SAA Orange Tail

Julie/July 1971

No. 91

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NUWE VRAGEINDPUNT VIR JAN SMUTS

Benewens die vervoer van 341 passasiers, sal die Boeing 747-makrostralers van die Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens genoeg ruimte in hul massiewe buike he vir 25 ton lugvrag. Dit is meer as die kapasiteit van ‘n Boeing 707-vragvliegtuig. Om hierdie rede word verwag dat die volume lugvrag wat in- en uitgevoer word ‘n aansienlike opwaartse neiging sal toon wanneer die 747′s in bedryf is. Ruim, moderne fasiliteite vir die hantering van lugvrag is derhalwe noodsaaklik. Ten einde tred to hou met die groeikoers op die gebied van lugvragvervoer word ‘n vrageindpunt met ‘n oppervlakte van 20 000 meter tans op ‘n perseel van 13 hektaar naby die Jan Smutslughawe teen ‘n koste van R9-miljoen opgerig. Die gebou word in stadia voltooi en die konstruksie sal in 1973 afgehandel wees. Met sywaartse uitbreiding wat vir 1975 en 1980 beoog word sal die vrageindpunt uiteindelik n vloeroppervlakte van 35 000 vierkante meter beslaan. Met die beplanning van die nuwe vragkompleks het die S.A.L. se vrag- en beplanningspersoneel verskeie vrag­hanteersentrums oorsee besoek om to kon besluit op ‘n eie stelsel vir vraghantering. Die stelsel wat byval gevind het en as mees geskik vir Suid-Afrikaanse toestande beskou is, is eenvoudig van konsep en maklik om to installeer en hanteer. Dit bring geringe onderhoudsprobleme mee en hou die voordeel in dat meeste van die toerusting in Suid­Afrika vervaardig kan word. Goedere wat by die Jan Smutslughawe afgelewer word sal op ‘n hyser aan die „publieke” kant van die gebou gelaai %vord. Die hyser sak outomaties of tot ongeveer 20 senti­meter bokant grondoppervlak en die goedere word na ‘n elektriesaangedrewe karweier, wat deur die lengte van die gebou op ‘n spoor beweeg, verskuif. Die spoor word aangelê tot waar die vliegtuie parkeer en die vrag word deur ‘n ander hyser, wat normaalweg in ‘n opening in die grond wegsak, in die vliegtuig gelaai. Die weeg van besendings geskied op ‘n spesiale weegbrug waaroor die karweier op weg na die vliegtuig beweeg. Die spoor deur die gebou word deur sylyne bedien waar houers en besendings vir verskillende bestemmings saamgestel kan word.

Sover moontlik sal alle oppervlaktes met rollers voor­sien word om die verskuiwing van swaar items to verge­maklik. Die S.A.L. sal ook vragagente en gereelde afsenders aanmoedig om hul vragmotors ens., met soortgelyke rollers toe to rus om die beweging van vrag tussen die voertuie en loodse to bespoedig.

Nog ‘n kenmerk van die gebou is ‘n aaneenlopende ovaalvormige karweierband om kleiner vragitems to hanteer. Ander geriewe bestaan uit koelkamers vir die verkoeling van vleis, ‘n afdeling vir lewendehawe en persele vir inspekteurs wat vleis, vrugte, groente, blomme en ander produkte onder­soek.

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SAL SE ADDISIONELE TWEE B747B’s VERNOEM

Die SAL se twee bykomende Boeing 747B-vliegtuie wat bestel is vir aflewering teen die middel van 1972 sal bekend staan as ZS-SAO-Magaliesberg en ZS-SAP-Swartberg.

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ANOTHER FIRST FOR SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS

The sophisticated suspended work platform system ordered by SAA from American Monorail in the United States of America for installation in the new Boeing 747 hangar will be among the first to be put into practical use by an airline. The system will come into operation in July this year and will thus enable SAA’s technical personnel to get the feel of operating the platforms before the 747′s arrive. The builders of the new hangar, Messrs. Dorman Long (Africa) Ltd., have, in co!laboration with a construction supervisor from American Monorail, erected the first two bridges, carriers, masts and platforms seen in the photo above. The second system for the west hangar bay was also nearing completion when the photo was taken. The platforms can be driven to any point in the hangar and all such movements are controlled from the platforms. They are equipped with compressors (for air tools), a water tank (for aircraft cleaning), outlets for lead-lights and attachment rails for safety belts. The non-skid floors of the platforms have kick boards on all four sides and there is a protective net below to prevent tools or other objects from falling off the platforms. An integral two-ton rotating jib crane is also controlled from the platform.

