Page 7 - World Airnews Magazine November 2020

PILOTS IN
CRISIS

IT’S NOT COVID – IT’S

POLITICS

By Heidi Gibson

Photo by Blake Guidry on Unsplash

there, there is place now for 88. We believe Matters are getting worse. “I can tell you
the fleet now comprises of eight aircraft.” of two occasions where I have been called

here is a major crisis facing thou- “We have a government that is desper- in because the pathology of a person who
Tsands of skilled pilots in South Afri- ately clinging to the airline not because has reached crisis levels, where there is no
hope and suicide is the only option.”

ca who have lost their jobs, livelihoods and they deserve one but because of political

career paths as a result of the international pride. The government will now rob the WORDS OF ADVICE
and national lockdown. taxpayer again to bailout the airline out He offered this advice:

with billions of rands when really what they

Unofficial observations are that the ten- should do is shut it down. Sadly, it is the 1. Invest in a dual career or find a second

dency to suicide is climbing as a quick solu- pilots who are the victims here.” source of income. This is something that

tion has not materialised, second waves of “South Africa has an international reputa- you should have done while you were

Covid-29 infections have hit and experts tion as having produced some of the finest employed.

estimate things will only start to come right 2. If you have not, invest your time in

in two to three years. pilots in the world – champions in their finding out what your latent entrepre-

own right, who are now left with nothing.

A well-known South African powerhouse in Consider for example those with ATP wide- neurial flair or skills are.

the aviation sector, retired Professor Johann body experience and those with specialist 3. Don’t risk whatever cash you have in a

Coetzee has laid the blame squarely at the skills. It is very hard for them to find alter- high-risk business venture because you

feet of government. “Covid-19 has not done nate work when the international airlines are desperate. Don’t make any major

this, it is politics,” he told World Airnews. find themselves in a similar situation”. decisions for the next six months.

Coetzee and a team of aviation profes- He said in some cases there are pilots who 4. Look for work opportunities at similar

sionals are responsible for the establish- have been able to weather the storm having organisations. For example, those with

ment of the Institute for Aviation Psycholo- taken out personal income protection insur- helicopter licences can fly ambulances

gy situated at Henley Air in Johannesburg. ance policies and they have received some or corporate charter work. Fly the Lear

The Institute has been going for 20 years kind of pay-out, but for most – they have jet or King Air for example, if there is

and offers a safe place for pilots, aviation not been receiving a salary since March. In a chance to get paid. Getting some

professionals and their families to receive other cases, some were able to diversify and income is better than none at all.

counselling. now, for example, own a small herd of cattle 5. Spend some time exploring your diversi-

Referring to the crisis with the national and have managed to go into this sector. fied potential and rekindle yourself

carrier, Coetzee said the extra ordinary In other instances, individuals spend their “It’s easy to say this but when you are de-
high numbers of unemployed pilots today hours keeping fit, training or riding bikes but spondent your ingenuity also dies. What we

are as a direct result of an incompetent these pursuits also drain precious resources try to do is to help these individuals find

government clinging to an airline that has that are already in short supply. success instead of remaining in failure,”
been defunct for more than 10 years. Pilots affected are across the age sector “ The crisis is not only confined to pilots

Working on a voluntary or pro-bona – those in the 30s/40s and 50s - men and but is being felt in ancillary services such as
basis, Coetzee has been at the coal face women who are the head households, with Air Traffic Control etc.

of this aviation crisis, offering advice and bonds to pay, children in school and cars “This is a crisis extends to youngsters
coaching to former SAA and SA Express to pay and who now - all of a sudden are who are in the process of studying for a
pilots and their families whose lives and without an income. career in an industry that is not there for
future remain uncertain. “They are unemployed and find them- them anymore. Educators are advising

“10 years of political ineptitude has left our selves in an industry world-wide where them to think again and consider another

national carrier defunct and in a state of total they are unemployable due to a crisis with career – because nobody knows what is

collapse. Of the 700 pilots that used to work no solution in sight,” he said. going to happen”. Q

World Airnews | November / December 2020
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