, thanks LWB!

[Robbie Stewart]

Correct. Below is a screenshot from an internal mail with the numbers.

To answer you query, neither actually. We currently have way too many pilots for the amount of planes. There are pilots that have been flying once or twice a month(pre lockdown). SAA has never stopped employing pilots but the fleet never grew to accommodate the new pilots. The new proposed fleet is A LOT smaller so those 88 pilots are inline with regulations. The new total proposed employee count will be 1000, down from 4661.

Capture.PNG

EDIT:

It was amended to this

Capture1.PNG

 

The amendment proves the point I'm trying to convey.

 

More management in lieu of specialists. If I went to war, I'd want a specialist by my side, not another general.

[Long Wheel Base]

LWB, any indication as to what they going to do with the fleetß  How many aircraft are planned and what aircraft will be used?  Since many of the lease aircraft having been returned.  What is left?  Those thirsty A340-600 that nobody wants to buy?  I see they were out flying last week again btw.

Yeah the super thirsty, aged A340-600s and a few A340-300s are left. There are also 4 A320s left.

We have no idea how many or what aircraft they plan to use. They keep telling us different stories. This is why Technical hasn't started the VSP process, We have no idea how many aircraft SAA, Mango and Comair are going to fly with once they all are back up and flying fully. Rumor has it that by January we should be able to make a decision but until then we continue with reduced hours and pay. But by January they might not need to get rid of anyone because there are okes resigning all the time just to get their pension. Some guys haven't received a salary since April(only ters which is R6886).

[Long Wheel Base]

I absolutely love this insider knowledge, thanks LWB!

No problem.

[kosmonooit]

Thanks for that data LWB, I am just left wondering what that 'management' number actually represents, it looks high to me relative to the operation. More managers than pilots?. Is it because the 'management' are higher up the pecking order and their privilaged positions are being preserved? Or will the organisation really need that number of managers? or is the BMF calling the shots?

 

What we should be seeing is a process whereby all positions are looked at: skills and performance  assessments, organisational needs, etc which should lead to who should be kept on board, and who not. At least that would happen in the real world, Instead here 'they' wish to see a 'transformed' organisation emerge, even though almost all attempts to date at such transformation have led to total organisational failures.

[Long Wheel Base]

Thanks for that data LWB, I am just left wondering what that 'management' number actually represents, it looks high to me relative to the operation. More managers than pilots?. Is it because the 'management' are higher up the pecking order and their privilaged positions are being preserved? Or will the organisation really need that number of managers? or is the BMF calling the shots?

 

What we should be seeing is a process whereby all positions are looked at: skills and performance  assessments, organisational needs, etc which should lead to who should be kept on board, and who not. At least that would happen in the real world, Instead here 'they' wish to see a 'transformed' organisation emerge, even though almost all attempts to date at such transformation have led to total organisational failures.

Yeah you not the only one wondering but in reality we all know that the large number for management is purely for government dead weight to milk the tax payers dry once again. VSPs/Retrenchment at Technical is getting closer by the day. It's going to get worse before it gets better for the SAA brand. That's if it ever gets better............

[SwissVan]

I am in Dubai, sim recurrent on 30th. Doing it on my FAA. I am advised by the peeps who submit my paperwork in SA that the turnaround for the license is 4 weeks! Add on the delivery time from Dubai and back. As I fly on a validation I think I may just skip doing the SA renewal this year anyway and just Validate my FAA to San Marino.

Just received my renewed licence via DHL today

Used Aviation Assist in Pretoria to process everything.

Costs a small fortune in ZAR if you include all the certifications which I had to get done here Switzerland as they charge per page and worked out to a coupla thousand ronds.....

 

I don’t use my license anymore and was considering not bothering to renew it, because of the hassle.... luckily common sense prevailed ???? and it’s now done ✅ sweated to much to get the licenses and would be dof to just throw them away.... even though they are useless here in EASA land

Edited August 25, 2020 by SwissVan

[dev null]

That bit about equity employment is the reason I will point blank refuse to ever set foot on a SAA plane again. Its not a race thing, its a personal decision based in SAA being upfront that they will not employ the best person for the job over skin colour.

 

I will thus have no more SAA dealings in future. I am not willing to set foot on an airplane with the niggling question whether the pilot is sufficiently capable to handle the aircraft in a escalating crisis if he or she is only there based on race merit.

 

As I recall, there was a SAA pilot who was discovered, last year I think, that he was flying without ever being legally permitted to due to not having a type-rating on the A340, and this only came to light after some incorrect procedures were followed which endangered the plane and passengers during a flight. I can't recall specifics, but this is an example why I do not trust SAA to not repeat the same thing in assigning pilot jobs. I also read this morning that they are reducing pilot vacancies from 660 to 85. So, are they planning in increasing the pilots' schedules, or will they simply fly less frequently.

 

No, I will henceforth fly with the available opposition whenever I need to.

 

They will import pilots from Cuba. 

[DJR]

They will import pilots from Cuba. 

Get a few taxi drivers to do a conversion................

[Bateleur1]

Get a few taxi drivers to do a conversion................

 

So you gonna start doing midflight engine changes?   

[DJR]

So you gonna start doing midflight engine changes?   

And parachute drops at altitude to let passengers get off wherever they want. 

[SwissVan]

Anybody know what the status is wrt Comairs business rescue?

 

Business rescue partners are apparently reviewing 2 investor offers and will announce the rescue plan this coming Friday (28)

 

https://www.travelnews.co.za/article/breaking-news-comairs-business-rescue-rescued

[Alouette3]

King Air was at Cape Town intl today doing the ILS calibration

[SwissVan]

King Air was at Cape Town intl today doing the ILS calibration

Local King air or foreign?

I’ve seen a dayglo pink one doing the same here in switz, not sure where it comes from

[Long Wheel Base]

RIP

 

https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/1-dead-another-critically-injured-after-light-aircraft-crashes-on-field-in-springs-20200826

 

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-08-27-woman-killed-in-gauteng-plane-crash/

Edited August 27, 2020 by Long Wheel Base

[Long Wheel Base]

It was ZS-OET, CESSNA 172

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=zs-oet&source=lmns&bih=937&biw=1920&rlz=1C1GCEU_enZA867ZA867&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjrwrrt_brrAhWX0oUKHashCqAQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA