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CHINA AND EAC SEAL DEAL TO IMPROVE ON AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN THE REGION

On 27^th November, 2016, Arusha city was host to the EAC – China Electronic technology Corporation (CETC) High Forum. The EAC has established an Upper Flight Information Region (UFIR) as a single bloc over the Partner States airspace that will be operated from a single operations centre. This will make the region safer for investment and multinational markets.

China has benefited the international community in development projects and has been contributing to various countries of the developing world in the development of infrastructure. During the BRIC Summit that was held in South Africa, China announced a development plan for Africa that is worth billions of dollars. One of the areas earmarked for development is aviation. China has actively participated in the development of aviation in EAC and is looking towards the establishment of a sustainable aviation industry, thus the proposal to establish an EAC Joint ATM Laboratory.

The signing of the EAC Joint ATM Laboratory Agreement between Kenya and China in Mount Meru hotel, Arusha, Tanzania

The 27^th November meeting was a great opportunity for CETC to meet with leaders of EAC and Partner States’ CAAs. CETC was established by the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) to develop both civil and military electronics. It is the main manufacturer and research company of electronic devices in China. For the first time, CETC this year entered into an agreement with the government of PRC to supply its products outside China. It has so far successfully exported its products to USA, Latin America and Asia. It has become the leading enterprise in aviation technology in PRC with corporation of CAAC. CETC played a leading role in the development of ATM in PRC. In 2004 – 2006, China and Europe developed an ATM platform. Last November 2015, CETC signed a co-operation agreement with Kenya. It is now looking forward to co-operation with the other EAC Partner States in the next 2 – 3 years. An important activity of this Forum is the signing of the EAC Joint ATM Laboratory Agreement. CETC plans to train African States in the ATM Laboratory for the development of ATM, and will eventually invest in establishment of an ATM academy in the next 5 years. CETC will recruit local experts as well for the running of this Academy which will perform research, maintenance of Next Generation ATM equipment.

During the meeting, the acting Director of KCAA ANS, Mr. Wesechere, gave a brief overview on the status of ATM in EAC Partner States. Participants were informed that Airspace classifications are unique in each State. Kenya and Uganda have made formal arrangements on special, joint, flexible use of their airspace. Traffic operating above FL 245 is more than that operating below FL 245. All Partner States except Burundi have HF. Kenya has AMHS and AIM automation while other PS are in the process of implementation.

At the end of the meeting, an EAC Joint ATM Laboratory Agreement between Kenya and China was signed, where the laboratory will be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya.

CASSOA congratulates the EAC Partner States and CETC on this great achievement.

CASSOA

December 2016

CASSOA Congratulates Uganda CAA on 25th Anniversary

The Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda, CAA (U), marked its 25^th Anniversary with all the magnitude it deserved on the 8^th December, 2016. The CAA (U) was actually established by an Act of Parliament in October 1991, however, management planned to bring the silver jubilee anniversary celebrations closer to those of the International Civil Aviation Day – 7^th December, 2016.

During the dinner hosted by CAA (U) in celebration of the silver jubilee, the Managing Director and CEO of CAA (U) gave an abridged overview of the achievements of the Authority during the span of 25 years of its existence. During the same occasion, a Uganda Tourism promotional film was launched.

Some of the invited guests during the CAAU dinner to celebrate 25 years of existence

The celebrations were graced by the Minister of Works and Transport, Hon. Monica Azuba Ntege, and the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Ephraim Kamuntu, among the other invited dignitaries and stakeholders. CASSOA was represented during these celebrations.

CASSOA congratulates the Board, management and staff of CAA (U) on their 25^th Anniversary.

CASSOA

December 2016

CASSOA Executive Director pays Courtesy Call on AATO SG

The African Association of Aviation Training Organisations (AATO) was established in October 2015 and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia offered to host it. One of the main objectives for the establishment of AATO was the standardisation of acceptable and approved training syllabuses for the aviation Approved Training Organisations in Africa.

AATO held a successful General Assembly in Kampala which drew participants from all continents of the world. AATO, like any regional or international organisation, is steadily growing but with challenges. It was therefore prudent that on 21^st December 2016 the Regional Director of the ICAO Eastern and Southern Africa office (ESAF), Mr. Barry Kashambo, and the Executive Director for CASSOA, Mr. Robert Nviiri, used the opportunity of the LOC-I and UPRT workshop which was held at the Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Academy to pay a courtesy call on the AATO Secretary General – Ms. Margaret Kyarwenda.

The AATO Secretary General, Ms. Margaret Kyarwenda

The RD ICAO ESAF and ED CASSOA shared with the Secretary General of AATO experience of regional international organisations, which experience would come handy in her task of running her important office. In her remarks, the AATO Secretary General thanked the two executives for the brotherly technical assistance. She also gave them a brief overview of the organisation’s programmes and experience of the period AATO has been in operation.

CASSOA

22^nd December 2016

SUCCESSFUL WORKSHOP ON LOC-I AND UPRT CO-ORGANISED BY ICAO-KCAA-ETHIOPIA CAA

Kenya, one of the CASSOA Partner States, and champion for Emerging Safety Issues Support Team for the Loss of Control in-Flight (LOC-I) together with the ICAO Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, and Ethiopian CAA co-organised a workshop on LOC-I and UPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training) from 19^th – 21^st December, 2016 at the Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Academy in Addis Ababa.

The workshop which was attended by a cross section of both pilots and aviation engineers from all the African ICAO regions, was facilitated by experienced aviators drawn from both operator and regulators. The workshop was a follow-up of the LOC-I symposium which was organised by KCAA in Nairobi, Kenya from 22^nd – 24^th June, 2015, during which CASSOA was invited and made a presentation on LOC-I.

The Regional Director ICAO ESAF, Mr. Barry Kashambo, delivering closing remarks of the LOC-I and UPRT workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 21^st December, 2016.

The programme of the workshop included presentations on the latest developments on UPRT, the 5-year plan of action on LOC-I and a practical session for all participants on a UPRT compliant Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD). The participants gained useful information on how to handle stalls and recover from aeroplane upsets during this workshop. A simple basic principle that the participants found helpful was:

Detect >> Recognise >> Recall >> React

In general, it was noted that most of the air accidents that occur as a result of LOC-I and aircraft upset, are as a result of the pilot failing to properly follow the above principle.

Of interest to the participants was another simple rule of recovering from a stall, which is:

Lower the nose (reduce angle of attack) >> reduce bank angle to 0 degrees >> add power as necessary in order to level flight

The Agency which was represented by its Executive Director, Mr. Robert Mwesigwa Nviiri, thanked the organisers and facilitators of this workshop because it considers such workshops and in particular, the topic of LOC-I and UPRT a necessity in the 21^st Century aviation industry and operations. The workshop was closed by the Regional Director of ICAO ESAF, Mr. Barry Kashambo after handing Certificates of Attendance to all the participants.

CASSOA

22^nd December 2016

CASSOA gets Clean FY 2015/2016 Audit Report

It was all smiles for the East African Community Organs and Institutions when on 14^th December 2016, the Chairperson of the External Audit Commission of the East African Community and State General Inspector of the Republic of Burundi, Ms. Gererose KIYAGO announce a clean audit Report for all Organs and Institutions of EAC.

The ceremony which started at exactly 1:00 p.m. is the first in EAC where the External Audit Report has been signed in the same year after the audit of accounts. In his remarks, the Secretary General thanked the Auditors General for their dedication that led to the completion of the audit process within the preset deadline. He committed that the EAC would implement the recommendations therein, being well aware that the Audit Report shall be presented to EALA and Council of Ministers.

In her remarks, the Chairperson of the Audit Commission said that it was a pleasure to meet with the members of the Audit Commission and CEOs of EAC Organs and Institutions who had taken the process seriously. She also said that it was a pleasure to mark the end of the 60-day audit process for the ended year FY 2015/2016 in the preset deadlines, and there upon called upon the Auditors General present to sign the Report.

In general, it was noted that there has been a general improvement in the accounts of the Organs and Institutions of the EAC. The Heads of EAC Institutions were urged to get more deeply involved in the audit process, whose aim is to improve on the financial management of their institutions.

This is the ninth year in a row, where CASSOA is getting a clean audit Report since its establishment and commencement of operations in June 2007. We thank the Board and Staff of CASSOA for the efficient running of the Agency.

CASSOA

CASSOA to assist South Sudan to come on board the EAC Aviation Activities

CASSOA to assist South Sudan to come on board the EAC Aviation Activities

A high level meeting was convened on 25^th October, 2016 in Kampala, Uganda pursuant to a directive of the EAC Council of Ministers at its 34^th Meeting held in Arusha from 1^st – 6^th September, 2016 to deliberate on the development of a draft Roadmap towards the full integration of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) into the EAC. During the meeting which was held in Imperial Royale Hotel, the core priorities and programmes, expectations and obligations of RSS that will constitute the building blocks for the Roadmap were considered as presented by the various EAC Organs and Institutions.

CASSOA Intervention

CASSOA’s role in the integration process of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) into the EAC will be among others:

Assisting RSS in the establishment and alignment of its civil aviation Primary Law (the Act) with requirements of the Chicago Convention;
Assisting RSS in building capacity for civil aviation safety and security oversight;
Assisting RSS with the harmonisation of its civil aviation Regulations with those of the EAC;
Assisting RSS with the harmonisation of its technical guidance materials to the Regulations with those of the EAC;
Preparing RSS for an ICAO safety oversight audit through mock audits;
Preparing RSS for an ICAO security oversight audit through mock audits; and
Conducting technical missions to RSS in order to evaluate the safety and security oversight capability, that is implementation of the eight Critical Elements of a safety/security oversight system of the State

CASSOA holds two working group meetings annually; one for review and development of technical guidance materials, and the other for review and development of civil aviation Regulations. CASSOA also convenes technical committee meetings (one of the organs of the CASSOA Board) on a quarterly basis in order to review and consider the output of the working group meetings, and thereafter make recommendations to the Board for final deliberations. RSS is expected to attend these meetings through representation of its relevant technical experts.

The CASSOA Board, the governing arm of the Agency, convenes on a quarterly basis annually. RSS is expected to participate in the Board meetings through representation by its Director General of the RSS Civil Aviation Authority and an aviation expert nominated by the government of RSS as spelt out in the Protocol on the Establishment of CASSOA.

CASSOA installs ECCAIRS Version 4.0 In the Republic of Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure

CASSOA INSTALLS ECCAIRS VERSION 4.0 IN THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA’S MINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE

The Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA) continues to provide assistance to the EAC Partner States through it’s Safety and Security Enhancement Programs as per the Strategic Plan. In mid-October 2016, CASSOA successfully installed ECCAIRS Version 4.0 at Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure for access by the office of the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Department (AAID). The CASSOA Senior Information Technology Officer, Mr. Arthur Rutembesa conducted an ECCAIRS Training for end users and technical staff from the AAID office and other Stakeholders in Aviation invited by the Rwandan Ministry of Infrastructure from 18^th – 21^st October, 2016.

ICAO Annex 13 requires that a State shall establish and maintain an accident and incident database to facilitate the effective analysis of information on actual or potential safety deficiencies obtained, including that from its incident reporting systems, and to determine any preventive actions required. The database systems should use standardized formats to facilitate data exchange. ECCAIRS is recommended by ICAO as the ideal system for States in the collection, processing and exchange of safety data.

