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The travelling public in month of September has put on a smile following the delivery of a brand new Airbus A330-200 for the Republic of Rwanda’s Rwandair. The smile even grew broader with the delivery of two new Bombardier Dash Q400 planes for the United Republic of Tanzania.

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 Tanzanian president who during the commissioning of the new planes cited poor management, persistent corruption within ATCL and lack of discipline among workers as some of the reasons for the airline’s downfall, recently appointed a vibrant son of the soil, Eng. Ladislaud Matindi, to head ATCL and steer it out of its woes. The Dash Q400 are modern efficient turbo prop planes that will enable ATCL propel to competitive levels in the region after which ATCL is expected to make enough savings that will make it a going concern. ATCL is now prepared to compete with Fastjet and Precision Air on both the domestic and international routes.

CASSOA congratulates the United Republic of Tanzania on the acquisition of these two state of the art turbo props and also looks forward to URT’s ambitions to secure Airbus jets for long haul operations.

EAC CASSOA

September, 2016

The ever growing numbers of tourists from abroad to the East African Community region, coupled with the number of East Africans travelling abroad for both private business and official missions brought along its own challenges, that of inadequate air vessel capacity and rising ticket fares.

It was to this effect that Rwandair, following the successful recertification by the country’s Regulatory Authority, moved in to fill the gap; first by acquiring two Boeing B737-700 and two Boeing B737-800 to ply the Dubai and West Africa air routes, and later by placing an order for a bigger bird – A330. Now, the bigger bird has been delivered and it is all smiles in Kigali and the EAC at large.

 The EAC region has come a long way in the development of civil aviation following the States’ independence from their colonial masters in the early 1960s. The EAC saw the amalgamation of local airlines in the region to consolidate the East African Airways, with their aircraft remaining on their State registry but the livery being that of East African Airways. East African Airways Corporation began operations on 1^st January 1946. The airline was a successor from the pioneering airline Wilson Airways and took on the ICAO registration code “VP” Victor Papa. The aircraft which were registered in the individual states were identified by the first letter of the State as follows; Uganda – VP-UAA, Kenya – VP-KAA (except for Tanzania which got her independence last – VP-ZAA).

Vickers Super VC10 1154, 5X-UVA, c/n 881 in London. The Super VC-10 was introduced on 13th October 1966. Photo: Steve Williams

The new technical challenge which the East African airlines face now is the diversity of the fleet, personal to holder, so to say. Each Partner State’s airline seems to have its own type of fleet with Kenya Airways having Boeing 737, 777, 787 and Embraers 190 while Tanzania’s Precision Air operates Aerospatiale ATR42 and ATR72, Air Tanzania has Dash DHC 8-Q3. Now Rwandair has brought in A330. This comes into play in cases of AOG – Aircraft on Ground technical delays, where a neighbouring State’s airline cannot loan a spare from its colleague across the border, but rather has to wait for the spare to be delivered from the Americas or Europe.

The new Airbus A330 after the ceremonious water canon guard of honour by the Kigali International Airport ARFF – Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, upon delivery in Kigali, Rwanda.

The new Rwandair A330, similar to the ones KLM uses to ply the route Kigali-Entebbe-Amsterdam.

Nonetheless, CASSOA whole heartedly congratulates the people of Rwanda, management and staff of Rwandair on their successful delivery of the new machine – Airbus A330.

EAC CASSOA

September, 2016

Front row Left – Right: Mr. Jacques Kragbe Douka (Project COSCAP-UEMOA), Mr. Robert M. Nviiri (EAC CASSOA), Ms. Suzette Nieuwoudt (SADC iSASO), Ms. Caroline Beth (EASA), Ms. Irene Gnassou Seka (Project COSCAP-UEMOA), Ms. Anabel Miralles (EASA), Mr. Jean Appolinaire Mokoumbou (ASECNA), Mr. Sadou Marafa (AAMAC), Mr. Wendell Lynch (EASA) Back row Left – Right: Mr. Frank Steffens (EASA), Mr. Matthias Borgmeire (EASA), Mr. Yves Koning (EASA), Mr. Emmanuel Guali Yoro (Cabinet du Commissaire DATC/UEMOA), Mr. Herbert D.C. Jow (BAGASOO)

The European Union supports African States to improve on their aviation safety oversight. In 2013 they launched a project called SIASA – Support to the Improvement of Aviation Safety in Africa to be implemented by EASA – European Aviation Safety Agency, that was to last for three years. The EASA SIASA project was kick started in January 2013 in Dakar during a meeting with AFCAC, ASECNA, and ICAO WACAF. A mission to collect information on areas of required assistance was undertaken up to February 2013, ending in ESAF region, and thereafter a joint RSOO meeting was held in March 2013 in Cologne.

