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Daily Archives: September 9, 2008

Zapiro Cartoon

09 Sep

I am loving the outcry and debate the Zapiro cartoon has created in this country. Whether you are disgusted by it or in complete approval of it, you can’t deny that any trigger for open healthy debate is a good one. I for that matter, am in complete approval. 100%. But I guess that won’t surprise anyone that have read my previous posts outlining my personal feelings towards Zuma, the man future president of this country.

For those who have not yet seen it, here is a copy courtesy of News24.com

Zuma Rape Justice

Once you get over the initial shock of seeing a cartoon of our future president about to rape an innocent girl, you might be able to see the clear metaphor it delivers. The message is simple. It is showing how Zuma, with the assistance of the ANC, SACP and COSATU, is raping the justice system. Let’s take a look at that. Hmmm… SPOT ON! Read: Politics South Africa style and Avoid prosecution, join the ANC.

What gets me is the quick flash use of the word “racist”. Please can someone please explain to me how this is racist? Are they saying that the justice system is white? Or are they trying to say that the girl depicted in the picture is white? In my opinion she looks black with similar skin tones drawn as the other participants. What makes her look white? Her long hair? Does someone want to tell Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks or Oprah Winfrey that they are white owing to their long flowing locks? So lets get real here please and stop pulling the race card whenever something doesn’t go the way you like it. But do not even get me started on that! That’s a whole different colour nut to crack. The fact remains it depicts current affairs in a very real light and you will probably find that is how Zuma is viewed in the eyes of the world.

Deal with the problem which is Zuma and not try and gag a person [Zapiro] who has the iron between his legs to stand up for what he believes in and says what so many are afraid to say even in a democratic free speech environment!

 
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Posted by on September 9, 2008 in Politics, Rant 'n Rave, South Africa

 

School ends. Exams begin

09 Sep

As much as I have had enough of the whole school thing every day, it still gave me a great reason to put off writing exams. “Oh I simply can’t study and attend DAY and NIGHT classes and write exams”.

Night classes finished 2 weeks ago. 1 excuse down! Day classes finish this Friday. 2nd excuse down! Exams are looming. Gulp!

I’m not about to put myself under further undue stresses and panic by telling the world what and when I am writing but after the event is a different story and I might just mention my successes and failures. Hopefully fewer of the latter!

What has made it all that much worse is the shear confusion and disarray of the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority – South Africa and most of the world). I actually feel quite sorry for them in a way because they have SO much to achieve in such a short space of time with regards to their ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) accreditation and indirectly their JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities – Europe) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration – USA) accreditations. This has thrown the licensing aspect of aviation in South Africa into a bit of chaos.

Previously the progressive steps would be “similar to but did not have to be”:

  • Acquire your PPL
  • Sit CPL ground school, 8 subjects, and write CPL exams while flying
  • Go fly and build 200 hours
  • Sit a CPL flight test with all relevant ratings (night and instrument etc)
  • Go out and work and build 1500 hours
  • Sit ATP ground school, 6 subjects, (or self study) and write ATP exams
  • Sit an ATP flight test
  • Go work for an airline as ATP is a prerequisite for command flying scheduled airlines.

Now it’s changing drastically. All new curriculum will be based solely on the JAA syllabus therefore right now no one really knows what to expect with levels of lectures or exams.

  • Acquire your PPL
  • Have a combined 1400 hours joint CPL / ATP, 14 subjects, study incl. self study
  • CPL exams fall away
  • Write ATP level exams with your PPL while flying
  • Go fly and build 200 hours
  • Sit a CPL flight test with all relevant ratings (night and instrument etc)
  • Get your CPL with a “Frozen ATP”
  • Go out and work and build 1500 hours
  • Sit an ATP flight test
  • Go and work anywhere you like as ATP is expected for smaller charters too.

That is a very basic breakdown of the changes and further information is available at the SA-CAA in Midrand, Johannesburg.

At the moment we (current students, PPL and CPL license holders) are stuck in the middle of a transition phase. Personally I think we have been given a gift horse with the best of both worlds but it certainly loads on the workload and pressure to achieve this and is by no means a small task. We have 18 months to complete the written phase of all of the above from the time of first accreditation of the first exam passed. It only sounds like a long time!

I haven’t needed to study at this level EVER before and not even close to this since school 15+ years ago.

This should be interesting!

* Ref:
PPL – Private Pilots License
CPL – Commercial Pilots License
ATP – ATPL, Airline Transport Pilots License

 
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Posted by on September 9, 2008 in ATP, CPL, Europe, PPL, South Africa, Travel, USA, Wishlist

 
 
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