The South African Civil Aviation Authority has now for the third time published proposed amendments to part 139 of the Civil Aviation Regulations covering unlicensed aerodromes.

The proposed regulation seeks to once again force owners of unlicensed airfields to register their airfields with CAA, and once again there are onerous requirements which will make most airfields in South Africa non-viable. There are also restrictions which will make it illegal for any pilot to take off and/or land at any unregistered or unlicensed airfield.

Needless to say, this will devastate general, recreational and commercial aviation in South Africa. Also in the pipeline are regulations which will make it mandatory for all airfields "related to tourism" to be fully licensed. This will drastically impact on tourism and the many game lodges, resorts and other tourist destinations in SA which have an airstrip, as well as pilots and aircraft operators who use such airfields, whether for tourism or not.

CAA are trying to bring in these regulations, piece by piece. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA-SA) and Airfield Owners Association (AOA) urge you to send in comments and sign the petition.

We ask you to please react to this on or before the closing date of Monday, 24 October 2016.

Your assistance in helping us protect your freedom to fly will be highly valued.