During the SIASA project, EASA worked with various Regional Safety Oversight Organisations (RSOOs) in Africa with a budget of Euro 2.5m for the period 2013 – 2016. This budget was meant to cover expenses for technical mission trips in order to Africa to carry out training, and technical assistance to RSOOs, for example the development of SOFIA software.

The EASA set a work plan covering the following activities:

1. Assistance to States for countries with SSC and sharing of one expert for one year for 6 countries i.e. Benin, Congo, Mozambique, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Sierra Leone (four 1-week mission per country, selection methodology, Partners’ RSOO involvement)
2. Development of regulations and TGMs (PANS OPS, FOPS inspectors, ANS regulations)
3. Workshops (AIR, ATO certification, ICF)
4. Training (OPS inspectors, AOC OPS specs for Francophone States, Human factors, ANSP oversight)
5. Organisational activities (SOFIA, ECCAIRS, RSOO assistance)

Front row Left – Right: Ms. Caroline Beth, Mr. Jean A. Mokoumbou, Ms. Suzette Nieuwoudt, Mr. Luc Tytgat, Ms. Irene Gnassou Seka, Mr. Sadou Marafa, Mr. Jacques Kragbe Back row Left – Right: Mr. Robert Nviiri, Mr. Herbert Jow, Mr. Yves Koning

Due to the EBOLA crisis of 2014, Sierra Leone was not covered and instead Chad, Gabon, and Swaziland were selected for technical assistance. There is now a request to extend the SIASA project in order to cover Sierra Leone and follow up on Benin.

The SIASA project came to an end in 2016 and was officially closed on 1^st September 2016 in Cologne, Germany, at the new EASA Headquarters. EASA invited the RSOOs who were beneficiaries of the project and these included, BAGASOO, CASSOA, COSCAP-UEMOA, AAMAC and iSASO. During the meeting which lasted 31^st August – 1^st September 2016, the RSOOs gave feedback on their experience with the SIASA project implementation. The meeting agreed that there is need to address the challenge of sustainable funding of the RSOOs i.e. the best funding mechanism option. The RSOOs which were present opted to go by the results of the study done by IATA for CASSOA on the proposed funding options rather than pay for individual consultancy studies on the same matter.
The meeting also proposed that flights within the RSOO States be treated like domestic flights in order to promote the regional market.

Download presentation:CASSOA Presentation to EASA SIASA Closure – Aug 2016

African Aviation Training Organisations resolved to form an Association which would best champion their cause. The Ethiopian government offered to host the headquarters of the AATO in the capital Addis Ababa. The ceremony for commissioning the AATO head Office in Addis Ababa was held on 21^st October 2015. The first and current president of AATO is Mr. Tchagbele Sadamba.

The 2^nd General Assembly of the Association of African Aviation Training Organisations (AATO) was held in Kampala, Uganda from 23^rd – 25^th August 2016. The Assembly which was opened by the Ugandan Minister for Works and Transport, Hon. Monica Ntege Azuba, drew participants from both regional and international training organisations.

During the assembly, presentations were made on the topics aimed at ensuring acceptable standards of Aviation Training Organisations (ATO). CASSOA made a presentation on ATOs role in creating Global aviation standards to further improve safety and security. Among the key point in the presentations were:

• A fast growing aviation needs a centre of excellence to train personnel to support the industry
• The infrastructure and equipment of the ATO have to meet the international requirements for training the personnel to provide technical expertise to the industry
• ATOs have to be approved by the regulatory Authority of the State to ensure international acceptable standards for both operators and regulators as per PEL Regulations

CASSOA also informed the Assembly about the technical guidance materials it had developed which ATOs in the EAC region need to abide with, among which are:

• Advisory Circulars

1. CAA-AC-ANS008 Training programme for flight procedure design personnel,
2. CAA-AC-ATM004 Training programme for ATS staff,
3. CAA-AC-AWS015 ATO approval,
4. CAA-AC-AWS018 Training programme approval,
5. CAA-AC-MET003 Training programme for MET technical personnel,
6. CAA-AC- OPS025 Air Operator Training Programme ,
7. CAA-AC-OPS040 Certification of ATO,
8. CAA-AC-PEL025 Issue, Re-issue, Renewal of Ground Examiner Authorisation,

• Safety Management System Manual, and
• Quality Management System Manual

Download presentation: CASSOA Presentation to AATO AGA – Aug 2016

One of our development partners, the United Kingdom, carried out  training for Ugandan security organs’ and civil aviation authority security officers in counter MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defence Systems) from 21^st – 23^rd June 2016 in Entebbe.

