ON THE FRONTLINE OF AVIATION SAFETY - SETTING STANDARDS FOR NOW AND THE FUTURE BEING A PAPER PRESENTED BY ENGR E.N.G ORAGWU – AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR (NCAA) AS GUEST SPEAKER TO THE 46TH IFATSEA GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN SHERATON HOTELS ABUJA-NIGERIA FROM OCT 31ST TO NOVEMBER 04 2016

What are standards ? Definition . Any specification for physical characteristics, configuration, matériel, performance, personnel or procedure, the uniform application of which is recognized as necessary for the safety or regularity of international air navigation

Annexes 1-19 to the convention on International Civil Aviation provides the standards and recommended practices used by the ICAO contracting states. Some noteworthy are: Annex 1 –Personnel Licensing Annex 2 – Rules of the Air Annex 6 – Operation of the aircraft Annex 8 – Airworthiness of aircraft Annex 10 – Aeronautical Telecommunications Annex 11 – Air Traffic Services Annex 14 - Aerodromes Annex 19 – Safety Management

What are Recommended Practices? Any specification for physical characteristics, configuration, matériel, performance, personnel or procedure, the uniform application of which is recognized as desirable in the interest of safety, regularity or efficiency of international air navigation’

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Re-organised in 2006. Developed and secured the approval of a Civil Aviation Act- 2006 Articulated the Nig,CARs 2006

- Passed the ICAO USOAP Audit 2006 - Developed and issued the Nig.CARs 2009 - Passed the FAA CAT 1 Audit 2010 - Reviewed the Nig. CARs 2009 - Developed and issued the Nig.CARs 2015 (current)

ATSEP LICENSE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA ATSEP Started as an association of BAET students in NCAT in late 1970s Positioned a paper for implementation of ATSEP license in Nigeria presented by NAAE president at the National Civil Aviation Policy review in Abuja, Nigeria in Y2001 Approval for Implementation by NCAA - December Y2004 8 CNS Engineers sponsored by NAMA and NCAA Management trained for ATSEP license at DFS Academy, Langen- Germany in Y2003 Group also trained for the ATSEP Train-the Trainers course at same venue in Y2004

NCAA, NAMA and NCAT jointly developed ATSEP Pre-licensing training curriculum and established same in NCAT -Zaria in Y2004 First batch of ATSEP License trainees ATSEP 01 graduated from Zaria Y2005 - Over 400 plus ATSEP have trained from NCAT and licensed by NCAA since Y 2004

Nig.CARs 2006 -Section 21 ATSEP License Requirements: Ratings: Communications Sytems Navigational Aids Systems Surveillance systems: and - Electro-Mechanical Power systems

Nig.CARs 2009 - Section 2.2.1.1 (11) Approved ATSEP License as one of the licenses to be issued by NCAA

Nig.CARs 2015 (Official gazette 14th December 2015) Section 2.5.3 Ratings covered : Communication systems Navigational systems Surveillance systems Airfield Lighting /Visual Landing systems Any other ratings as may be considered by the Authority

ATSEP REQUIREMENTS: Knowledge requirements - Nig.CARs 2015 sec 2.5.3.5 - Air law - Knowledge area in CNS and AFL/VLS - Pass ATSEP pre-license course from an ATOs

Knowledge requirements for Ratings: Nig.CARs 2015; Section 2.5.3.6 For Communications ratings-Nig, CARS 2015, section 2.5,3,6 (a) For NavAids ratings- section 2.5.3.6 (b) For Surveillance ratings- section 2.5.3,6 (c ) ; and For AFL/VLS ratings – section 2.5.3.6 (d)

Experience Requirements: -Nig.CARs 2015 section 2.5.3.7 Practical Experience:- Communications ratings -12 months Navigational Aids – 12 months Surveillance - 12 months AFL/VLS - 12 months

Skill Requirements: - Nig.CARs 2.5.3.8 Each applicant must pass a skill test on the license/rating sought 5- week OJT field job tasks under supervision of a licensed/rated ATSEP Evidence of satisfactory completion of all job tasks associated with the ratings sought Assessment and/or practical examination by NCAA Aviation Safety Inspectors are done are the end of 5- weeks OJT at the facility.

Duration Of ATSEP License/Ratings - License 5 years (renewable) - Ratings 12 months (renewable)

SUMMARY: ICAO SARPS through the Annexes sets the minimum standards for Aviation practice Annexes 1, 2 , 10, 11, 14 and 19 are particularly interesting to ATSEP Parts 1, 2, 3, 14 and 19 of Nig.CARs 2015 are relevant to ATSEP Nig. CARs 2015 section 2.5.3 sets the ATSEP Requirements and associated Implementing standards

The NCAA through her Aviation Safety Inspectors in DAAS and DOL performs safety oversight functions, surveillance, Personnel licensing and ratings to ATSEP personnel, facilities and stations - Nig. CARs 2015; Part 14 and Part 2 respectively The NCAA also performs oversight functions and certification of Approved Training Organizations (ATOs) in accordance to Part 3 of Nig.CARs 2015 The NCAA amends Regulations when necessary and performs continued surveillance to ensure that the highest standards are met now and in the future

NCAA regulates practice of ATSEP license in accordance with provisions of the Regulations in force. License/Rating is a state safety document issued by NCAA on behalf of state as approval to exercise the privileges atache to that license/rating Benefit to state is that only competent licensed and skilled ATSEP re allowed by Regulation tp practice. Level of safety and sustenance of CNS/ATM facilities deployed at our airports, en-route systems and locations are enhanced Finally ATSEP are encouraged to work hard while on duty watch. Always bera in mind that the

In conclusion All ATSEP are advised to focus on obtaining your competence through hard work Be ICT compliant Always bear in mind that the system you provide and maintain and the signals you generate can make or mar safety of airspace users. - ANS providers should ensure that training of ATSEP and retraining should be given the priority it deserves as this is a sine -qua- non to maintaining highest standards and performance

THANKS