Rwanda recognises the need for sharing safety information among users of the aviation system and therefore opted for ECCAIRS to facilitate easy exchange of information on actual and potential safety deficiencies. The Rwanda Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Division (AAID) office requested CASSOA for assistance to install and train its end users the ECCAIRS Version 4.0

All stakeholders in the Rwandan Aviation Industries in charge of the Aviation Safety participated in the ECCAIRS Version 4.0 Training session. These among others included:

The Rwanda Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Division (AAID)
The Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority
Rwandair
Akagera Aviation
Rwanda Air Force

Methodology of the Training

The Training of ECCAIRS 4.0 was divided in two Modules:

The technical module: This is aimed at participants who install and administer the ECCAIRS system. This module covered the installation, setup, and management of the ECCAIRS system. The scope of the module enables system administrators and/or IT personnel to get acquainted with the system, perform the setup and configuration of their ECCAIRS installation, as well as supply basic user support.
The end-user module: This is aimed at participants who will upload the safety data into the ECCAIRS system or interrogate the system for safety analysis purposes. It provides an overview of the Accident/Incident Data Reporting (ADREP) taxonomy, as well as hands-on experience of ECCAIRS as a tool used to code, enter, extract or analyze safety data.

EAC CASSOA

October, 2016

CASSOA to participatein the EU EDF 11 Counter Terrorisism Project

CASSOA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EU EDF 11 COUNTER TERRORISM PROJECT

Everyone is now in agreement that terrorism in today’s world poses a serious threat that grows by the day. It is to that effect that one of the EAC development partners, the European Union through its European Development Fund 11^th Project (EDF11) gave a grant to the EAC to combat cross-border terrorism, transnational organised crime and human trafficking across its borders.

Aviation being one of the conduits of the perpetuators of the above crimes, CASSOA therefore has a role to play. On 14^th October, 2016 the Agency was represented by the Executive Director at a consultative meeting in Arusha, Tanzania with consultants and representatives of the EU to pave way for identification of possible areas of intervention.

The fruitful meeting which was attended by specialists in security matters will see CASSOA reaping benefits of capacity building for the region in order to enhance security oversight aimed at curbing and combating the above mentioned evils.

EAC CASSOA

October, 2016

FAA holds Workshop for Certification of Aerodromes in ESAF and WACAF Regions

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States of America continues to provide technical assistance to the African States through its project, Safe Skies for Africa (SSFA). One of the challenges faced in aviation today in Africa is that of certifying international aerodromes. As long as an aerodrome does international traffic, under ICAO it is deemed an international aerodrome and therefore, must meet international standards as specified in Annex 14 to the Chicago Convention.

ICAO to this effect has so far launched two projects in Africa, one in the WACAF region and the other in ESAF region. The aim is to have all African States achieve a 60% Effective Implementation (EI) by the end of 2017 after having certificated at least 45% of all African international airports by the end of 2016.

The FAA supports this initiative by ICAO and for this purpose honoured the request by the SADC Aviation Safety Oversight Organisation (SASO) to hold a workshop on Certification of Aerodromes for African States from 19^th – 23^rd September 2016 in Ezulwini, Royal Kingdom of Swaziland. The workshop which was opened by the Director General of the Swaziland CAA, Mr. Solomon Dube, was attended by participants from Swaziland CAA inspectorate (SWACAA), SASO, the East African Community CASSOA, Angola, Botswana, Cameroun, Cape Verde, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Togo, and Uganda.

The FAA team, left to right: Mr. Grady Stone (FAA Africa Representative), Mr. C. Mark, and Mr. Kelly Slusarski

The workshop also provided comparisons on the minor differences between the FAA standards and those provided for in our region in certification of aerodromes. This is healthy for consideration of alternative ways of correction action plans where no technical guidance material has so far been developed. Participants were encouraged to focus on the bigger picture rather than the minor differences. Experience shows that a Best Practice is derived at after hearing/learning the same principles from different perspectives of compliance of SARPs.

