Strengthening ROTAX Support Across Southern Africa
Comet Aviation Supplies is proud to announce that Raymond Paul has officially become a ROTAX Approved Repair Centre, further strengthening the network of qualified ROTAX maintenance support available to aircraft owners and operators across Southern Africa.
Based in Harare, Zimbabwe, Raymond has built a reputation for technical excellence, aviation expertise, and a strong commitment to the non-type certified aircraft (NTCA) community. His approval as a ROTAX Approved Repair Centre represents another significant milestone in an already impressive aviation career.
A Lifetime Dedicated to Aviation
Raymond’s background combines mechanical expertise with extensive flying experience.
He is a qualified:
- Petrol and Diesel Mechanic
- Commercial Pilot
- Grade 3 Flight Instructor
In addition, he holds iRMT ROTAX certifications for:
- Service Maintenance
- Line Maintenance
- Heavy Maintenance
These qualifications allow him to provide comprehensive support for ROTAX-powered aircraft, from routine servicing through to major inspections and maintenance.
Beyond his technical qualifications, Raymond currently serves as Chairman of the Zimbabwe Non-Type Certified Aircraft Association (ZNTCAA) and has been appointed to several working committees with the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ). Through these roles, he actively contributes to the development and support of general aviation and the NTCA sector within Zimbabwe.
Extensive Experience with NTCA Aircraft
Since becoming actively involved in the NTCA sector in 2021, Raymond has assisted with the construction, maintenance, inspection, and flight testing of numerous aircraft projects.
Aircraft types he has worked on include:
- Fisher Tiger Moth
- AirCam
- T-Bird
- Savannah S
- CH701 (scratch-built from plans as his personal aircraft)
- Sling TSi
- Sling High Wing
Through this hands-on involvement, Raymond has gained valuable experience across a broad range of aircraft systems and operational requirements.
Supporting Aircraft Owners and Builders
At Komani Flying Club, Raymond provides both airframe and ROTAX maintenance support, helping aircraft owners keep their aircraft operating safely and reliably.
His expertise has also led to his appointment as the Zimbabwe agent for Savannah Aircraft and Sling Aircraft.
As an approved ZNTCAA Airframe Inspector, Raymond provides:
- Airframe inspections
- Build assistance
- Project oversight
- Technical guidance for kit aircraft builders
He is particularly involved with supporting Sling Aircraft kit builders throughout Zimbabwe, helping ensure projects meet the required standards from construction through to completion.
From Workshop to Cockpit
Raymond’s involvement does not stop once an aircraft is completed.
He conducts:
- Flight proving and test flights for newly built Sling aircraft
- Pilot conversion training on Sling aircraft
- Aircraft evaluation and operational testing
This combination of technical maintenance expertise and active flight operations provides aircraft owners with a unique level of support throughout the entire aircraft ownership journey.
Preparing a Sling TSi for an Epic Oshkosh Adventure
One of Raymond’s most notable recent projects was the preparation of a Sling TSi that embarked on an extraordinary journey from Zimbabwe to Oshkosh, USA.
Based at Komani Flying Club, the aircraft required extensive preparation and modifications to ensure it was ready for the demanding transatlantic route.
Raymond played a leading role in preparing the aircraft for the flight and personally conducted evaluation flights with the pilot ahead of the departure.
As part of the testing programme, the team flew the aircraft from Komani to Cape Town and back, validating the various modifications and gathering operational data before the aircraft embarked on its Atlantic Ocean crossing.
The successful completion of this project highlights the professionalism, skill, and dedication that Raymond brings to every aircraft under his care.
Strengthening the ROTAX Network in Africa
Raymond’s approval as a ROTAX Approved Repair Centre is excellent news for aircraft owners and operators throughout Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and the wider Southern African aviation community.
His combination of ROTAX expertise, mechanical experience, inspection authority, flight testing capabilities, and builder support makes him an invaluable addition to the growing network of authorised ROTAX service providers in Africa.
Whether supporting aircraft builders, maintaining ROTAX-powered fleets, conducting inspections, or preparing aircraft for ambitious long-distance flights, Raymond continues to demonstrate a commitment to aviation excellence.
Congratulations to Raymond Paul on achieving ROTAX Approved Repair Centre status. We are proud to welcome him to the ROTAX service network and look forward to supporting his continued success across Southern Africa.
