May / June issue of SAMAA News

The May / June issue is available on the web site.

Update from Percy on World Cup flying restrictions

I received a message during the weekend to request a meeting in this week with General Mark Hankel of Criminal Intelligence to make sure that we are aware of the seriousness of complying with their guidelines.

The message is that they will take whatever action they deem fit in respect of model pilots that ignore the security guidelines and in respect to the models involved in such a breach.

I referred him to Colonel De Villiers and to our Web site.

Regards
Percy

Note: you can find here details of what clubs are affected and when.

WARBIRDS MEET POSTPONED TO 31 JULY and 1 AUGUST 2010

According to a Notam received from OC Waterkloof Air Force Base, no flying activity on a SAAF facility within a 50 kilometer radius of a soccer stadium will be allowed on the day that a World Cup Soccer Match is played at the stadium. This includes radio control flying.

When this was told to me by Lt-Col Clive Shepherd at the Museum I knew that there was no way to fight this.

I immediately asked for new dates and the WARBIRDS 2010 will be on the 31st July and the turbine meeting on the 1st Aug 2010 at Swartkop Air Force Base.

Gert de Klerk

Flying restrictions during FIFA World Cup -- update from Lionel Brink

Hi Everyone,

Please be advised that the CAA have issued a Security Notice that will restrict RC flying during the 2010 WC. SAMAA have confirmed that this is only applicable to RC fields/sites that are within 5 NM radius of stadiums & on those days that matches are scheduled at the specific stadium. For any further information, please feel free to contact Bob at the SAMAA office.

Attached below the letter that will be forwarded to affected clubs as well as the list of sites/dates affected in PDF format.

Regards,

Lionel Brink

---------------------------------

Dear club administrators

You are no doubt aware of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, and that the government needs to provide security during this event. This responsibility has been delegated to the SA Police Services, who are collaborating with the SA Air Force, to ensure security of airspace. Obviously, this is going to have an impact on our activities, but only at a few clubs within the specified 5NM distance of the various stadiums.

The SAMAA has been in consultation with the SA Aero Club, and the SA Air Force. I attach the AIRAC AIP Supplement S/044/10 dated 6th May. (Aeronautical Information Publication), as well as the information brochure issued by the SA Air Force (Col Elma de Villiers). At the bottom of this message, is a reply from Col de Villiers. The ruling given to SAMAA, is that the clubs affected may not allow their members to fly at the affected fields/flying sites, on the day of the matches in that area. The attached Excel Workbook gives a clear layout of the clubs affected.

Worst affected is the Pretoria Military RC Flying Club, which only operates on a Wednesday afternoon, and for two weeks in a row, they will not be allowed to operate. Maybe an approach can be made to Pretoria Radio Flyers for use of their facilities on these two days. Next worst affected are the four Durban sites within the 5 nautical mile radius of the Moses Mabhida Stadium, and for Sunday 13th June and Saturday 19th June, they will not be allowed to operate. Capricorn Radio Model Flying Club in Polokwane is affected on Sunday 13th June.

This is on the assumption that most clubs operate on weekends, but please look at the matrix and advise all your members that flying is prohibited on the days of the matches, for those clubs within a 5 nautical mile radius from the stadia. The exception is the Johannesburg area, where an oval of 3.5nm radius covers Soccer City and Ellis Park, but none of our clubs are within this area.

Contact me if anything is unclear. Please acknowledge receipt of this message.

Best regards and safe flying

Bob Skinner

General Manager: SA Model Aircraft Association

PO Box 7116, Bonaero Park 1622

Tel 0119733679 fax 0866078733

-----Original Message-----

From: Elma De Villiers

Sent: 11 May 2010 07:26 AM

To: samaa-admin@mweb.co.za

Subject: FW: INFO BROCHURE - AIRSPACE SECURITY REGS

Bob,

The major restriction that we are concerned about is the 5NM around each stadium and definitely we will not allow radio controlled operations in that area. Some updated information; I have just discussed this with my commander, and he confirmed that we will not allow any flights inside the 5NM area. But we have now decided that there is no need for your members to apply for SSCs, unless they are participating in a special event that might infringe on the 5 NM.

Regards

2010 SA Jet Masters -- Dave Armitage

The 2010 SA Jet Masters will take place at Swartkop Air Force base over the weekend of the 22nd 23rd May

This event is part of the qualifying process for the SA Team to go to the USA in 2011

All the top local models and pilots will be there

Flying starts at 10h00 on Saturday

Refreshments will be available and parking will be on the base

All proceeds go to The SA Airforce Museum

Gariep 2010 -- Boet Denysschen

Possible restriction of model flying during World Cup

Lionel Brink posted this note on the MGA list today.

Hi everyone,

Please be advised that the CAA have issued notice of airspace restrictions that could affect RC flying.  This appears to be limited to airspaces within 5 NM of the stadiums were 2010 WC matches are scheduled to be held.  The full document can be found on the CAA's web site.

From Bob Skinner: "SAMAA management is in consultation with CAA, RAASA, Aero Club, SAAF, and SAPS. It might not be as bad as the first reactions. We will issue a communique as soon as facts have been established. Two issues are important: air safety during WC period (50nm radius), and stadium safety during matches (5nm radius). Authorities have allowed for relaxation/exemption, especially for scheduled competitions.

More information to follow."

Regards,

Lionel Brink
Chairman: Model Glider Association