State of the SAAF briefing

The Chief of the SA Air Force, Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano, hosted a Media Day at AFB Makhado to brief the press on the state of the airforce.

While the current status of the various aircraft acquisition programs are dealt with in a separate News entry, herewith is a summary of other items of interest that have not been dealt with in other media reports.

Helicopter pilot training

The critical lack of qualified flying instructors is having a noticeable impact on flying training in the SAAF. As a consequence, the SAAF decided to outsource basic helicopter flying to Starlight Aviation in Durban during July 2006. Pilots who have already completed their wings course on the Astra are sent to Starlight Aviation to learn to fly helicopters on a basic helicopter course similar to a civilian helicopter PPL. The training includes 50 hours on the Robinson 22 light piston helicopter and ten hours on the Bell 206 for exposure to turbine engines. Simulator flying and an introduction to night vision systems are also included and the entire course is held under the supervision of a senior SAAF flying instructor.

The first eight students successfully completed their rotary wing conversion course and are currently completing the Oryx conversion. There are a further eight students who are scheduled to finish by the end of March 2007. The SAAF is happy with the concept, which has proved both cost effective and easy for the students to adapt to. Authority for this alternative service delivery has been approved for the next two years, whereafter the SAAF will consider its options.

New aircraft for ab-initio training?

As a result of the suiccessful outsourcing of helicopter pilot training, a study was conducted into the suitability of ab-initio training on light aircraft. It was found to be much cheaper, with better interaction between instructor and student when seated side-by-side. The study also concluded that ti would be cheaper for the airforce to own the aircraft. It was foreseen that the student pilot would fly 60 hours on the new trainer before progressing to the Astra.

C-47 / MPA replacement

Although the requirement for a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) was a high priority for the airforce, it was not seen as a high priority by the SANDF as the SAAF and Navy had received new equipment and the Army was next. However, a new joint effort by the Joint Operations Division would prioritise capabilities and an MPA could be phased in from 2015.

Phasing out of the BK117

It has been planned to start phasing out the BK117 helicopter fleet by the end of September 2007. Six of these helicopters are presently still operational with 15 Squadron and are based at AFB Durban and AFS Port Elizabeth.

Command and Control

Although the airforce was still structured on a mobile approach, Gagiano said that mobile radar was not the answer in Africa. Locally, the airforces mobile and static radar systems were integrated with both ship-based and civilian radar systems. The acquisition of new radar systems was not a high priority, but it should be a high priority for a tactical airforce which required airborne sensors to deploy.

Airforce Gym to move to Hoedspruit

The Gym at Valhalla (opposite Swartkop) has serious sinkhole/dolomite activity. The SAAF is considering moving the SAAF Gym to the Boston complex at AFB Hoedspruit, which is currently being used by the SAPS. Boston was previously used by the airforce for induction and training of airforce security personnel.

The intention will be to move the Gym to Boston after minor renovations and a request was sent to the Public Works Department two weeks ago.

If the Gym does move to Boston, the possibility exists for the condemned buildings at Valhalla to be demolished and existing accommodation improved for use by SAAF guests.