Newsletters

Newsletters from Professional Aviation Services

Our world in 2018

Posted by

0

by Tony Frost, tony@siroccostrategy.com

 

It would be easy and accurate to say that 2018 will not be very different from any other year. Some say it has to be better than 2017. Of course it doesn’t, but it may well be.

We live in a fractured and fracturing world. Much of this is the result of poor or non-existent leadership. We see it in our own country, but it is equally prevalent and maybe even more dramatic abroad. Here we just have to think of the tweeted rantings of Trump and the dithering Theresa May to put our own trial and tribulations into context. Some say that emigrating is the answer. I am not so sure about that.

Whatever happens; things are going to happen, some big and some small, over which we have no control. This, however, is not the issue, what is the issue is that we may have no control over events and circumstances round us, but we most certainly have control over how we view and react to those things. Before we get into any scenarios about 2018 let us be sure that we fix our mindset.  Last year I wrote about the crucial attitudes needed for success. They are no less important for the year ahead:

  1. Fix your Mindset

There is little more demeaning and self-defeating than a victim mentality!  Have a sense of hope, spread this hope and be joyful about life. It really is worth living!

  1. Be Courageous

Surround yourself with like-minded people who also want to make positive change happen.

  1. Make Creativity your Centrepoint

Society starts with you. We CANNOT leave the future to the politicians. You are the centrepoint of all of society and if ever there was time for innovativeness and creativity it is now. Be at the centre of renewal.

  1. Persevere!

There is no way you would be able to summit Mount Everest unless you are prepared to persevere, hang in there, keep going. Especially when the going gets rough and tough! But the rewards are priceless!

  1. Spread the Love

There is too much animosity in the world. We are all too angry about too much, but do not really know what we are angry with, or at, or about. Anger is a useless emotion. Get rid of your anger it will not help you in the long run. Love is contagious. Love those around you and let them know it. This will come back to you in countless, and often surprising ways.

  1. Live and Work IN the World

The world is truly a village; a village of increasing complexity which simultaneously becomes more accessible and more opaque; bigger and smaller; faster and slower; closer and further. Without education it must feel like a world of chaos. Even with education it is often extremely difficult to understand. And yet it is our world. It is critical that we are part of it; just as it is part of us. We cannot escape from this globalised world. Avoid looking only at the needs and wants of our village, or our country. Be a world citizen, but live and work locally.

  1. Make sure you Stand for Something

Too many of us concentrate on being busy; almost as though busyness on its own will bring rewards.  But busyness on its own will inevitably lead to disaster. At the end of one’s life no-one will ever ask what we were busy at; instead they will talk about what we represented; what we stood for. These are the things that make for positive change in society. Think of global icons – Mandela, Mother Theresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Desmond Tutu. All of these individuals are known way beyond their singular area of activity or interest because of what they stood for, not what they were busy doing.

So now for 2018:

Politics: For South Africans 2018 will, to all intents and purposes, be a precursor to 2019 when our next National Elections take place. This will mean our year ahead will be filled even more than usually with politics, politicians and politicking. It will be tempting to get sucked into this maelstrom. But rather make your presence felt at local level where it really counts. People protest locally about local issues. There has been very little protest nationally about national issues although Zuma has helped to change this somewhat.

Economics: Economics is the twin sister of politics: Especially for a little country like South Africa which is so dependent on the goodwill of the world. This means that we must make our democracy work for all at all levels. Especially locally! We desperately need radical job creation! Be entrepreneurial. Support local entrepreneurs. Buy South African!

Education: Much of our education is shambolic. If you are reading this you are probably amongst the educated elite. Education is an easy area in which to make a meaningful contribution. Teach kids to read. Volunteer at one of the local schools. Mentor teachers, principals. Provide financial support to the kids of your employees. The matriculating class of 2017 represented only 37% of those that started school 12 years earlier. Education is our biggest crisis!

Technology: We are in the throes of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. New technology will be in our faces at every turn. Jobs will be lost, but many new jobs will be created. Embrace the change. It is all designed to make living and working easier and to make our connected world even more connected.

Society: Our fractured, tormented past haunts us. We live in divided dormitories. But recent research shows that South Africans are generally not racist and all want to be part of a really new and undivided South Africa. If we wish to build a united South Africa at peace with itself we have to reach out to those who we see as being different, maybe even strangers. Indeed many of us see our own countrymen and women as foreigners. Only we can change this. Not someone else. Not the politicians (actually for many of them it is not even in their interests to do so). Not the government. Us, we and them, are the only ones who have the capacity to make the change happen and we will be the biggest beneficiaries.

In summary 2018 is a year of change, of opportunity, of some uncertainty on the economic and political front, but it mostly a year in which the citizenry can really make our presence felt. It is really up to us to create the kind of country we want. This is far too important a task to leave to the politicians!

