Job Openings at Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

• To determine the operational level of safety that the prospective AOC holders can achieve and does in fact achieve in actual operations. Through evaluation (assess), monitor (conduct periodic and unannounced surveillance) of compliance to operations of an aircraft:
• making recommendations regarding the issuance or amendment of the AOC and the associated operations specifications, and the operator's competence to continue to exercise the privileges of the certificate.
• making recommendations concerning any special conditions that, considering the investigation, may need to be imposed.
• informing the operator of any deficiencies needing rectification; and
• making recommendations concerning appropriate enforcement action.

SITE and AIRLINE INSPECTIONS

• Conduct routine inspections such as the inspection of a station facility, apron, en-route operation and base and carry out oversight or checks considered necessary at prescribed intervals;
• Assess the effectiveness of the operator’s SMS and the level of resources allocated to it;
• Conduct such inspections or oversight in accordance with an established work programme and applicable standard procedures and instructions;
• Advise the operator, in writing, of any significant deficiency, requesting a proposal for remedial action;
• Conduct follow-up on inspection reports to ensure that appropriate action has been taken in a timely manner;
• Submit reports on each inspection or investigation in the manner prescribed, and complete and process the applicable inspection forms;
• Investigate and report, as required, possible violations of the basic aviation law or related safety operating regulations and rules;
• Continuously review the operator's pertinent documentation (e.g. operations, training and MCMs), company policies, operating instructions and information to staff and system of amendments to determine whether they are accurate and made available in a timely manner to persons requiring their use;
• Keep appropriate CAA inspectorate staff informed on all aspects of the current operation and projected developments in the company including changes in executive personnel, in assigned responsibilities and in the operator's organization in general;
• Conduct qualification, approval and supervisory activities with respect to personnel proposed as designated examiners by an operator; and
• Facilitate the qualification, oversight, and the approval over the operator's designated examiners.

PROPOSALS and REVISION of STANDARDS

• Proactively research, develop, and propose the specific standards to be applied in the area of operators' operations.

COMMUNICATIONS and SAFETY PROMOTION

• Project a satisfactory image of the SACAA to all stakeholders.
• Provide industry feedback to the Authority.
• Promote Aviation safety by proposing improvements in operational requirements.

Requirements

Minimum Qualification:

• Grade 12 plus hold or have held an Airline Transport Pilot License or Commercial Pilot License

Ideal Qualification:

• Commercial Pilot License with Frozen ATPL

Experience:

• 1500 hours as a pilot or pilot-in-command of civil or military air transport aircraft ATPL (A) for Part 121 OR 
• 1000 hours as a pilot or pilot-in-command of civil or military air transport aircraft CPL (A) for Part 135

go to method of application »

The focus of the role is to ensure that the following key areas are developed, implemented, and managed to ensure aviation safety and international relations as follows:

• Identification, analyses, and amendment of regulatory changes required to the Civil Aviation Regulation, whether onerous or as a consequence of changes to International Civil Aviation standards and recommended practices and ensure transposition of such into National Regulation;
• Review and recommend any deviations from the regulations applied for by industry in the aviation safety sector and propose mitigations, if recommended, for approval. 
• Strengthened Safety and Security Oversight system

Regulatory Development: 

• Review ICAO Annexes and Recommended practices  to assess the adequacy and completeness of the South African Civil Aviation Regulations and Technical Standards and develop the appropriate Regulations or Regulatory amendments to ensure SACAA compliance 
• Attend ICAO work group and Airworthiness panels, international seminars so as to stay abreast of all applicable Airworthiness Regulatory changes, liaise with the South African Aviation Industry to develop the appropriate Regulations or Regulatory amendments as required to ensure SACAA compliance prior to ICAO applicable dates 
• Review International best practice and Regulations to ensure SACAA conforms to International Regulatory Standards
• Liaise with Industry regarding Regulatory changes to determine the necessity and/or impact of any regulatory changes on the South African Aviation Industry
• Analyse significant defects reports regarding aircraft and determine if any regulatory changes are required to address where trends show that airworthiness may be affected 
• work with the aviation industry, other governmental organizations, and the public in safety matters; 
• establish relationships with foreign authorities for cooperation on Regulatory developments
• Attend all CARCOM, ASO and Airworthiness workgroup meetings, prepare and deliver all Regulations, recommendations and research material as required;
• Exemptions, AMOC, special Approvals:
• Assess Airworthiness related Exemptions, AMOC’s and Special Approvals in relation to the risk, hazard and safety impact to the SACAA, lives and the industry;
• Evaluate the Industry risk assessment of all Exemptions, AMOC’s and Special Approvals to determine if the feasibility of the application;
• iaise with the applicable manager and/or area inspector affected by the application regarding the content of the application;
• Make recommendations to the review board, Legal and Management as per the outcome of the evaluations done. Notify the applicant and the applicable manager of the area affected of the outcome on completion of the process;
• Compare all applications to previous applications received and ensure consistency of evaluation results taking content and feasibility into account;
• Record all applications in the register and evaluate any new applications to previous applications to determine any trends that might be developing. Evaluate any trends in applications for Exemptions, AMOC’s and Special Approvals so as to determine the reason for the developing trends;
• Inform the applicable departments within the SACAA of any trends arising
• Inform the Industry of any trends arising.

