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Cape Town - South African Airways (SAA) says it has suspended some of its freighter aircraft services, SAA Cargo due to maintenance compliance issues.
The issue dates back to a collision avoidance system software upgrade requirement, following an operating exemption issued in 2017, which has since expired - causing SAA to "add the self-imposed grounding".
SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali told Traveller24 that only three SAA cargo Boeing B373 freighters, not nine as reported by other media outlets, have been affected by the airline’s decision not to operate.
Passenger services continue unaffected
"SAA’s passenger fleet is fully compliant and passenger services are operating as per normal," says Tlali.
"We are awaiting software from the suppliers to update the Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems on the specific aircraft to make them fully compliant," he says.
The SACAA confirmed SAA applied for an exemption extension on the installation of the Traffic Collision Avoidance System or Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System. "Upon review by the SACAA, the application was found to be unsatisfactory, and as a result, the application was turned down," says SACAA spokesperson Kabelo Ledwaba.
"Our understanding is that the operator, and rightfully so, elected to withdraw the affected aircraft from service. As such, this is a self-imposed withdrawal of aircraft from service, which the SACAA supports and demonstrates the operator’s willingness to comply with civil aviation regulations," says Ledwaba.
Compliance requirements for TCAS TCAS II version 7.1
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN body responsible for managing civil aviation matters across the world - including safe and secure civil aviation operations - mandates the installation of a revised version of an airborne collision avoidance system for certain categories of aircraft.
It specifically relates to "turbine engines aeroplane with a maximum take-off mass in excess of 15 000KG or that are authorised to carry more than 30 passengers, to be fitted with an airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS) that meets certain specifications".
Ledwaba says as a member of ICAO, the SACAA introduced this requirement in local civil aviation regulations and "part 121 and Part 135 of the Civil Aviation Regulations makes the carriage of an airborne collision avoidance system known as TCAS II version 7.1, a compliance requirement".
All TCAS systems provide various forms of collision threat alerting, and a traffic display. The difference between TCAS I and II is the alerting capability - with TCAS II "improving traffic advisories and as well as recommending escape manoeuvres, to increase separation between aircraft".
Revised application under review
Ledwaba says initially the SACAA granted all operators an exemption from compliance for the upgrade from TCAS I to TCAS II” for a period of one hundred and eighty (180) days". However, the exemption effective from 14 July 2017 expired on 10 January 2018.
The SACAA confirmed SAA submitted a revised version of the application on Wednesday 21 February, which is currently being reviewed by the regulator.
"We intend to finalise the review process as soon as possible and communicate the outcome to the operator," he says.
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