Fly 540 CEO Don Smith. He runs his company with an iron fist and would rather risk lives and make money than comply with aviation safety guidelines Top executives of private air operator Fly540, led by Don Smith have reportedly infiltrated the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) inspection licencing system to control entire directorates apparently with the consent of Director General.
This development which has been going on for months if not years has alarmed industry players who say the practice is negatively impacting their businesses and even worse compromising air safety over Kenyan skies.
Fly540 Aviation and FlySax are both owned by the aforementioned Don Smith, and are both reportedly receiving preferential treatment at KCAA ahead of other operators despite a worrying compliance record by Fly540 and FlySax which has led to increasing concerns on safety and reliability.
The other thing that is emerging currently is the issue of working conditions, pilots have gone for moths without pay and this has seriously impacted their mental health.
Hi Cyprian,
I am a frustrated Kenyan Pilot working with fly 540.
I would like to bring to your attention the frustration we are going through; we’ve not been paid for the last 4 months and this greatly affects safety as 90% are working while greatly stressed as we barely have anything to survive on and look after our families.
This adversely affects safety and human performance and its a disaster waiting to happen.
If it was the western world their (Fly 540's) licence would have been revorked a long time ago but since this is Kenya nothing happens
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) is tasked with the oversight but they are either incompetent or someone has been “seen”.
PLEASE TREAT THIS WITH CONFIDENTIALITY FOR FEAR OF VICTIMIZATION.