19 Oct 2023

Aviation professionals have called on the Civil Aviation Authority Botswana (CAAB) to consider allowing them to write the Knowledge Examination in Maun instead of travelling to Gaborone more so that the exam was online.

The authority laid the foundation for a safe aviation environment by adopting a robust and progressive safety regulatory framework based on International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and international best practice.

As such, aviation professionals such as pilots, air traffic controllers and aeronautical station operators intending to operate in the country are required to write the test in order to obtain the necessary licence in compliance with regulatory requirements to operate safely within the country’s aviation system.

While they appreciate the examination was a requirement, they argued that Maun dominated in terms on number of professionals and it was also costly for them to travel to Gaborone to write tests.

They aired their views during the ongoing stakeholder engagement meeting, which attracted operators in charge of ensuring that civil aviation regulatory requirements are met.

“Aviation professionals are many here, hence we request we write the examinations in Maun, and we wish the authority can assist us with material for study because some of us are unable to afford it,” said Mr Tebogo Setau.

For a company to send a group of experts to Gaborone to write an examination, he said was too costly.

In response, director of flight and safety oversight from CAAB, Mr Christopher Ferguson said the tests were not meant to punish or frustrate aviation professionals, but was an international requirement, hence they had to be complaint.

The examinations, he said were written every time when engineers or pilots were ready to acquire a certain licence or renew licences, adding that all applicants were required to pass Botswana air law examination to obtain a local licence.

Though he appreciated the concerns, he assured them that he would engage LPLUS, a German company that offered the tests to see how best they could assist them.

Mr Ferguson emphasised that to be complaint, they had to secure a safe air space. “We need further engagement on the matter because we need to work together to sustain industry,” he added.

On a separate issue, he called on aviation operators to change the way they interpret aviation regulations, saying that some had a tendency of selective on some regulations that favoured them.

He advised them to read the document holistically to fully understand it to ensure compliance.

The CAAB is responsible for, amongst others, the regulation of air transport and enforcement of civil aviation regulations, the provision of air navigation services as well as the development and operation of airports and advising government on civil aviation matters. ENDS