The Story of Mayday SA - Brakpan Brunch Briefing
By Willie Bodenstein
07.11.2026
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I was browsing through WhatsApp posts when an invitation to a Brunch Briefing at Brakpan Airfield caught my eye. The subject was Mayday South Africa, an organisation I had, of course, heard about but, somewhat to my shame, had never featured in Pilot's Post. It was an opportunity I did not want to miss.
So, on Saturday, I made the drive to Brakkies, one of my favourite airfields to visit, and headed for the hangar of my friend Apie Le Roux, where the event was being hosted.
Talks and presentations of this nature seldom attract large crowds. Saturday, however, was a pleasant exception. Filling the space not occupied by Apie and Frederick's two Cessna Caravans was a surprisingly large gathering. Even more heart-warming was the number of youngsters in attendance, many of them proudly wearing their pilot uniforms. Their presence was encouraging and a reminder that the future of aviation depends on the next generation being properly supported, both professionally and personally.
The Story Behind Mayday-SA
Founded in the aftermath of the tragic 2011 two Piaggio P.109 ex SAAF Albatross aircraft controlled flight into terrain accident near Tzaneen, in Mpumalanga South Africa Mayday-SA grew out of a deeply human response to tragedy. The devastating impact of the accident on families, friends and fellow aviation professionals highlighted the need for a support network within the industry.
This led to the establishment of Mayday-SA, a confidential, peer-based, not-for-profit support initiative dedicated to the emotional and mental wellbeing of aviation licence holders. Its reach extends across the industry, including pilots, cabin crew, aircraft engineers, air traffic controllers and management personnel.
What makes Mayday-SA particularly important is its understanding of the unique pressures associated with working in aviation.
Sleep deprivation, irregular working hours, time away from home and missed family occasions can all contribute to stress and burnout. Pilots and other aviation professionals work under demanding schedules and constant assessment. For licence holders, the consequences of a personal or professional difficulty can be particularly serious, with the potential loss of a licence also threatening their livelihood.
Not everyone has somebody in their personal circle with which they feel comfortable discussing these challenges. Some may prefer to keep their difficulties separate from family and friends, while others simply need to speak to someone who understands the aviation environment.
This is where Mayday-SA makes a difference.
The organisation offers 24-hour access through its helpline, with responses typically provided within two hours and follow-up support initiated within six hours. Assistance is available both online and face to face, depending on the circumstances.
Whether it is a pilot experiencing difficulties during training, someone dealing with a medical diagnosis, or an aviation team requiring support following an incident, Mayday-SA provides a confidential, understanding and non-judgemental environment in which to seek help.
Contact and Support Details
24/7/365 Helpline: +27 12 333 6000 (ask for Mayday)
Email: support@mayday-sa.org.za
Aviation Safety - The Human Factor
The presenters left to right: Gregory Critchley, Santjie White, Braam Hector, Yvette le Grange and Jerry Chih-Feng Yu.
Col Keith Fryer
While the work of Mayday-SA formed an important part of the briefing, the presentations also explored the physiological and other human factors that can contribute to aviation accidents.
South Africa has a strong aviation safety oversight record, with the country's performance in International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) assessments often cited as evidence of this. However, good oversight and regulations alone cannot eliminate accidents. General aviation continues to face challenges, with human factors, fuel mismanagement and mechanical failures among the recurring contributors to accidents.
General aviation safety in South Africa is governed by the South African Civil Aviation Regulations (SACAR), including Part 91, which sets out the general operating and flight rules applicable to aircraft operations.
One of the main speakers was the legendary Santjie White of the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC).
As always, Santjie delivered a heartfelt and deeply moving presentation. Drawing on her many years of experience in the unenviable task of coordinating search-and-rescue operations, locating accident sites, recovering victims and notifying their families, she held the audience spellbound.
Her contribution was a sobering reminder that behind every aviation accident is people, families and communities whose lives can be changed forever.
Santjie's experience includes coordinating numerous high-profile aviation emergency operations across Southern Africa, working alongside organisations such as the Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA), the South African Police Service (SAPS) Air Wing and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).
The Importance of Proper Flight Preparation
A common thread running through the various presentations was the importance of proper preparation before every flight. While modern aircraft are increasingly sophisticated, the fundamentals of safe flying remain as important as ever.
Among the recommendations discussed were:
Fuel management: Visually verify fuel quantities wherever possible rather than relying solely on cockpit gauges. Proper fuel planning and adequate reserves are essential.
Weight and balance: Calculate aircraft weight and balance before departure, taking into account passengers, baggage and fuel.
Density altitude: Pay particular attention to density altitude, especially when operating from high-elevation Highveld airfields during the warmer summer months.
Flight planning: File a flight plan where applicable and ensure that someone knows your intended route and estimated arrival time.
Weather: Obtain an appropriate aviation weather briefing and check current NOTAMs. Never allow pressure to complete a flight to override deteriorating weather conditions. Unintentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions can have devastating consequences.
Documentation: Ensure that pilot licences, aviation medical certificates and aircraft Certificates of Airworthiness are valid and that the necessary documentation is in order.
Emergency preparedness: Make sure that relevant emergency contact details are readily available.
These may seem like basic precautions, but it is often the basics that make the difference between a safe flight and an unfortunate incident.
A Worthwhile Initiative and a Successful Event
Among the other notable attendees and contributors who helped make the briefing such a success was Keith Fryer, Jerry Chih-Feng Yu, Gregory Critchley, Yvette le Grange and Braam Hector.
Ryan van Wijk of Alt. Academy
A special word of thanks goes to Ryan van Wijk of Alt. Academy, who hosted the event. The excellent organisation, informative presentations and opportunity for those attending to engage with one another were complemented by a scrumptious lunch at the club's wonderful clubhouse.
 
It was evident that considerable thought and effort had gone into making the occasion a success. The organisers certainly put their money where their mouths are!
My thanks also go to everyone at Mayday-SA for the important work they do, often quietly and behind the scenes.
Aviation is a relatively small community, and we all know how quickly news of an incident travels through it. What we sometimes forget is that the people involved, whether directly or indirectly, may need support long after the headlines have disappeared.
Mayday-SA is there to provide that support. Its message is simple but important: nobody in aviation should have to face their challenges alone.
It was a worthwhile morning, an informative briefing and, for me, an opportunity to finally shine a little light on an organisation that deserves the support and recognition of the entire South African aviation community.
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