Accounting, financial reporting, and regulatory developments
Regulatory Matters in South Africa Developments and Challenges
Transcript of Regulatory Matters in South Africa Developments and Challenges
Regulatory Matters in South Africa
Developments and Challenges
Albert V. Msithini: Manager- Unmanned Aircraft Systems
RPAS Seminar-Lima: 19 April 2012
Brief Overview
• Broad Structure
• SACAA Mandate & Responsibility
• Organizational Achievements
• Formation of the UAS Program Office July 2008
• Establishment of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Standards
Working Group (UASSWG)
• Purpose of the UASSWG
• Developments by the UASSWG
• Recommendation by the SACAA Legal division
• Interim Technical Guidance Material (SACAA)
• Challenges
• Way forward
Broad Structure
Quote: Hon Minister ‘Statement’
of Acknowledgement July 2010’
“
Civil Aviation, in particular air transport, is one of the
world’s most important service industries. . . it is vital to
ensure South Africa’s effective participation in the
provision of orderly, safe and secure air transport
services . . . This White Paper on National Civil
Aviation Policy is the culmination of the tireless and
enthusiastic efforts by officials in my Department, other
government departments as well as members of the
civil aviation and tourism industries, labour unions
and various non-governmental organisations.”
SACAA Mandate
RESPONSIBILITY
The SACAA has been mandated and
empowered by the Civil Aviation Act No
13 of 2009, to regulate and control the
airworthiness and environmental
compatibility of all aircraft as well as the
safety regulation of their operations and
flight crew.
• ICAO Safety Oversight Audit conducted 5th -
16th July 2007
• Scored 8 to 9 out of 10 for all 8 Critical
Elements
• Well above world average
• FAA International Aviation Safety Assessment
Audit 30th July - 2nd August 2007.
• Retained FAA Category 1 status (7th
January 2008)
Organizational Achievements
Establishment of the UASSWG
The demand for civil use of RPAS in
South Africa led to the SACAA, through
the standing consultative processes, to
designate a group of experts from local
industry and other interested individuals.
This was endorsed in July 2008, by the
Commissioner (now DCA) – the
UASSWG born!
Purpose for UASSWG
To assist, the SACAA through legally
recognized channels to develop a
regulatory framework on RPAS, and
deliver robust standards that ensure the
safety and regularity of RPA operations /
missions in South Africa.
Developments by UASSWG
• Terms of Reference Drafted and
Approved (internal process)
• Draft Interim Policy on UAS - 2009
(not approved but placed website)
The White Paper on National Civil
Aviation Policy 2010 – 9 July 2010
(endorsed by the Minister)
Recommendation by the Legal
Division 2011/12 • There is urgent need to develop a guiding document
based (for practical purposes) on the White Paper on
National Civil Aviation Policy July 2010.
• In the absence of dedicated regulations/domestic law,
the SACAA is obliged to generate an interim
technical guidance material based on reputable
guidance documents/leaflets –ICAO Circular 328,
and other regulators guidance documents on RPAS.
Recommendation by the Legal
Division 2011/12 • The SACAA must support the evolution
of RPAS to civil airspace.
• The SACAA must cautiously ensure
industry development and
transformation.
The SACAA as a State organ is not an
observer, but a full ‘participant’
Interim Technical Guidance
Material (SACAA) Derived from the White Paper On National
Civil Aviation Policy 2010
Based on Various International Certification
Standards & Guidance leaflets - Cir. 328.
EASA E.Y013-01, RTCA DO-304, FAA
documents, UK CAP 722, STANAG 4671.
Alternate Means of Compliance done through
an Exemption Process in terms of CAR 11
Excludes Model Aircraft
Interim Technical Guidance
Material (SACAA) Follow the Guidance of Articles of Chicago
Convention
Based on Existing requirements (CARs)
• Registration requirements – CAR 47 & Annex 7
• Certificate of Airworthiness Requirements – CAR 21
& Annex 8
i. standard,
ii. restricted,
iii. Experimental; and
iv. special flight permit.
