The General Notice serves to address all Maintenance related flights necessary in terms of the Civil Aviation Regulations, 2011 (As amended) and as recommended by aircraft and aircraft engine manufacturers. South African Civil Aviation Authority (“SACAA”) has put in place a contingency requirement to cater for the COVID-19 pandemic circumstances to ensure acceptable level of aircraft continuing airworthiness during the lockdown period.
On 15 March 2020, the President of the Republic of South Africa declared a national state of disaster regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. In this regard, the President also put in place several measures with the intention of limiting exposure and the potential spread of the virus. On 23 March 2020, in furtherance of the management of the state of disaster, the President declared a 21-day national lockdown effective 26 March 2020 at midnight. On 9 April the President further announced an extension of the lockdown up to 30 April 2020.
Furthermore, on 23 April 2020 the President announce the easing of restrictions of the lockdown to Level 4 from 01 May 2020 which would allow business to open the workplaces for a limited number of employees returning to work. The objective under Level 4 is to take extreme precautions to limit transmissions and outbreaks while allowing some activities to resume.
Following the issuance of the Regulation by The Minister of Transport (Government Gazette 43271 dated 4 May 2020) in line with the regulations promulgated by the Minister of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs published on 30 April 2020 this Notice provide the aviation industry the necessary guidance for compliance.
Certificate of Release (CRS) is due to expire during the lockdown
This provision is applicable to application for Special Flight Permit to aircraft with a valid certificate of airworthiness (C of A) or valid authority to fly (ATF) but the CRS is due to expire during lockdown
To conduct the necessary or requisite positioning or ferry flight for maintenance purposes.
The applicant must submit a copy of the current CRS if annual maintenance inspection is due.
If hourly maintenance inspection is due the applicant must submit a copy of the current CRS and the Flight Folio.
The applicant must also submit confirmation letter form the AMO where the aircraft is booked for such maintenance. 4.1.6. No application fee for special flight permit necessary under these circumstances.
Certificate of Release (CRS) has already expired during the lockdown
This provision is applicable to an application for Special Flight Permit to aircraft with a valid certificate of airworthiness (C of A) or valid authority to fly (ATF) but the CRS has already expired during lock-down and prior to the issuance of this notice.
SACAA Approved Person, AME or AMO must inspect and release aircraft for the intended flight with an entry in the logbooks or a CRMA from the AMO. Updated flight folio with entry certifying that the aircraft is safe for the intended flight.
The applicant must submit a copy of the previous or expired CRS.
The applicant must also submit a confirmation letter form the AMO where the aircraft is booked for such maintenance.
No application fee for special flight permits necessary under these circumstances.
Continued Airworthiness flights recommended by aircraft or engine manufacturer
Application for Special flight permits is required but no application fee necessary for these flights.
The applicant must submit an extract from the manufacturer’s documentation stipulating the required continued airworthiness flights and the associated specific requirements as applicable.
The applicant must also submit the flight folio entry certifying that the aircraft is safe for the intended flight.
SACAA Approved Person, AME or AMO must inspect and release aircraft for the intended flight with an entry in the logbooks or a CRMA from the AMO.
The special flight permits will be issued for take-off and landing at the same airport or airfield.
The flight will be restricted to 50nm radius from the relevant airport or airfield.
We have added the prescribed storage requirements from major engine manufacturers please download the relevant document.
Maintenance Flight Tests
Although the Privileges of an AMO Approval holder that are under CAR 145.02.8 remain unaffected during the lockdown period, however, since flights are prohibited during lock-down, AMO’s, operators or owners of locally registered aircraft that intend to perform Test Flights after Maintenance are required to apply for a special flight permit
The contracted AMO of an Operator or Owner of an aircraft may make an application for a special flight permit in all instances where a Test Flight is required and obtain such permit prior to finally handing over the Aircraft to Flight crews who will be conducting the Test Flight.
Ground Engine Run
All aircraft shall be maintained or preserved in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements and it is the responsibility of the owner and operator to ensure that the necessary requirements are complied with.
All aircraft engine ground runs are to be conducted by either a pilot, approved person or aircraft maintenance engineer as required and in accordance with the requirements of the South African Civil Aviation Regulations 2011
No additional or further SACAA approval is necessary or required for ground engine run.
Submission of the Special Flight Permit application form
Application form applicable for ZS registered aircraft is CA 21-15
Application form applicable for ZU registered aircraft is CA 24-05
Please download forms here
Special flight permit applications must be submitted to armstrongJ@caa.co.za
For any comments, suggestions or general queries regarding the above should be directed to Lobang Thabantso, Acting Senior Manager, Airworthiness Department at thabantsol@caa.co.za or Mobile: 083 461 6508
I hope this helps to clarify the process and gets everyone in the air as soon as possible.
SACAA document can be downloaded here GENERAL NOTICE #. AIR-2020/001- COVID-19
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