NAMA TO TRAIN ATCs ON PBN AND WIND SHEAR EQUIPMENT ...RESTATES COMMITMENT TO CIVIL/MILITARY COORDINATION

A total of 40 Air Traffic Controllers are to proceed for training this month on Performance Based Navigation (PBN) in Cairo, Egypt as part of efforts by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA to enhance capacity of its critical manpower in operations.

According to the Managing Director, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, this training is part of the wider effort of management in ensuring the continuous training and retraining of personnel to keep pace with dynamics of evolving technology. Engr. Abdulsalam  who was represented  by the acting  direrector of Operations,  Mr Edward Ogedegbe at this year’s Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) Annual General Meeting (AGM)which took place in Kano ,also disclosed that another five Air Traffic Controllers have been billed for   WindShear Equipment training in Germany by December, 2014.

The NAMA boss revealed that with the Mode ‘S’ Data link and Controller/Pilot Data Link (CPDLC) almost ready for takeoff, much of verbal communication between pilots and control tower would give way to digital/data communication, leading to less fatigue and increased flight precision.

Engr. Abdulsalam also expressed delight that management’s effort in staff training has boosted the area radar control service introduced last year with more Air Traffic Controllers, successfully obtaining ratings from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA).

In a related development,the NAMA boss  has stated that the collective and harmonious collaboration of the Army, Navy, Air Force and NAMA in airspace coordination will guarantee the safety and security of both civil and military users.

 Engr. Abdulsalam who stated this during the 2014 Airspace Management Seminar held at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State, noted that since the airspace is a single resource, the flexibility of its usage by both civil and military will make for more flight efficiency and economic air navigation, stressing that NAMA is committed to providing technical and operational support for the planned deployment of military radars in support of national security as well as ensuring the interoperability of civil/military components of TRACON.

 Earlier in his remarks, Air Commodore Bello Garba of Command Evaluation, Headquarters Command, Kaduna called for ‘’more concerted liaison between NAMA and the Nigerian Air Force at both strategic and unit levels to ensure effective airspace coordination’’ just as he harped on the need for the military to ensure maximum cooperation with civil counterparts in the use of aeronautical facilities and in the monitoring and security of the nation’s airspace. This year’s seminar had in attendance representatives from NAMA, FAAN, NCAA as well as the Ministry of Aviation.