The 3-day training, organised by the ‘Regional Aviation Security Liaison Office’ (RASLO) at the British High Commission in Nairobi, was conducted by experts from the UK Department for Transport, Metropolitan Police, and Ministry of Defence. Apart from training the security officers in counter MANPADS, the team also made an overview on the rising threat of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or drones as they are commonly known by the general public. The training attracted officers from Uganda Peoples Defence Forces, Uganda Peoples Airforce, Uganda Anti-Terrorism Police, Intelligence Security Services and Uganda Civil Aviation Authority. CASSOA also attended the sessions on observer status, represented by the Executive Director.

The workshop aimed at providing practical information on identifying and mitigating hot spots around the airport in order to enhance aviation security at Entebbe International Airport, and also introduction of threats posed by RPAS. The Uganda CAA Director for Safety, Security and Economic Regulation; Mr. Sam Muneeza, represented the Managing Director and CEO of Uganda CAA at the closing ceremony. While closing the workshop, Mr. Muneeza reiterated Uganda CAA’s appreciation to the continued support to Uganda in the field of enhancing aviation security by Her Majesty’s government.

He congratulated the participants on the successful completion of the training and urged them to put into practice the knowledge they had acquired.

On their part, the British team praised Uganda for the water-tight security measures put in place in order to counter MANPADS attacks. The participants were awarded certificates of attendance and also introduced to the new British High Commission RASLO, Mr. Jonathan Hart, following the expiry of the term for Ms. Vicky Hutchinson. The Ugandan team expressed their appreciation for the milestones achieved in aviation security during Ms. Vicky Hutchinson’s tenure at the Nairobi RASLO and wished her success in her next endeavours.

CASSOA, Entebbe

July 2016

China says its decisions on foreign policy questions derive from the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

Ever since China formally joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November 2001, its economy has continued growing strongly and attracting much foreign investment, at the same time the WTO entry has meant that China’s “reform and opening up” are now institutionalized. The clearest signs of institutionalized reform and opening are the changes that have been made in Chinese foreign trade policy. China’s government is now opening up most of its industries to foreign competition, and likewise its investments abroad are on the increase, the African continent not being left behind. Of course Chinese products are not new to the East African region, brands like Phoenix bicycles, Diamond padlocks, Chinese herbal medicaments, Tiger torches, and martial arts entertainment, just to mention but a few; are household names in the region for a long time.

The Chinese delegation from CAAC and AVIC, consultant from ADSE, Executive Director CASSOA and Board Technical Committee – Regulatory members at CASSOA Head Office during the mutual consultation process, 21st July 2016.

In the spirit of the above background, China now plans to go a step further and introduce another of their product brand into the region – Chinese aircraft manufactured by Xi’an Aircraft Company – AVIC. However, procedures have to be followed as far as Type Certification is concerned. The EAC region being  former colonies of the Western bloc, coupled with the fact that they are aircraft non-manufacturing States; by default subscribe to the American and British aircraft type certification process. Therefore there is need to perform a gap analysis of the FAR 25 (Western bloc) and CCAR 25 (Chinese) before the Chinese aircraft brand can be certified in the region. CASSOA engaged a consultancy firm, ADSE, from the Netherlands in order to perform an independent gap analysis between the FAR 25 and CAR 25.

The Chinese delegation visited CASSOA on 21^st July 2016 to deliberate on the results of the gap analysis with the consultant and CASSOA. The EAC and the Peoples’ Republic of China engaged in a mutual consultation process which would pave way to the introduction of Chinese aircraft technology in the region. The process is expected to be completed in August 2016.

Peter Wamanga (above) former Information and Communication Technology intern at EAC-CASSOA.

At around 7:00 a.m. on 18^th May 2016, a young and formerly energetic Peter Wamanga succumbed to pneumonia. To the CASSOA family, the name Peter Wamanga is synonymous with both hard work and laughter. He was a friend to everyone both because of his knowledge in ICT as well as his humourous attitude towards all who crossed his path and vice versa. He served in CASSOA from April 2010 till January 2011. Thereafter, he worked with the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) until his death on 18^th May 2016.

Our deepest sympathy go to the entire Wamanga family of Mbale, ASARECA family, and all his colleagues. He will always be remembered with fondness.

EAC CASSOA

18^th May 2016

Entebbe, Uganda