Representatives of other airlines have shown great in­terest in the equipment and amongst those who have already bought or are contemplating the installation of simi­lar systems are Air Canada, Air France, Eastern, El Al, National, Pan Am, T.A.P. and United.

However, SAri has decidedly taken the lead by design­ing a hangar for the installation of the unique equipment.

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JAN SMUTS CATCHING UP

With the number of passengers handled by South African Airways alone during the past financial year exceed­ing the one and a half million mark and estimates for 1971/ 72 pointing to just over two million, the indications are that Jan Smuts Airport will, within the not too distant future, figure among the following list of major airports handling more than four million passengers annually:

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QUOTABLE QUOTES

Sir Arthur Snelling, the British Ambassador in South Africa. had some very diplomatic praise for the “glorious efficiency” of South African Airways recently. Sir Arthur said he loved travelling S.A.A. – except as a V.I.P. He was given V.I.P. treatment in Cape Town, where his baggage was marked with crosses to signify special de­livery. But, the Minister of Transport, Mr. Ben Schoeman, was also receiving V.I.P. treatment on the same flight. When through a technical hitch the Minister’s baggage, intended for Bloemfontein, was overcarried to Jan Smuts Airport – S.A.A.’s staff hastily returned the V.I.P. baggage to Bloem­fontein – including Sir Arthur’s suitcase! Mr. A. M. Conradie, S.A.A.’s Chief Executive, commented that a mental assessment of the situation con­vinced him that, while the Minister of Transport received a cross, Sir Arthur received a double cross. Another quotable quote came from a lady at a recent press conference, who in all earnestness proposed that the rear toilets in S.A.A.’s Boeing 747′s should be converted into hairdressing salons. All in all the suggestion is both structurally possible and undoubtedly worthy, but think of the consequences. None of our Captains would like to fly a hairdressing/ aeroplane with Boutique Pompadour or Salon Lulu written all over it in fancy lettering. Even the announcements aboard would have to be changed to something like, “please fasten your hairnets ladies, we are about to land”.

Calculations have shown that a 747 fitted with hair­dressing facilities would be able to carry only two first class passengers, six in the economy class and 10 women in the hairdressing section, instead of the present capacity of 341 passengers.

As a final difficulty, it can be pointed out that, if and when the hairdressing 747′s take the air, I.A.T.A.’s resolu­tion that only fare-paying passengers may be carried on scheduled flights, will have to be amended to “only hair­dryinq passengers”. And, if you knew I.A.T.A. like we know I.A.T.A., boy, what a gripe!

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS STREAMLINED

The first three super PABX’s (private automatic branch exchanges) for South African Airways telephone passenger reservations system have gone into action. The PABX’s play a vital role in automatically handling the growing volume of telephone reservations placed by travel agents and the public with “SAAFARI”, the com­puterised reservations system. The first three installations in the R180000 contract with Philips Telecommunications (Pty.) Ltd., are in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. S.A.A.’s offices in Durban and Port Elizabeth will get their systems in the near future. Reservations clerks handle telephone bookings through the sophisticated PABX, which is known as the Automatic Telephone Call Distribution System (ATCD).

In each centre travel agents who telephone the reserva­tions office have their calls automatically switched to a group of clerks dealing specifically with agency bookings. In Johannesburg this group is known as “Johannesburg city”. Another group, known as the Central Reservation Control Section, deals with incoming and outgoing enquiries, messages to and from overseas and the general co-ordina­tion of the reservation’s system.

The super PABX’s have a higher ratio of outgoing tele­phone lines to incoming lines. This facility enables the reservations clerks to place calls automatically and directly to travel agents without disturbing the much heavier flow of incoming calls.

This sophisticated system meets the stringent speci­fications and requirements of South African Airways and enables it to compete with any major airline in the field of telecommunications.

