Gap in aviation safety regulation is under scrutiny

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is planning to discuss and examine the status of what are known as Air Traffic Safety Electronic Personnel (Atsep) in South Africa. Atseps are the engineering technicians responsible for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of ground-based air traffic navigation aids and communications equipment. Atseps have been the forgotten, or missing, link in the aviation safety chain. Not only the general public, but also the aviation industry and regulators, have thought of aviation safety as involving pilots, air traffic controllers and aviation technicians and mechanics (who maintain, repair and overhaul the aircraft, their avionics and engines).