 

Cargo Security Bulletin to Regulated Agents, Known Consignors, Airlines and Charter organisations

Posted by

0

This bulletin takes the form of short highlights, PLEASE CONTACT us by e-mail if you require any FURTHER INFORMATION or EXPANSION of the information provided.

Where italics are shown this means a direct QUOTE FROM REGULATIONS, TECHNICAL STANDARDS or other CORRESPONDENCE received from the SACAA or other official bodies.

NEW PROFESSIONAL TRAINING CENTRE OPENS

We have OPENED our TRAINING CENTRE at Unit C, Wingfield Park, Geertsma Road in JET PARK (map at http://www.professionaltraining.co.za/map-to-our-training-facilities.php)

Regular scheduled TRAINING PROGRAMMES covering aviation cargo security familiarisation training take place every Tuesday and Dangerous Goods Awareness (CAT 4) every Wednesday.

The 2015 training schedule is at http://www.professionaltraining.co.za/2015-training-program.php

EUROPEAN UNION CARGO SECURITY REQUIREMENTS EFFECTIVE 1 JULY 2014.

South Africa was placed on the EU “Green List” effective 1st July 2014.

In our view, this change REDUCES the level of cargo SECURITY.

It is our STRONG ADVICE that those Regulated Agents who are REGISTERED under the EU Regulations and hold EU RA3 APPROVAL, continue to APPLY the practices applicable to the EU Regulations for two MAIN REASONS, firstly, INCREASED SECURITY and secondly, if there were an incident, and an EU accredited agent had not COMPLIED with the EU Regulations (having made a DECLARATION to do so) this could be considered a serious BREACH OF LIABILITY INSURANCE requirements.

Certain of our clients have elected to become EU REGISTERED, despite the fact that we are on the Green List, which we ENCOURAGE.

COMPREHENSIVE BACKGROUND CHECK AND CV VERIFICATION SERVICE (INCLUDING CREDIT CHECKS)

This service includes what is required under Part 110 but also provides the FULL RANGE of employee background checks including:

· DRIVERS LICENCE

· PUBLIC DRIVING PERMIT

· MATRIC CERTIFICATE AND OTHER ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

· CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK

· ID VERIFICATION

· CITIZENSHIP AND PERMEANT RESIDENCE VERIFICATION

· PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY REGULATORY AUTHORITY (PSIRA)

These services are available to be IMPLEMENTED at YOUR PREMISES, please contact us for full details

PART 109 AND 110

We report, once again, with DEEP REGRET, and fear of the security breach that this presents, that the SACAA have still NOT YET COMPLETED the amendments to PART 108, 109 AND 110. This has been raised at the Civil Aviation Regulations Committee (CARCom), on which committee we are represented through the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA), but despite pressure having been brought at CARCOM, by our representative, we still sit in LIMBO as far as these regulations are concerned.

There is a STRONG INDICATION that the Regulations may be READY for presentation at the 26TH JANUARY 2015 CARCom meeting.

We have mentioned on numerous occasions, in our bulletins and elsewhere, that the REQUIREMENTS UNDER PART 108 for cargo screeners are COMPLETELY INADEQUATE.

We cannot be more adamant when we say it is VITAL that although the requirements for certification of cargo screeners, and training, under Part 110, are NOT CURRENTLY APPLICABLE you NEVERTHELESS APPLY these requirements STRICTLY.

FREE CHECK OF YOUR SECURITY MANUALS

We repeat point 4 of Bulletin 33.

If your SECURITY MANUAL was not prepared by ourselves or under our supervision, we would be more than happy to provide you with a FREE CHECK and WRITTEN REPORT on your security manual. The fact that your manual may have been approved by the SACAA does not absolve you from ensuring that the manual is accurate, all inclusive and practical. Here again there may be INSURANCE LIABILITY implications if your MANUAL is INCOMPLETE.

FACILITATED eLEARNING TRAINING

Here again, we must state with GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT that there has been NO DISCERNIBLE PROGRESS by the SACAA to bring the eLearning system into operation. The changes to incorporate the eLearning requirements are to be contained in the Part 109 amendments (see 4 above).

SACAA SERVICE

We would like to COMPLIMENT the DIRECTOR FOR CIVIL AVIATION, MS POPPY KHOZA, for her INITIATIVE in initiating a survey of SACAA SERVICE PERFORMANCE. This survey was conducted by a team from the UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA and consisted not only of a questionnaire, which was e-mailed to various bodies, but also meetings with industry in Gauteng and Cape Town. WE ATTENDED the GAUTENG MEETING, together with REPRESENTATIVES of a number of AVIATION ORGANISATIONS, and were assured that comments, suggestions and criticism would be CONFIDENTIAL and would be CONTAINED IN A REPORT which will be released to participants. The meeting we attended lasted some hours and there was an open detailed and SIGNIFICANT DISCUSSION, particularly focused on those WEAKNESSES that had been experienced with regard to service from the SACAA.

