Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is pleased to announce that its helicopter service will from April 1 be undertaken by Denel Aviation which was awarded the contract after a competitive tender process.

Denel is South Africa’s global leader in the supply of strategic defence, aerospace and security products and services. Even though Denel is extending its technology and services into the civil and commercial environment, Denel Aviation has been active in the civil aviation sector for some time now and well versed in civil operations and the civil regulatory environment.

During March Denel was on site in Durban and Richards Bay checking and ensuring that everything would be ready regarding the operation from April 1 as expected.

The contract, as per the RFP is for a two year period, with an option to renew for a further three years.

In terms of the contract Denel Aviation will provide a total package of aviation solutions to TNPA. This includes providing the Authority’s 17 cadet helicopter pilots, which have completed their courses and achieved their commercial helicopter pilot’s licence, with practical experience.

Denel will also continue training TNPA’s six trainee helicopter engineers who have already completed the first year of their course at the Denel Technical Academy.

The contract is structured such that for the first year the service will be undertaken entirely by Denel pilots. Thereafter, the ratio will reduce by 20% per year for the next four years after which TNPA will take over the service.

The awarding of the contract to Denel Aviation can be credited to the company’s extensive experience in aviation which incorporates maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) upgrades, systems integration and flight testing.

Denel’s experience matches the terms of the TNPA contract which is a civil aviation contract intended to transfer TNPA pilots to ships and has no commercial aspects to it.

For 17 years the Authority has outsourced its helicopter service although it owned the helicopters and the related infrastructure. “When we reflected on this and our transformation mandate, some three years ago, we realised that we cannot have an operation that is not reflective of the South African demographics, hence the decision to train our own pilots and engineers that are reflective of the country’s demographics,” said TNPA’s Chief Executive Tau Morwe.

“Our vision is a long term one to develop a pool of pilots that will be able to adequately take up position in the commercial aviation sector,” he said.

“As a company we are committed to the transformation of the aviation industry through skills development and training. Part of this contract is to provide the mentorship and guidance to TNPA pilots to enable these people to carry out the necessary tasking when they have qualified,” said Mike Kgobe Chief Executive Denel Aviation.

The Denel Aviation relationship with Transnet National Ports Authority supports the vision of the Department of Public Enterprises for state-owned companies to share expertise resulting in transformation and the consolidation of services.

About Denel Aviation

Denel Aviation is a division of the Denel Group. It is the leading provider of MRO and related services to a number of global operators of both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. It is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the Rooivalk combat support helicopter, systems integrator and design authority of the Oryx medium transport helicopter and the Cheetah multi role fighter aircraft, and also an accredited service center for Airbus Helicopters, Russian Helicopters and Lockheed Martin aircraft, including the widely-used Hercules C-130. Denel Aviation is also approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority and the European Aviation Safety Agency for civil aircraft operations.

About Transnet National Ports Authority
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is one of five operation divisions of Transnet SOC Ltd. The National Ports Authority is responsible for the safe, effective and efficient economic functioning of the national port system, which it manages in a landlord capacity. It provides port infrastructure and marine services at the eight commercial seaports in South Africa – Richards Bay, Durban, Saldanha, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Mossel Bay and Ngqura. It operates within a legislative and regulatory environment and is governed by the National Ports Act (Act No. 12 of 2005).