1. In celebration of National Women’s Day, Gauteng Women in Insurance
(GWII) hosted an afternoon function at The Venue in Melrose Arch. An
enthusiastic group of ladies from Airborne Insurance attended the event,
and were treated to an engaging discussion by social media law expert
Emma Sadleir, on the do’s and don’ts of social media.
“Social media has taken over our lives - it’s hard to imagine that 10 years
ago there was no Facebook or Twitter,” said Sadleir. “Social media has the
power to unify voices, publicise important issues and inspire the world. Yet
as we enter into the Social Media age, what are the rules and protocols
that govern how we should interact when we are on it?”
There is no doubt that social media comes with disciplinary, legal and
reputational consequences. Digital content is dangerous content – simply
because privacy doesn’t exist on a public platform.
An example of this was the recent uproar around
Judge Mabel Jansen, who faced controversy about
comments she made about rape and race in the
black culture.
When it comes to women protecting themselves in the corporate world
on social media, there are a few simple rules to follow. If you wouldn’t
place it on a billboard, don’t post it. Be careful in liking, sharing and
retweeting posts, and don’t associate yourself with content you wouldn’t
like to involve yourself in.
Thank-you for another memorable afternoon – as always, the team at
GWII can be proud for hosting such an informative and enjoyable event.
It is only fitting that this month we feature our –
relatively new – Claims Handler, Marle Möhlig,
who started at Airborne in April this year.
What is your background and how did it shape
you into who you are today?
I have always been passionate about aviation. I
took my first flying lesson at 16 years of age and
attended flying school, obtaining my private pilot’s
licence before seeking a path into the business of
aviation.
What does your day to day role entail?
I oversee the progress of the active claims we have;
and liaise with clients, assessors and various other
parties involved in the claims.
What is your personal philosophy when it comes
to your work?
1) How can I simplify this?
2) Help me to help you.
3) Always engage with a ‘glass half full’ attitude.
Whatdoyoubelieveareimportantcharacteristics/
attributes needed for your position?
A clear, organised thought process, empathy and
a positive outlook.
What do you enjoy about the aviation industry?
It is ever-changing - no two hours are the same. I
love how this business never ceases to challenge
you, and how everyone speaks the same language
regardless of what role they’re in. It’s the epitome
of a small world.
In your view, what is the biggest challenge the
aviation insurance industry faces?
Maintenance, communication and the inevitable
pilot error. All of which are issues I think we
tirelessly strive to mitigate through our work.
As a woman, how do you navigate the terrain of
a male dominated industry?
I give as good as I get and that’s always worked.
Everybody, not just men, appreciate an up-front
approach.
What have been your key achievements – work
and otherwise?
Obtaining my pilot’s license, being accepted to
study my degree and without a doubt, my very first
perfectly executed aerobatic flight!
What is your personal mantra/favourite saying?
I’m not there yet but I’m closer than I was yesterday.
This month, many of our readers have most
likely become aware of a helicopter crash in the
Champagne Castle region of the Drakensberg
Mountains. Naturally, this incident was the subject
of much speculation, but the real story behind the
crash is quite unique and deserves further attention.
The remote crash site is near to one of the few
Bearded Vulture breeding sites in South Africa.
Our client had offered his helicopter as a means
to conduct a much needed aerial survey of
these solitary birds. Accurate data concerning
their breeding patterns forms a vital part of their
conservation. As of this year there is an estimate
of only 100 breading pairs in their natural habitat.
The Robinson R66 carrying two members of
the KZN Wildlife conservation team took off
from Monks Cowl helipad in clear conditions,
bound for their planned landing site. During the
carefully executed landing attempt the helicopter
experienced a sudden loss of lift and plunged to
the ground, landing skids level before falling onto
its left side. A fire erupted in the engine area that
ultimately consumed the aircraft. Despite this, all the
people on board were able to evacuate safely.
While the final report has not been made public
yet, a few obvious aspects are abundantly clear;
namely, that this case proves just how much proper
planning can improve one’s odds of surviving
a total loss incident. At this time of year the
aforementioned region is covered in snow and the
pilot was well aware of his surroundings. He took
action to avoid a white-out scenario, compensate
for the stronger winds and bring his helicopter to
rest well away from valleys and ledges.
As ultimate testament to this, the search and rescue
helicopter followed precisely the same route as the
Robinson had and all on board were flown to safety.