Planning

• Develop  and manage annual regulatory and risk-based industry engagement plans. 

Financial Sustainability

• Contribute to accurate activity revenue and costing, planning and budgets Ensures that financial controls are adhered to and reports on expenditure for their functional area provided
• Facilitates the acquisition of services and goods through applicable Supply Chain Management processes

Operational Management

• Define the scope of work, and resources required, schedule work program and manage performance.
• Set and monitor adherence to quality standards in all processes 

Liaison and Policy

• Represent the Authority in negotiations and liaise with stakeholders and industry bodies.
• Contribute to the review of policies, and procedures

Improved Stakeholder Management and Service Excellence

• To project a satisfactory image of the SACAA to all stakeholders.
• To engage with and provide feedback to industry on technical and regulatory amendments.

Enhance Human Capital

• Manage key performance areas of agreed objectives.

Sustain Good Corporate Governance

• Closure of audit findings
• Concise and accurate reporting on strategic and operational deliverables

Requirements

EDUCATION

Minimum

• Grade 12 and be the holder of or have held an Airline Transport Pilot License or frozen ATPL .

Ideal

• Experience in regulation development, participation in ICAO Task teams and work groups

EXPERIENCE

• 5-7 years in Aviation Regulatory experience
• 5 years in Relevant Aviation Technical Experience

go to method of application »

CATS and CAR Development

• In cooperation with Managers: Licensing and Examinations
• Develop and implement Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) and Civil Aviation Technical Standards (CATS) for the Civil Aviation Regulations Part 61, 62, 63, 68, 69 ,71,72 in compliance with the Standards and Recommended Practices of ICAO Annex 1,

Operational Management

• Conduct audits and inspections as per SACAA Procedures to establish compliance.
• Conduct oversight on the activities of designated flight examiners, Radiotelephony examiners, Language Proficiency examiners and flight instructors
• Make relevant recommendations pertaining to safety management systems.
• Investigate regulatory noncompliances and recommend remedial or enforcement measures.
• Provide factual reports of audits and inspections conducted on the training organisations.
• Monitor and follow up on the implementation of corrective action and the closure of action within allocated time frames.
• Facilitate approval, and their maintenance with respect to Training and Procedures Manuals
•  Support the Licensing Administration function within SACAA, including the assessment of applications, against legal requirements in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2011, Parts ,61, 62, 63, 68, 69 and 71.
• Investigate and recommend action to the Director on any deviations from requirements.
• Introduce adequate measures to enable SACAA to effectively carry out its mandate of Safety and Security Oversight
• Update and amend all documentation, checklists, and procedures to ensure compliance with the regulations.
• Review applications for the accreditation of military experience.
• Review applications for the conversion of validation for foreign licenses where directed.

Support to PEL sections and departments

• Provide other technical support as directed by the relevant line manager.

Design of training and testing standards

• Design and develop test standards and examination items for flight crew training and testing.
• Design and periodically review the curricula and syllabi of flight crew licence and rating training and examinations.
• Develop and implement standards for licensing administration that ensures adherence to requirements.
• Develop technical guidance material for flight crew training and testing.

COMMUNICATION AND SAFETY PROMOTION

• Address Industry stakeholder problems/queries in an exemplary manner.
• Provide Industry feedback to the Authority.
• Inculcate upon Industry stakeholders safety prerequisites and procedures.

Industry Liaison and Client Service

• Participate with industry through workshops and conferences in the development of:
• Practical examination/testing/training standards
• The oversight system to portray a positive image of the SACAA
• Liaise with industry to record problemsolving solutions and convey knowledge to the industry to allow for the improvement of standards.
• Resolve customer issues while abiding by regulations and internal policies
• Communicate with industry participants by publishing AIS document and PEL notices.
• Contribute to the content of the PEL web pages.

Requirements

Minimum Qualification:

• Grade 12
• Commercial Pilot License with ATPL subjects or Frozen ATPL plus SA Air Force Flight Instructor rating / Flight Instructor rating issued under Part 61 or Part 62 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2011
• Flight instructors rating with 300 hours rating