Civil Aviation Authority

The ATSA course is the introduction course and consists of theoretical training. This course is the foundation for all future ATC training courses. A rating is received on the successful completion of this course and this rating can be validated at the students ATSU.

Having successfully completed the ATSA course and student can continue with the Aerodrome control course which has both theoretical and practical content. The successful completion of the theoretical training is a necessary prerequisite to be able to continue onto the simulator training course.

Practical training will be conducted in the FABR artificial airspace created for 43 Air Schools simulator environment .However; with the simulator it is possible to provide training for clients in their individual national airspace.

The modern capabilities of the simulator affords the school and the unique opportunity of offering clients the option of completing 50% of their validation training, recurrence training or proficiency assessments at the 43 Air Schools facility.

AOPA Reacts To SACAAs Move to Investigate a Recent Air crash.

The South African branch of the Aircraft Owners' and Pilots' Association (AOPA) has reacted strongly to a recent press release which indicated that the SA Civil Aviation Authority had begun an investigation into the cause of an accident involving a Piper and a Jabiru aircraft at Wonder boom Airport, Pretoria, on October 26.

Three people were injured in the accident when the two aircraft collided apparently in midair over the runway.

In a letter addressed to the Director-General of Transport in which he states that he was present at the airport "moments after the accident" and that it appeared that ATNS (the Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company) was also directly involved in the investigation, Dr. J.T (Koos) Marais ,chairman of AOPA,wrote:"I draw your attention to the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act,2009, which was assented to by the President on 25/27 May 2009.In particular, the Act makes provision for the establishment of an independent Aviation Safety Investigation Board and Section 10 of the Act states. ‘the Aviation Safety Investigation Board, which is a juristic person, is hereby established.'

"The purpose of this Board is to independently investigate aircraft accidents in order to advance aviation safety. In view of prior irregularities raised by AOPA regarding air traffic control and air safety at Wonder boom Airport,AOPA and its members have a clear interest in the outcome of any investigation of this accident.

"It does appear, however, that such an Aviation Safety Investigation Board has been constituted as is required by the Act, nor is such Board investigating this accident," Marias said.

Port Alfred-based 43 Air School has added a new training course to its growing list of facilities, namely training air traffic controllers for which it has established and recently opened its new Air Traffic Services Training College on the campus that will provide students with the highest level of instruction according to SACAA regulations and in accordance with ICAO standards.

With the approval of the schools Air Traffic Services Aviation Training Organization (ATS ATO) license granted earlier this year, 43 Air School became the first privately-owned ATS ATO in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Air Traffic Service Assistant (ATSA) and aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) courses offered by 43 Air School will be complemented by the introduction of the Aerodrome Control Course, Approach and Area Procedural and Radar courses in 2011.

Simulator training on the Aerodrome Control course will be provided utilizing a state-of-the-art Bar log 360 degrees aerodrome simulator, which is currently being installed at the facility ready for the start of the first course early next month.

The generic "operations airport" of the simulator is somewhere in the "deep Karoo" .The graphics are considered "awesome "and very realistic. It is built in a circle with 12 "out-stations" (simulated aircraft flying at varying speeds etc) and one instructor/student station in the middle of the circular simulator.

Brian Van Hout, who heads up 43 Air Schools ATC training, was previously in charge of ATC training in the SAAF.

ATS Training will be provided by the schools professional team of instructors under the leadership of Van Hout, whose experience includes both military and ICAO colleges. Colectively, 43 Air Schools ATS Instructors have an average of 25 years operational and instructional ATS experience in both the civilian and military environments. The ATS College makes use of staff which includes: two Grade 1 designated examiners; a Grade 1 instructor and four ground school instructors.

The worldwide need for ATCs has never been greater with many ATS facilities operating with staff levels below the accepted norm. In the USA alone, in order to meet the predicted shortages, the FAA will be training in excess of 17000 new controllers in the period to 2018.

Commenting on the new service, a 43 Air School spokesman told World Air news: "Our unique environment allows us to expose student ATCs to a variety of aspects found in aviation. Students ATCs are afforded the opportunity to either experience the world of the pilot at the controls of one of our aircraft while interacting with our experienced ATC personnel, or as a passenger listening to the interaction between pilot and ATC while enjoying the flying experience.

"The environment also lends itself to the regular interaction between ATC students and aircrew, both qualified and under training.

"Our ATS College has trained and qualified eight SACAA-licensed AFIS operators who are utilized in our control tower at Port Alfred and, until recently, the control tower at Bhisho. These AFIS operators handle in excess of 7000 aircraft movements monthly at Port Alfred," he said.

Once having joined the ranks of the Air Traffic Control profession, the students will be part of a worldwide team that is responsible for safely guiding thousands of aircraft through the international airspace system every day.

A comprehensive curriculum that integrates classroom instruction and simulator training will prepare students to be certified by their respective regulators as Air Traffic Controllers. Standard courses for the training of ATC personnel have been designed in order to offer a training program me which conforms to SACAA and ICAO course guidelines.