FF+ says air force pilots aren't being trained properly

The Freedom Front Plus has raised concerns about falling standards in the training of pilots in the South African Air Force, saying this may lead to accidents.

The South African Air Force is currently training 131 pilots to reinforce 31 operational fliers, the Minister of Defence replied in answer to a question from the party in Parliament.

"The Minister of Defence, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota, says the air force currently has thirty operational pilots. Of these 26 are white men, one is a white woman, and three are black men," party defence spokesperson Pieter Groenewald said in a statement.

"It is encouraging to hear that 131 trainee pilots are being trained in view of the purchase of the new Gripen fighter jets. There is however some concern about the training standards. There is also some concern as to whether the present budget has provided for the retention of the current number of pilots in the air force", Groenewald said.

"Earlier the minister said trainee pilots are allowed to fail all their exams and to fail two repeat exams. Previously trainee pilots were allowed to only fail three subjects and then to pass a repeat exam with a pass mark of 60%, failing which, they were
removed from the course. Trainee pilots are now allowed to fail all of their subjects and to rewrite their exams having to obtain 40% as a pass mark. This lowers training standards which could result in accidents occurring. Trained pilots are in demand in the private sector and should receive professional compensation to be
retained for the air force", Groenewald said.

According to Lekota, 26 of the 131 trainee pilots are white men, six are white women, 68 are black men, four are black women, 12 are Coloured men, two are Coloured women and three are Indian women.

Sapa