According to an SACAA statement there were 120 accidents in the year from April 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015, while in the year ended March 31, 2014 there were 144 aviation accidents.

The number of fatal aviation accidents fell during the same period from 27 to 16, which is a 41 percent reduction. The number of people killed also fell from 41 to 26 — a 37 percent fall in aviation deaths.

There were no aviation accidents related to commercial scheduled flights.

The Director of Civil Aviation, Poppy Khoza, was quoted as saying: “We certainly believe that there is still room for improvement, particularly in relation to recreational and general aviation activities.

“We urge the general aviation and recreational sector to emulate the safety culture that has year-after-year ensured that commercial operations maintain an admirable safety record.”

The SACAA had also given approval for 140 remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) — commonly known as drones — as well as one RPAS training organisation, and 15 RPAS pilot licenses.

“This new technology is here to stay, and as much as we are enthusiastic about the historic integration of RPAS into the civilian airspace, we are very mindful of the various security and safety aspects that these types of aircraft introduce. We therefore have to continue with the dialogue around this new technology and pinpoint challenges as well as solutions relating to remotely piloted aircraft systems,” said Khoza.

ANA