The heart of the automatic telephone equipment at the Central Reservations Control, Johannesburg.

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NUWE TROFEE VIR AVION PARK-SNOEKERKLUB

‘n Bale mooi siiwer beker is onlangs gesamentlik deur mnre. Alex Lund, sekretaris-bestuurder van die Avionpark­klub, en mnr. G. „Blackie” Swart van die SAL se afdeling verkope aan Avionpark se snoekerklub geskenk.

Hierdie mooi gebaar het hernude belangstelling in die enkelspelkampioenskappe meegebring, aangesien dit hierdie jaar die eerste keer was dat die klub se lede om ‘n wissel­trofee kon meeding.

Mnr. Willie Kemp van die tegniese personeel by Jan Smutslughawe, was die eerste trotse wenner van die trofee.

Op ons foto hierbo ontvang by die beker van mnr. Lund terwyl mnr. Swart toekyk.

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FOCUS ON SAAFARI TRAINING

No, not another technical epistle about computers, cathode ray tubes and TV display units. The time has come to introduce the “VOICE OF SAAFARI”!

Training of the S.A.A. reservation staff, all experienced ladies and gentlemen, commenced on July 1, 1970, and so far 450 have completed the 3-week course which consists of daily lectures lasting from 8.00 a.m. until 3.00 p.m.

It is difficult to ascertain how many more will be trained but as the end of the training programme is not yet in sight, it could very well run into a few hundred.

The course is not easy and as both instructresses and pupils maintain -”it is a lot to learn and absorb in a short time”. The training includes a basic background in Airimp, which is all-important as one wrong letter results in the computers, named Aasvoël and Blesbok, politely sticking out their tongues and refusing to give an answer.

In spite of these difficulties 13 pupils have so far ob­tained 100% passes in the course. Ruth Beattie, stationed in Johannesburg, is one of these bright damsels. She joined S.A.A. straight after school 2 years ago and although she sports a great big engagement ring, is quite positive that she intends staying with S.A.A. after her marriage.

Our 3 instructresses look far too young and attractive for such responsible positions. Eunice Steyn (10 years with S.A.A.) and Brenda Pieterse (7 years with S.A.A.) were sent to Switzerland in February, 1970, for 3 weeks to study the Swissair reservation system known as IPARS. On their return they trained Fiona du Plessis and on this threesome rests the gargantuan task of SAAFARI reservation training. Little known fact is that both B.O.A.C. and Oantas local reservation staff are attending these classes.

Standing, from left to right: Eunice Steyn, Brenda Pieterse and Fiona du Plessis.

Sitting in front: Ruth Beattie.

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OVERBORDER STAFF

Fifteen members of S.A.A.’s overborder contract staff recently attended a special course for counter and sales staff in Johannesburg. This was the hundred and eleventh course of its kind conducted locally. Among the various subjects candidates are lectured on, are sales techniques, claims, geography, communications, real-time reservations (SAAFARI), group tours, passenger fares and ticketing, revenue accounting, traffic rights, cargo rating and Bantu anthropology (cultural and scientific).

South African Airways also affords training to staff members of the other airlines including Iberia, Varig, U.T.A., and J.A.L. occasionally.

In the class photo above are standing, from left to right: Mr. John Myburgh (S.A.A. Training Officer), Mr. W. Dunkley (Sydney), Mrs. Linda S. Mancini (Rome), Mr. G. Smith (Lecturer, S.A.A.), Miss Piera Bencini (Milan), Mrs. Carla S. Chiesa (Rome), Mrs. Dorothee Moller (Hamburg), Mrs. Diane Mueller (Zurich), Mrs. Gabriele Zerr-Steiner (Munich), Miss J. F. van Wyk (San Francisco), Miss Magda Woudberg (Los Angeles), Miss S. Maxwell (Iberia, Johannesburg), Mr. P. Buchner (Lecturer, S.A.A.), and seated, from left to right: Miss Heida Libuda (Frankfurt), Mrs. Ulrike Schobel (Frankfurt), Mr. L. Almeida (Lisbon), Mrs. A. M. Ouarona (Turin), Mrs. H. E. Wild (Birmingham). Miss Dina de Magalhaes from Geneva was not available for the photograph due to illness.

