Dear members,
In February 2025, SAHPA contacted the SACAA regarding the increasing number of near-miss incidents between recreational PG pilots and passing helicopters. Last week SAHPA met with SACAA to discuss the risk, and we agreed on a number of action items.
There are, however, a few safety issues which we wish to remind our members of.
Actions for all SAHPA members
- All site custodians must please ensure that at least one air-band radio is available and in use to alert nearby aircraft of PG/HG/PPG operations
- All SAHPA pilots who have air-band radios, are requested to provide regular announcements on the relevant flight information frequency to ensure that nearby aircraft are aware of PG, PPG and HG-related operations. This is especially important for sites in the Cape Town, Porterville and Sedgeview and Harties areas.
- All SAHPA members are encouraged to make use of Safe Sky compatible apps (ie. XContest, Gaggle App) to ensure that PG/PPG/HG operations are visible on FLARM/ADS-B systems.
- All SAHPA members, especially those flying cross-country, are encouraged to obtain a Restricted Radio Licence.
- All SAHPA clubs are requested to include regular briefings to members on local airspace restrictions in the area, with an emphasis on radio protocols.
- The SAHPA Committee is investigating the possibility of buying and installing automated message transmission base-stations at key sites.
- SAHPA is collaborating with SACAA to file NOTAMS for hotspot areas where helicopters are flying too close to PG/HG pilots.
Use of radios to warn approaching aircraft
The South African Civil Aviation Regulations 94.04.1 states (with emphasis added):
94.04.1 (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of regulation 91.05.1 of these regulations, the prescribed communication equipment is not required for aircraft operated in Class G airspace under VFR.
(2) Unmanned free balloons and unmanned aerial vehicles shall carry the equipment as prescribed in the authority to fly or in terms of regulation 94.06.6.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (1), at sites where and when paragliding, hang-gliding, or parachute descents takes place, the persons involved shall preferably arrange for the automatic transmission on the applicable flight information frequency of a warning that such activity takes place, or alternatively make use of a hand-held transceiver to warn other aircraft in the vicinity.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (1) and (3), at sites where aero-towing of hang-gliders takes place, the use of the appropriate communication equipment, either airborne or ground-based, to warn other air traffic in the vicinity that aero-towing is in progress is mandatory.
(5) The Director may authorise in writing the Central Airspace Management Unit (CAMU) to allocate a temporary segregated airspace (TSA) to separate aircraft operating without radio from other air traffic.
Use of Hook Knives
There have also been a number of accidents and incidents relating to pilots landing in water. SAHPA therefore strongly recommends that pilots buy and install hook knives on their harnesses to assist with self-rescue.
Reporting of Incidents and Accidents
Of ongoing concern, was that helicopter-related near-misses are not formally being reported by SAHPA members. It is really difficult to take appropriate action based on facts when we have to rely on anecdotal and out-of-date information.
SACAA and the SAHPA therefore remind pilots to please report these incidents and accidents promptly, so that we can identify trends and take preventative action.
In the interests of safety,
The SAHPA Committee