Why it Matters
- Legal clarity sought: The industry’s urgent injunction against SACAA’s enforcement of the 12-year engine overhaul rule was declined, prompting strategic reassessment.
- Coordinated response: The AIC 18.19 Task Team is developing a structured legal and regulatory plan to address implications and protect industry interests.
- Financial accountability: The Task Team is reviewing fee structures and costs, with transparent reporting on funds received and spent.
- Ongoing advocacy: Stakeholders reaffirm their commitment to due process, collaboration, and maintaining operational stability in South Africa’s general aviation sector.
As Issued by the AIC 18. 19 Task Team under the collective auspices of the Commercial Aviation Association of South Africa (CAASA), the Aeroclub of South Africa, the Aviation Watch Action Committee, the Aviation Action Group and Concerned Aircraft Owners, Pilots, Engineers and Operators.
The AIC 18.19 Task Team convened on 23 October 2025 to discuss the extensive memorandum from the legal team and deliberate the way forward, subsequent to the application by the industry for an urgent injunction against the SACAA imposing the 12-year engine overhaul rule on the South African general and light commercial aviation industry, being declined on 13 October 2025.
The meeting focused on the legal opinions provided, the implications of the judgment, and evaluating strategic options for the way forward. The legal team considered the various AMOCs (Alternative Methods of Compliance) that have already been applied for and rejected by the Regulator. One such AMOC by an independent applicant that went on appeal, has since been rejected. These developments were duly taken into account to ensure all factors influencing the regulatory and legal landscape are fully appreciated and appropriately integrated into the proposed strategy.
Following detailed discussions and considering both internal and external legal guidance, the Task Team has formulated a way forward. The approach is multi-pronged, phased and designed to build on the positive outcomes and guidance emerging from the recent judgment, while ensuring continued, coordinated engagement on behalf of the industry.
The fees are being reviewed and a full breakdown of the funds received, expenditure to date, and a detailed review of the fees charged will also be presented. Preliminary cost estimates have been developed for the next stages of the process to support the recommended course of action and the costs (still awaited) required by the judgment will also be guesstimated based on taxation to get a comprehensive view with a view to potentially appeal the costs order.
A comprehensive communication outlining the proposed strategy in broad strokes, not to give away any legal strategy, financial summary, and projected budget requirements will be alluded to during this meeting. The Task Team remains committed to transparency, collaboration, and the continued advancement of industry interests in this critical matter. We thank our supporters and participants for their patience, but trust that all may appreciate that circumspection and thoroughness are required.
The next meeting of interested and affected parties and our supporters will take place via Teams at 09h00 on Wednesday 29 October 2025. Please feel free to join us, by clicking on the link below about 10-15 minutes before hand. http://bit.ly/4nopvZn