We will keep you advised and will distribute the report with the authority of the SACAA.

LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

We repeat what was contained in Bulletin 33.

There have been NUMEROUS INCIDENTS of SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION of lithium-ion batteries around the world and there are strong rumours that perhaps large quantities of lithium-ion batteries were TRANSPORTED ON MH370. Please find attached two articles that appeared in FTW written by SEAN REYNOLDS who is OUR AUTHORITY on LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES. We are running a number of half day LITHIUM-ION BATTERY COURSES over the next couple of months. Please contact us for further information.

Lithium Batteries                                                 lithium battery article

We are very pleased to say that these COURSES are now available ONLINE which means that your personnel can complete this course while continuing with their operational duties.

AVAILABILITY OF THE CARGO SCREENING TEAM INCLUDING EMERGENCY CANINE SCREENING

We are AVAILABLE 24/7 through our control room telephone number 0860 PART 108 or 011 701-3320, further alternatively, through our General Manager Compliance, David Alexander at david@prisk.co.za or cell 082 308 0169.

We are AVAILABLE 24/7 throughout the HOLIDAY PERIOD.

THANKS AND GREETINGS

WE TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY OF THANKING OUR CLIENTS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND TO WISH ALL OF YOU GOD’S BLESSINGS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON AND THE NEW YEAR.

Kind Regards from the team at Professional.

SECURITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE WILL SAVE LIVES.

Cargo Security Bulletin to Regulated Agents, Known Consignors and Charter organisations

Posted by

0

This bulletin takes the form of short highlights, PLEASE CONTACT us by e-mail if you require any FURTHER INFORMATION or EXPANSION of the information given.

1 FAMILIARISATION TRAINING – GOOD NEWS !!

We have just completed an ELECTRONIC TRAINING COURSE which is now available. This means YOUR STAFF will be able to complete their FAMILIARISATION TRAINING ONLINE. We are also in the process of DEVELOPING ONLINE TRAINING covering DANGEROUS GOODS and OTHER COURSES which will be available from mid JANUARY 2013. LOANER LAPTOPS, in a limited quantity, are also AVAILABLE.

VISIT OUR TRAINING PORTAL TODAY!

2 New Regulations

Part 92, 108, 109, 110 and 111 Regulations came into full EFFECT from 1ST AUGUST 2012. Please note that the SACAA PROPOSED, which proposal was accepted by an industry / SACAA sub committee, that PART 110 AND 109 TECHNICAL STANDARDS SHOULD BE KEPT RESTRICTED.

Bob Garbett, who serves on the sub committee, and on CARcom, was ADAMANTLY AGAINST this proposal for all the OBVIOUS REASONS, however, certain members of industry and the SACAA SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL. The proposal was then submitted to CARcom (the Civil Aviation Regulations Committee) at which it was PROPOSED that Part 108 TECHNICAL STANDARDS should also be RESTRICTED. This too was carried against OBJECTIONS from the COMMERCIAL AVIATION ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (on which body Bob Garbett is an honorary Director for Life). CAASA has NOT DROPPED THIS MATTER and APPEALED the decision by CARcom. Frankly, this is a RIDICULOUS SITUATION, which option we have voiced STRONGLY at CARcom, through CAASA, as any amendments, for example to these Technical Standards would also have to be applied for creating an unnecessary burden of administration for all.

In the meantime, if you do not have COPIES OF THESE TECHNICAL STANDARDS (and most Regulated Agents and airlines, ironically, all already have copies) you need to make APPLICATION to the CAA. We suggest (if you REQUIRE the TECHNICAL STANDARDS) that you address a LETTER to the SACAA requesting copies of the Part 110, 109 and 108 Technical Standards and SEND the letter to OURSELVES. WE will then APPROACH THE SACAA with batches of letters and ensure that authority for your holding a copy of the Technical Standards is obtained as soon as possible. The letter should STATE WHETHER or not you ALREADY HOLD a current set of these Technical Standards.

It was DIRECTED by CARcom at the 28th November meeting, as a result of the CAASA appeal, that this decision must be REVIEWED at the next sub committee meeting to be held in JANUARY.

