There have been several notable developments in South Africa’s general aviation space, particularly from a regulatory perspective. One controversial regulatory change in particular, recently enforced by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), is the 12-year engine overhaul requirement for certain aircraft engines.
The regulation applies specifically to engines manufactured by Textron Lycoming, Teledyne Continental, Pratt & Whitney and Rotax, regardless of condition or flight hours logged, effectively resulting in the grounding of non-compliant aircraft.
Historically, engine manufacturers recommended overhauls every 12 years, and this was a mandatory requirement for commercial aircraft, but flexible for private operations. Now, however, local authorities are enforcing this across the board, raising concerns for private pilots whose aircraft may fall outside this maintenance window.
Concerns have been raised that if the current 12-year engine overhaul mandate remains in place across private aviation, South Africa could see more than 3 000 general aviation aircraft grounded – nearly 50% of general aviation aircraft operating in South Africa.
With an average engine overhaul costing around R1.5 million and massive backlogs at major manufacturers like Textron Lycoming and Teledyne Continental, the picture becomes even more alarming. Textron Lycoming parts have up to a 36-month lead time and Teledyne Continental a 12 to 18 months lead time. In addition, local aircraft maintenance organisations (AMOs) are overwhelmed, with only a handful stretched across key airfields.
What this supply crunch essentially means is that thousands of aircraft will be stuck indefinitely, parked and exposed, often in vulnerable environments. While flight risk coverage is likely to become increasingly restricted, the continued relevance of insurance – not necessarily as a regulatory requirement, but as a safeguard for aviation assets – cannot be overstated. Just like insuring a classic car that is not driven every day, aircraft still faces ground-based risks: hail, civil unrest, theft and more.
So, while aircraft operators might not be covered in the air due to the recent regulatory changes, protecting an aircraft while it is parked – often far from home – is more important than ever. Adequate cover is no longer just about compliance; it is about preserving value and peace of mind.
Many assume aircrafts are only vulnerable to weather while flying, but ground threats can be just as severe. A year ago in Stellenbosch, gale-force winds caused major damage—collapsed hangars, torn-off doors, and wrecked aircraft—all while parked. South Africa’s shifting weather patterns continue to pose significant risks to grounded aviation assets.
Political unrest and civil commotion are equally concerning. While international airports like Lanseria benefit from strong infrastructure and security, many popular airfields, municipal and rural alike, remain vulnerable. During the KwaZulu-Natal riots in 2021, a Molotov cocktail thrown at a hangar in Amanzimtoti resulted in a total loss of the aircraft inside. These are not distant hypotheticals, they are real incidents with costly consequences.
As South Africa’s general aviation sector grapples with the implications of the 12-year engine overhaul mandate, many aircraft owners are facing an uncomfortable reality: flight risk cover is becoming increasingly limited. Naturally, this triggers concern and, in many cases, knee-jerk reactions.
We are seeing aircraft owners respond by wanting to cancel their entire aviation insurance portfolios. But here is the crucial gap: while flight may be restricted, your aircraft remains a valuable, vulnerable asset.
Cancelling your full policy removes vital safeguards against ground risks. It is not about keeping unnecessary coverage, but about protecting your aircraft in its most exposed state: grounded, unattended and under threat from forces beyond your control.