INSIGHTS FROM AFRICA’S FASTEST GROWING AVIATION BROKERAGE
GAUTENG WOMEN IN INSURANCE GOLF DAY
On the 1st October, Airborne participated in the inaugural Gauteng Women in Insurance Golf Day. The event was held at the beautiful CMR Golf
Club, where we were welcomed with strawberry and mint water flavoured with a dash of Smirnoff. This set the scene for the rest of the day, where
lots of fun was had at the various watering holes sponsored by the likes of Emerald and Hollard. Nine holes were played throughout the course
of the day, with the last hole being played as the sun set, making for a beautiful view. Prize giving and some delicious snacks where served in the
clubhouse after the game. We look forward to participating in this enjoyable event again next year!
INSIGHTS FROM AFRICA’S FASTEST GROWING AVIATION BROKERAGE
A I R B R N E
INSURANCE CONSULTANTS
LEADING EXPERTS IN AIRCRAFT INSURANCE
CONTACT US ON (011) 467 8577 OR EMAIL: INFO@AIRBORNEINSURANCE.CO.ZA
WWW.AIRBORNEINSURANCE.CO.ZA
TEAM AIRBORNE AT THE GRAND CENTRAL FUN NAV RALLY 2015
On the morning of the 3rd of October,
Airborne’s Jonathan Smook and Janice Ray
arrived at Grand Central Aerodrome in
Midrand to beautiful sunny weather and clear
skies – the perfect weather conditions for a
Nav Rally.
After a quick cup of coffee and breakfast,
the team received their blank map and clue
sheet required to work out and plot their
points. With some advice and guidance from
the professional class navigation pilots who
organised the event, the teams set off. This
entailed locating the starting point, each turn
point as well as the finish point by deciphering
a set of cryptic clues. Thereafter each team had
to measure the bearings required for every leg,
and then familiarise themselves with each turn
point as well as reviewing the enroute photos
that were needed to spot and mark on the map
along the route.
After a short safety briefing, all of the
participants received their timing sheets in
order to plot in the exact times that they had to
be over all the turn points. Having nominated
a speed of 100 knots on the Cessna 182
that Janice and Jonathan were flying, team
Airborne was the fastest aircraft in the group
on the day, making navigating and photo
identification slightly more difficult with less
time to identify each point.
At exactly 10:30am, Janice and Jonathan got
airborne of runway 35 at Grand Central and
made their way to the start point. Once over
the start point the fun began, with both team
members looking all around in order to spot
the enroute photos and locate the next turn
point, whilst simultaneously keeping an eye on
the stopwatch to reference if they were on time
for the next turn point.
After crossing the finish line Janice and
Jonathan joined Grand Central and started
configuring the aircraft for the spot landing that
was to follow. A white chalk line was drawn
across the runway in line with the PAPIs, with
teams penalised for every metre they landed
before or after the line. After the spot landing,
everyone made their way back to the Harvard
Café to hand in their loggers and await the
final results.
At the prize giving that followed, team
Airborne achieved a notable second place –
even more impressive when one considers that
both Janice and Jonathan are still very new to
this kind of event. What a great effort guys
and a job very well done! Airborne Insurance
sponsored the second and third prizes at the
event, which, judging by the beaming smiles
on everyone’s faces as they disembarked and
the friendly chatter between teams, was very
much enjoyed.
A FEEL GOOD STORY by Marle Möhlig (Claims)
The crash site
Taken from the crash site: valley and edge of the
mountain – demonstrating a well-chosen spot
Intended landing site
A I R B R N E
INSURANCE CONSULTANTS
Valley
The team: Jaco of McLarens Aviation, Marle
of Airborne Insurance Consultants, Chris and
Jeremiah from the CAA
I personally had very little knowledge of the project
that claimed this aircraft, and yet upon arriving at
the crash site none of our team felt the usual ominous
feeling that should permeate such a place. One feels
as though one has been shown something greater
than oneself. This is the message that needs to be
conveyed; a message of survival and a necessity
to plan for and protect what it so valuable to us.
As much as we would like to draw attention to the
outcome of the accident, we must also take note of
its circumstances and perhaps use this as a means to
spread the message of conservation, particularly in
respect of the Bearded Vulture Conservation project
that desperately needs assistance.
As brokers we are always grateful when our clients
can walk away from an accident such as this one.
In addition a special note must be made of the
great response of Santje White and her team at
ATNS. McLarens Aviation did a spectacular job of
arranging to inspect the crash site with the CAA
and I was fortunate enough to join them.
PROFILE OF THE MONTH
THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Marle Möhlig