Pilot shortages wipe out combat readiness of Air Force

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu is "personally really satisfied with the state of readiness" of the defence force.

But the drastic shortage of pilots in the defence force has effectively wiped out the state of combat readiness of the South African Air Force.

In a reply to a parliamentary question, it was revealed that:

• 48% of posts for combat pilots are vacant (29 of 60 posts vacant), and it takes seventeen months to train up a combat pilot.
• 34% of posts for helicopter pilots are vacant (58 of 167 posts vacant), and it takes sixteen months to train a helicopter pilot.
• 30% of posts for transport pilots are vacant (48 of 156 posts vacant), and it takes twelve months to train transport pilots.

This is why the Air Force is effectively grounded, with planes spending more time in hangers than in the air.

The DA calls on the minister to urgently implement a plan to recruit and retain pilots that works. The plan must include an occupational specific dispensation for pilots in the South African Air Force.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION No 248

Mr D.J. Maynier (DA) to ask Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:

1) (a) (i) How many posts exist, (ii) posts are vacant and (iii) proportion of posts are vacant and, (b) on average how long have the posts been vacant in respect of (i)(aa)(aaa) helicopter pilots, (bbb) maritime transport pilots and (ccc) combat pilots, (bb) navigators and (cc) air space controllers in the SA Air Force, (iv) engineers in the (bbbb) SA Air Force 

2)  Whether, in respect of each of the above-mentioned posts, she will have to (a) recruit and (b) retain members of the SANDF in order to fill the vacancies; if not, why not; if so, what is the (i) plan and (ii) budget for the 2009-10 financial year?

REPLY

1)  Find attached spread sheet indicating the SA Air Force Status on Posts for Pilots, Navigators, Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers.

2)  (a) In the SA Air Force all vacancies are planned to be filled by means of specific recruitment drives such as (i) the entry through Military Skills Development System as young SA Air Force Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers and Technicians; (ii) the re-appointment of personnel with specific skills; and (iii) to selectively utilise members of the Reserve Force.

(b)  The introduction of unique allowances such as the Military Aviation Career Incentive Pay (MACIP) and the Technical Incentive Payment (TCIP) was done to retain members with specific skills.  It is planned to transfer the remuneration system of members to an Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD).  The improvement of working conditions also forms part of the current action plan of the SA Air Force.

(i) The SA Air Force develops an annual HR Support Plan, which includes the number of recruitment targets for that specific financial year, which also supports the Strategic Business Plan of the SA Air Force.  The HR plan for the FY 2009/10 for recruitment is 747 Military Skills Development System members and 40 Skilled Members.

(ii) The cost in terms of salaries for these recruitment targets is approximately RM20, and has been provided for in the SA Air Force's HR budget for the FY 2009/10.

Statement issued by David Maynier MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of defence and military veterans, August 20 2009

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