Validity and type handled on a case-by-case!
• Air Operators and Pilots – CAR 61, 65, & 67 Annex
1, 6 & 8
i. Air Operator Certificate - organization requirements
ii. Pilot licensing requirements
iii. Pilot training requirements
iv. Medical certificate requirements
Validation and acceptance of non-SA licenses / license-
holders, other licenses issued by reputable entity (e.g.
SAAF) will follow existing validation polices &
procedures and will be handled on a case-by-case!
Interim Technical Guidance
Material (SACAA)
Interim Technical Guidance
Material (SACAA) Air Traffic Management & Frequency
Spectrum allocation – SACAA CNS DIV
• Existing ATS/ATM/ ATC rules apply CAR
171, & 172 , Annex 10 & 11– unless stated
otherwise!
i. Air-to-ground link between RPA & RPS
ii. Air-to-ground link between ATS/ATC and RPA
iii. Communication link between RPAS pilot and
ATS/ATC station
iv. Personnel training for ATS/ATC
Interim Technical Guidance
Material (SACAA) Aviation Security (AVSEC) and
Dangerous Goods considerations • The SACAA AVSEC division not prepared to allow
operations until further research proves otherwise.
• Project was started by industry for medical research
purposes NHLS
• The SACAA legal division has recommended that
the process be reviewed and handled as per the new
TGM (now under review by affected divisions)
Interim Technical Guidance
Material (SACAA)
Proposed Classifications / Categorizations
• Below 150kg as a starting point
• Shall take into account: size, weight,
complexity, human factors, airspace
requirements, & operational characteristics
• The SACAA shall handle and determine
class on a case-by-case basis
Interim Technical Guidance
Material (SACAA) • The following shall apply as a start: i. Very small RPA: 0 to 2kg VLOS, VRF only
ii. Small RPA: Above 2kg to 20kg VLOS/BVLOS and
VFR/IFR operations
iii. Light RPA: Above 20kg to 150kg VLOS/BVLOS and
VFR/IFR operations
iv. Above 150kg: VLOS/BVLOS, VFR/IFR, additionally RLOS
/BRLOS
Interim Technical Guidance
Material (SACAA) • Category of operations to be based on:
i. Commercial air transport (freight)
ii. Commercial aerial work (for remuneration)
iii. Corporate aerial work (Eskom for power
lines inspections, mines surveys etc.)
Note. Classifications and Categorizations
applied flexibly until a certain acceptable
level of maturity is attained by the SACAA
and industry!
Challenges
• UASPO ‘positioned’ in obscure territory in
overall structure – SM: CE . . .
• SACAA technical resources – Only one unit,
and one resource
• Inter-departmental support – affected
sections tend to shy away from new techn.
• Partial support from NDOT, hence slow
response by the SACAA Exec.
Challenges
• The SACAA is being led: Primary obligation
is questioned – UAS seminar February 2012
• Numerous demands from ex-military to civil
RPAS operational demands!
• Owners / operators of model aircraft doing to
commercial activity
• Many non-aviation businesses and entities
importing RPAS – guidance in aviation
perspective not easily achievable
Challenges
Fee structure/related issues
i. For C of A currency – weight category
ii. Pilots licenses: same as above & type
iii. Medical; classifications ? ? ?
iv. Auditing / Inspection teams selection due to
specialization – 121,127, or 135
v. Fixed or hourly rates
Due to politics; e.g. Acting Positions in Exec
from top to SM level . . .
Way forward
• Full industry support – available and ready
(seminar February 2012)
• SACAA to finalize interim TGM ASAP –
May 2012?
• SACAA must still recruit suitable
resources for all divisions - !
• Full SACAA support for the progress of
on-going projects – NHLS & Seeker
Contact Details
The South African Civil Aviation Authority
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Tel: +2711 545 1000 Ext. 1125 &1207
Fax: + 2786 584 2326
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.caa.co.za
Thank you!
Questions? Comments &
Observations!