IFATSEA AFRICA 2018 Speech by CAPT G. M. KIBE DG KCAA

SPEECH BY CAPT. GILBERT M KIBE, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF KENYA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY DURING 8^TH INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF AIR TRAFFIC SAFETY ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATIONS (IFATSEA) AFRICA REGIONAL MEETING AND CONFERENCE AT BOMA HOTEL, NAIROBI ON TUESDAY, 31^ST JULY, 2018

Hon. James W Macharia, EGH,   Cabinet Secretary Transport, Infrastructure, Housing,

                                                        Urban Development and Public Works

Mr. Barry Kashambo, Regional Director, ICAO ESAF

Directors General of Civil Aviation present

Invited Guests

Colleagues    

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning

It gives me great pleasure to stand before you here this morning as one of the guests at the 8^th Africa Regional Meeting and Conference of International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Associations (IFATSEA).

Professional Associations bring together staff of common discipline to champion common interests and welfare for their well-being as well as to ensure that organisations achieve their stated mandates. Indeed IFATSEA has been a critical global player and more than a cog in the wheel in ensuring Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEPs) role finds prominence in National and global ICAO policies, Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS), this vital role cannot unfortunately be wished away.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Reflecting on the theme for this conference which is: “Aviation Safety and Security - ATSEPs Contributions”, I am sure that the objectives and challenges in the aviation industry are synonimous the world over and therefore, can be mastered only through international cooperation, mutual understanding and exchanging ideas and experiences; achieved through common discourses delivered in conferences like this one.

The role of ATSEPs is very important in ensuring safe, secure, efficient and effective global air transport. It is the ATSEP that, through innovation, has developed better systems to manage air traffic and ensure safety in the skies. The system of light beacons for bearing information has evolved through Non-Directional radio Beacons (most of which have been de-commissioned in Kenya) and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Radio range collocated with Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). Aircrafts can manage landing even in bad weather thanks to the Instrument Landing System (ILS).

Air Traffic Controllers can visualize the airplanes being controlled in addition to radio contact as a result of radar systems. Information about a a flight is known in advance due to communication networks such as Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network (AFTN) which is being replaced by Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS) for faster exchange of data not to forget the Aeronautical Information Management systems which will enhance user-experience and interoperability. More state of the art technologies including Controller-Pilot-Data-Link-Communications, Automatic Dependent Satellite Systems Broadcast or Contract (ADS-B(C)) have revolutionized flight movement.

All these innovations and more that are still being explored for launching can only be safeguarded and sustainable through a deliberate initiative that assures the integrity, security and safety of our airspaces – the very reason we host this auspicious conference.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In a nutshell, Kenya like our fellow African States have to maintain affiliation with global peer entities like International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association (IFATSEA) to gain from the synergy of its international affiliates on professional and technical matters. At Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, we recognize the necessity for all ATSEPs in Africa who follow a common profession with similar challenges to coalsce effort towards enhancing safety of air navigation and therefore become united in worldwide professional matters bereft of any subjective affiliations.

As an Authority we strive to not only achieve ICAO system availability thresholds but endevour to go beyond. For instance, availability of our critical communication, navigation and surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) systems stands at 94.6%, implementation of the provisions of ICAO Annex 1 – Personnel Licensing and Training manual (Doc. 7192) for global standardized ATSEP training and certification has been enhanced through development and approval of ATSEP Policy document.

More initiatives are being undertaken with a view to putting into prominence of the ATSEP function in execution of our mandate. For instance , the Civil Aviation (Personnel Licensing) Regulations 2018, now provides for inclusion of ATSEPs into regulatory framework that deals with issuance of licenses, certifications, ratings and authorizations. This is expected to delegate safety responsibilities to individual ATSEPs on actions pertaining to their roles and duties.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to conclude by sincerely thanking you for finding time to join us and request your indulgince in sampling our globally acclaimed tourist sites on menu and enjoying Kenya’s hospitality during your stay. I wish you a productive and engaging deliberations ahead.

Ladies and Gentlemen, join me in inviting Hon. James W Macharia, EGH Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works to make his remarks and officially open this Conference.

Thank you very much and may God bless you abundantly.