Time Bomb: Executive Air in ‘hot soup’ for violating CAAZ regulations on pilots’ age limit
CAAZ has commenced an investigation on the operations of the air charter services provider and vowed to take appropriate action based on the findings
Harare: LOCAL commercial airliner and charter services provider, Executive Air’s operations are under the microscope following allegations that the commercial airliner is violating a coterie of Civil Aviation of Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ)) regulations, Express Mail Zim can reveal.
Chief among the alleged gross violation of aviation tenets is the disregard of age limits of pilots who fly commercial planes.
According to the law of the land, the maximum age that a pilot can engage in flying commercial air transport is 65.
These regulations may be cited in terms of section 79 (1) of the Civil Aviation Act [Chapter 13:16], Civil Aviation (Operations of Aircraft) Regulations, 2023 and the same applies with Under EASA rules which are a yardstick of world best practices.
Investigations made by this publication established that Executive Air director Ed Mordt and manager Caroline Puzey are the chief pilots yet they do not meet the stipulated age requirements at law.
“Executive air’s operations are a major risk for commercial air travelers and airborne collisions and accident are highly probable.
“The director Mordt and his girlfriend Carol do not meet the required age requirements of a maximum 65 for commercial charter services, authorities must intervene to end this risky circus where people’s lives are involved.
“I only know of one young pilot, his name must be Zoro Nyamakura,” said one of our multiple sources who preferred anonymity for fear of reprisal.
Express Mail Zim established that one Executive Air plane had an accident in Kariba last year where Caroline was the captain of the cockpit and fortunately there were no casualties.
Our news crew visited Charles Prince Airport on Tuesday and several sources confirmed the allegations although they preferred anonymity.
On their official website, Executive Air boasts of flying either passengers or cargo to a range of destinations within Zimbabwe and our neighbouring countries such as Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.
“For those of you traveling Zimbabwe on business, we can cater for you to reach some of the most inaccessible parts of our country where some of our best mines are located. We also welcome you to take advantage of our local and regional flights, making business trips to the more remote areas in Southern Africa possible within a limited time frame.” read part of their mission statement.
When contacted for comment, the company director Mordt was evasive and he could neither confirm nor deny the allegations.
In an emailed response he wrote:
“We cannot comment”
CAAZ public relations and communications manager Firstme Vitori said the authority has taken note of the allegations raised and “is committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance”.
“In accordance with our regulatory mandate, we are commencing an investigation into the matters raised and will take appropriate action based on the findings,” she said.
