Aero-Linx!

Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough, if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this is done on the Internet.

The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into cyber-aero-space for awhile.

Look for some of our favorite sites, coming each day to ANN via Aero-Linx. Suggestions for future Aero-Linx segments are always welcome, as well.

Aero Linx: South African Civil Aviation Society (CAA)

Soaring Society of South Africa (SSSA) promotes gliding in South Africa and trains glider pilots to have the skills required to fly gliders safely and competitively. All glider pilots must belong to the Soaring Society of South Africa to take part in the sport of gliding. This is a legal requirement of the South African Civil Aviation Society (CAA). The Soaring Society is an affiliate of the Aeroclub of South Africa, which represents all aviation sport at the CAA.

The Soaring Society is responsible for:

• Setting and communicating standards for safe operations, as approved by the CAA)
• Maintaining a register of airworthy gliders
• Approving courses for the training of instructors
• Negotiating access to airspace
• Promoting the sport of gliding
• Liaising with international gliding organisations

The SSSA is also affiliated to the Aeroclub of South Africa which in turn represents all the sporting bodies at the CAA in a supporting role as well as the FAI (Federation Aeronautique International). The Aeroclub also interfaces with the “South African Sporting Commission” on matters such as national colours and sport development issues.

FMI: https://sssa.org.za