Where are the new BBJ pilots?

President Thabo Mbeki's new business jet is to be delivered later this year, but manning the jet may become a problem as the Air Force faces pilot shortages.

Only six operational pilots (three crews of two each) out of the entire Air Force qualify to fly the aircraft. The six would be required to sign a contract, however, before embarking on the orientation courses to fly the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ). They would be contractually bound to remain in the service for a set period. Breach of this contract would cost them thousands. Only one of the six pilots identified indicated that he was definitely interested, while existing contracts of the others expire at the end of February. Most are considering offers from the private sector. In negotiations over the past week, the Air Force offered the pilots the option of a contract with far less refunding requirements.

Another attempt at a contract Under this contract, pilots would be able to resign at any stage without having to refund the Air Force. Effectively, this meant pilots could undergo the orientation course - worth millions - achieve the qualification and then resign to work in the private sector.

The first of three orientation courses starts in April this year. The pilots would also have to undergo refresher courses, since several of them had not flown jets for some time. According to Boeing's guidelines BBJ pilots are required to clock a minimum of 1 500 flight hours, of which 1 000 should be in a passenger jet. The Air Force did not, however, anticipate that a problem with the crew would affect flying the aircraft to the extent that it would have to be contracted out to South African Airways. Contracting out to SAA was seen as a last option though, as traditionally the Air Force had always been responsible for transporting the president. Final decision outstanding
The Air Force maintained that it had identified sufficient technical personnel.

Housing the aircraft at the Waterkloof Air Base formed part of the Air Force's short-term implementation project, which involved moving squadrons and accommodating the new aircraft. A final decision, however, has yet to be taken after millions intended for the process was used for other emergency projects on short notice. The jet is currently being painted and undergoing interior decoration in Basel, Switzerland.

Independant Newspapers