Participants during workshop theory session

As a guide to the easy process of certificating an aerodrome, aerodrome designers should be able to determine for which type of aircraft the subject aerodrome is designed. Participants also got to learn the difference between certification and licensing, where;

Certification is for aerodromes designated for international traffic
Licensing is meant for domestic traffic

The participants upon their successful completion of the workshop, came up with the following resolutions:

States should ensure that their Civil Aviation Acts clearly provide for the responsibilities of their safety oversight inspectors
For the States with the CAA acting the role of both the regulator and operator/service provider, the organisational structure of the CAA should be such that there is a clear separation of the regulatory arm and service provision arm functions
States should ensure that their civil aviation regulations provide clauses on exemptions commensurate with the industry and environment while at the same time not compromising on safety of the industry
Develop all the necessary technical guidance materials for both the regulator and service provider
There is need to establish the minimum qualifications and experience for the inspectorate staff
Establish a robust policy on record keeping and archiving
States should undertake to make use of the ICAO software on Compliance Checklists and Electronic Filing of Differences (CC/EFOD)
States should ensure availability of sufficient financial and human resources in order to effectively discharge safety oversight functions and obligations
States should endeavour to adopt the industry Best Practices

Participants during the workshop practical session at King Mswati III International Airport, Sikuphe

EAC CASSOA

September, 2016

The Giant Awakes

The year 2016 is seeing the EAC giant awakening to the call of improving the facilitation of air travelers within and outside the region. It is great news for the travelling public to learn that the EAC States are in high gear of revamping their airlines. This will not only improve on air travel to and from the region, but will also boost tourism within the EAC. In the spirit of regional co-operation the EAC Partner States are already working on the establishment of an effective tourist air circuit through the development of earmarked aerodromes and air routes for purposes of facilitating quick tourist movement to the tourist attraction sites.

The year 2016 is a bumper harvest year for the EAC aviation industry. The planting season started in mid 2015 with the delivery of new Boeing B787 Dreamliners for Kenya Airways. Later on CASSOA embarked on the vigorous exercise of assisting Tanzania with the recertification as per the harmonised EAC civil aviation regulations, of its major operators in the region who had been earlier on certified as per the old regulations. To that effect, Precision Air was successfully recertified in November 2015.

This fall (autumn) in September 2016, CASSOA embarked on the vigorous exercise of assisting Kenya to recertify Kenya Airways together with its Maintenance Facility in Embakasi, as per the EAC harmonised civil aviation regulations. This exercise has also been successfully accomplished.

Kenya Airways maintenance facility that has recently been recertified. Courtesy photo by Reuters

The beginning of the year 2016 saw the vigorous exercise of assisting Burundi to revamp its flag carrier, Air Burundi, through the operationalisation of its sole aircraft, a Chinese made MA60 turbo prop, which had been donated to the Republic by China as a gesture of mutual co-operation. However, this meant the acceptance of the Chinese CCAR-25 under which the MA60 is Type certificated, by the EAC States. This exercise was successfully completed in August 2016, now what is left for Air Burundi is the fulfillment of operational requirements before it can be granted an AOC.

Burundi’s MA60 parked at Bujumbura International Airport

The month of September 2016 has seen the delivery of three new aircraft to the EAC States, namely; one Airbus A330-200 for Rwanda and two Bombardier Dash Q400 NG for Tanzania.

Following the delivery of these three iron birds, the eyes are all set on Uganda, which is now also under pressure to re-establish its national carrier, the onetime vibrant Uganda Airlines. Uganda has already started on the exercise of re-establishing the national carrier. Uganda has also heavily invested in the East African Civil Aviation Academy in Soroti as a means of churning out qualified cadres for the aviation industry. All this is seen by CASSOA as a positive move when the EAC leadership recognises the importance of flag carriers in the economic development of the State. It is CASSOA’s high hopes that the EAC Partner States will address amicably the question of a sustainable funding mechanism for the Agency, given the potential of a fast growing industry that requires effective safety and security oversight. Truly, the giant has woken up and one really hopes that one day, in the spirit of regionalism, the major EAc airlines shall amalgamate into an efficient once upon a time mighty East African Airways.

The commissioning ceremony of Tanzania’s new Dash Q400 planes for Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) at Julius Nyerere international airport by H.E. President John Pombe Magufuli

The new Airbus A330-200 for Rwandair parked at Kigali International Airport after delivery

Author - ea_admin