Many South Africans may be surprised to learn that the average domestic aircraft is nearly 20 years old, with some planes still flying after four decades of service. However, aviation experts say age is not a reliable indicator of safety, with maintenance records, flight cycles and regulatory oversight playing a far more important role. The discussion explores how South Africa's fleet compares internationally, why older aircraft remain in service, and what passengers should know before boarding their next flight.

Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. 

A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. 

Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham 

Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk 

For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x 

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CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 

Many South Africans may be surprised to learn that the average domestic aircraft is nearly 20 years old, with some planes still flying after four decades of service. However, aviation experts say age is not a reliable indicator of safety, with maintenance records, flight cycles and regulatory oversight playing a far more important role. The discussion explores how South Africa's fleet compares internationally, why older aircraft remain in service, and what passengers should know before boarding their next flight.
Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host&rsquo;s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists.&nbsp;
A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called &ldquo;Plan B&rdquo;.&nbsp;
Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham&nbsp;
Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk <a href="https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk">https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk</a>&nbsp;
For more from the show go to <a href="https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn">https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn</a> or find all the catch-up podcasts here <a href="https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x">https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x</a>&nbsp;
Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters <a href="https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5">https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5</a>&nbsp; &nbsp; Follow us on social media:&nbsp; &nbsp; CapeTalk on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk">https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk</a>&nbsp; CapeTalk on TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk">https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk</a>&nbsp; CapeTalk on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/">https://www.instagram.com/</a>&nbsp; CapeTalk on X: <a href="https://x.com/CapeTalk">https://x.com/CapeTalk</a>&nbsp; CapeTalk on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567">https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567</a>&nbsp;

John Maytham is a trained actor who made the switch to radio over 20 years ago when he joined the news team at Radio 604.

He then swapped reporting for anchoring an AM drive time show at a national talk radio station.

Once he set the bar for South African news and talk radio he accepted the challenge to join Primedia Broadcasting and help establish the newly founded CapeTalk, fulfilling the role of both News Editor and Breakfast Host.

He was the first host to switch on the mic on 14 October 1997.

Years later, he was also the first radio broadcaster to do a Google Hangout in South Africa.

Afternoon Drive with John Maytham

The life expectancy of Planes: Planes you board may be older than you are!  

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5dcefa8e-00a9-4595-8ce1-a4ab0080f142/clips/71e46303-64f6-4aff-a901-b47300e50beb/transcript