3 Part 109 and Part 110

The SACAA have as yet still not completed the proposed AMENDMENTS to these Regulations which will incorporate all TRAINING including training required under Part 108 (currently regulated under Part 141) into Part 109. We hope this will be CONCLUDED by the SECOND QUARTER of NEXT YEAR. We are also advised that Aviation Information Circular AIC 18-49, which eliminates certain requirements for cargo screeners under Part 110, will be withdrawn. In the meantime, it is of MAJOR IMPORTANCE that cargo screeners COMPLY with the PROVISIONS of Part 110 which are LISTED BELOW (previously listed in Bulletin 24, April 2011, and Bulletin 19, May 2010).

a) SECURITY GRADING in terms of the Security Act no. 56 2001.

b) The security graded screener must be EMPLOYED BY A SECURITY SERVICE PROVIDER.

c) The screener must have at least DANGEROUS GOODS CAT 12.

d) The screener must have STANDARD AIR CARGO SECURITY TRAINING LEVEL 1.

e) Category 1: SECURITY SCREENER TRAINING

f) The screener must have completed AWARENESS TRAINING in terms of Part 109 (if he works at an airport) and or, if he works at an off airport Regulated Agent, FAMILIARISATION TRAINING in terms of Part 108.

g) The screener must have a CLASS II MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.

h) 40 HOURS CLASSROOM training, 40 HOURS PRACTICAL TRAINING.

i) COMPREHENSIVE BACKGROUND CHECK as set out in Part 110.

4 Designated officials, deputies and their employer to be registered with PSIRA.

Please find attached a LETTER from PSIRA dated 13th September 2012 addressed to the SACAA which was CIRCULATED by the SACAA recently. It is of SIGNIFICANT IMPORTANCE that you note that DESIGNATED OFFICIALS, their DEPUTIES and their EMPLOYERS (if you are employing persons in these positions) must be REGISTERED WITH PSIRA.

In our view, it MAKES SENSE from every point of view that INSTEAD OF EMPLOYING your own Designated Official and Deputy, these are PROVIDED BY A SERVICE PROVIDER.

5 Please refer to point 5 of Bulletin no. 29 of 20th June 2012 under “MEETING WITH DIRECTOR AND SENIOR STAFF OF AVSEC”. REPORT BACK

5.1 AIC 18-49, as mentioned above, will be WITHDRAWN.

5.2 Part 108, Part 109 Awareness Training has NOT IMPROVED.

5.3 GRADING OF DESIGNATED OFFICIALS, this has now been FINALISED, see above.

5.4 We stress that HAND SEARCH should be AVOIDED in all circumstances due to LIABILITY IMPLICATIONS.

5.5 The Part 110 and 109 AMENDMENTS have still NOT been COMPLETED.

5.6 KNOWN CONSIGNORS is still at an unacceptably LOW LEVEL.

5.7 MATURING has now been REMOVED as a security control.

Kind regards from the team at Professional Risk.

SECURITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE WILL SAVE LIVES.

Aviation Security and Dangerous Goods training program for November and December 2012

Posted by

0

Professional is pleased to announce our aviation security and dangerous goods training program for November and December 2012:

1. Standard Air Cargo Security Training Level 1

This 5 day course for air cargo security screeners will be offered from 5th to 9th November 2012  and 3rd to 7th December 2012 at our training centre at Transit Park, 27 Pomona Road, Pomona. The starting time for the course will be 07h30 for 08h00 daily. All course material, refreshments and lunches included.

Please note that bookings close on Wednesday the 31 October for the November course and on Wednesday 28th November for the December course, submit your booking forms now to avoid disappointment.

2. Standard Air Cargo Security Level 2          

The 5 day course for Supervisors and Managers will be offered from 19th to 23rd November 2012 and 10th to 14th December 2012 at our training centre at Transit Park, 27 Pomona Road, Pomona. The starting time for the course will be 07h30 for 08h00 daily. All course material, refreshments and lunches included.

Please note that bookings close on Wednesday the 14 November and on Wednesday 5th December for the December course, submit your booking forms now to avoid disappointment.

3. Air Cargo Security Familiarisation Training 

This is the basic foundation air cargo security course and it is mandatory for all persons who are employed in the air cargo warehouse, all who deal with air cargo or air cargo documentation and for any person who enjoys unescorted access to the air cargo warehouse.

This full day course will be offered every week day in November 2012 and every week day to 14th December 2012 at our training centre at Transit Park, 27 Pomona Road, Pomona. The starting time for the course will be 07h30 for 08h00 daily. All course material, refreshments and lunches included.

Please note that bookings close 5 working days prior to each course so submit your booking forms now to avoid disappointment.

4. Dangerous Goods (CAT 4) 

We will offer the full day Dangerous Goods awareness course in Category 4 on 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 November 2012 at our training centre at Transit Park, 27 Pomona Road, Pomona. The starting time for the course will be 07h30 for 08h00 daily. All course material, refreshments and lunches included.

Please note that bookings close 5 working days prior to each course so submit your booking forms now to avoid disappointment.

In House Course

To assist with your operations and planning, Professional offers all courses on an in-house training basis subject to minimum class sizes and/or rates. A surcharge may apply for weekend training.

Contact David on david@prisk.co.za, Sean on sean@prisk.co.za, Brett on brett@prisk.co.za or Elliot on elliot@prisk.co.za for further details.

Thanks,

The Professional Team