We congratulate Mrs. Ulrike Schobel who attained the highest percentage in the final test.

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LUGWAARDINNE

Mnr. J. Adam, Adjunk-bestuurshoof van die Suid­Afrikaanse Lugdiens, het onlangs by ‘n plegtigheid wat deur ouers, familielede en vriende bygewoon is, by die afdeling Kajuitdienste, Jan Smutslughawe, vlerke oorhandig aan 29 lugwaardinne wat pas gekwalifiseer bet.

Op die foto hierbo word een van die suksesvolle lug­waardinne deur mnr. Adam geluk gewens, terwyl kom­mandant Swart van die Noodhulpliga, wat die noodhulp­sertifikate oorhandig het, toekyk.

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MORE YOU STUDY, MORE YOU EARN

The higher one’s academic qualifications, the higher the salary, according to the Human Sciences Research Council.

A report published by the Council in Pretoria shows that, contrary to the beliefs of many, it is financially re­warding to study.

According to an investigation done by the Institute for Manpower Research of the Council, for every R100 earned by a male worker with a qualification lower than Standard 8, a man with Standard 8 earns R130, one with Standard 10 R145, one with a bachelor’s degree R190.

Costs of training and loss of income during the period of study were taken into consideration in this investigation, which was based on the 1960 census figures. As soon as the 1970 census data becomes available, a similar analysis will be made.

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RECORD BALANCE SHEET

In the photo above Mr. Paul Kruger, Station Manager at S.A.A.’s terminal office (Rotunda), Johannesburg, signs the May, 1971, station balance sheet amounting to R5 113 760,51 while Mr. Fanie Venter, clerk in charge of the accounting sub-section, looks on.

Mr. Venter and his team of clerks compiled the balance sheet, which was the highest yet for this station, in record time. The previous highest figure attained for a balance sheet drawn up in April, 1970, was R4 507 835,28.

Mr. Kruger commented that this latest achievement can be attributed to the devotion to duty and conscientiousness displayed by the staff of the accounting sub-section.

We congratulate them all on a very fine effort.

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FAMILIARIZATION

Some of South African Airways Regional Managers, District Sales Managers and Sales Representatives in the Republic and South West Africa who met in Johannesburg recently, were taken on a conducted tour of the airline’s Cabin Services and Flight Kitchen at Jan Smuts Air­port.

The photograph of the group was taken at the entrance to the Flight Kitchen shortly after completion of the tour. The Cabin Services Manager, Mr. Bill Sly, and his deputy, Mr. Coen Strydom (fourth and fifth from the right in the front row), acted as hosts and furnished the explanations.

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S.A.A. PILOT IN AIR RACE

Capt. Chester Chandler, who moved into the coveted left-hand command seat of the Boeings recently after a career of about six years with South African Airways, does not seem able to get away from flying, even in his spare time.

He recently celebrated his appointment as a Boeing 727 Captain by being the only S.A.A. pilot to take part as a navigator in the State President’s Air Race. Capt. Chandler was navigating for Mr. Nick Turvey in one of the 37 light planes taking part in the race.

Captain Chandler started flying at a Port Elizabeth flying school in January, 1957. He joined S.A.A. after quali­fying as a commercial pilot and instructor in Port Elizabeth and winning his “wings” as a pilot on the S.A.A.F. Reserve of Flying Officers. The plane which Capt. Chandler was navigating crossed the finishing line only 1,22 minutes after the winner, Mr. P. Theron, of Klerksdorp.

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DOODSBERIG

Dit is met innige leedwese dat ons van die skie­like heengaan op 5 Junie 1971 van mnr. Nichoiaas Johannes Marx, hoofklerk onder beheer van die Bestuurder, inkomsterekenings, Johannesburg, ver­neem het. Mnr. Marx was maar 36 jaar oud en het op 18 Desember 1950 by die S.A.S. en H. as klerk op Boksburgstasie aan­gesluit. Radat by op verskeie stasies op die Rand gewer:k bet, is hy met ingang 1 Januafie 1961 na die S.A. Lug­diens oorgeplaas. Ons wil graag langs hierdie weg ons innige meegevoel betuig aan sy bedroefde eggenote en twee kinders, ‘n dogter wan nege jaar en seun van vier.

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