The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) seeks the co-operation of data originators and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth take-off of the aeronautical information services automation project, its Acting Managing Director, Emma Anasi, has said.
NAMA plans to complete the project in 11 locations by next month.
Speaking at the AIS Automation stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, last week, Anasi called on key agencies to enhance their data collation, processing, storage and exchange system to meet the requirement for data integrity, accuracy and availability.
The agencies, according to the NAMA boss, include : Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Nigerian Air Force.
He said on completion, the facility would link Nigeria to a centralised aeronautical database which would be connected to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) AFI Region Centralised Aeronautical Information Data Base (AFI-CAT).
Anasi said by next year, 26 Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) facilities at airports under the AIS automation project would provide the structure for the exchange and management of flight, operational and administrative information.
He said:”This network of information flow from service providers or data originators to airlines or airspace users will create the required environment for airport collaborative decision making.”
Other deliverables, according to the NAMA chief, would include the enhancement of electronic notice to airmen, flight planning, electronic aeronautical information planning and electronic charts to boost capacity for voice and data communication.
The enhancement, he said will boost both air-to-ground and ground-to- ground air navigation communication.
Earlier, NIMET Director-General, Dr Anthony Anuforom, called for regular meetings of stakeholders to monitor the progress of the project.
He said such interaction would fast-track the process.
Meanwhile, the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will next week convoke a One-day Stakeholders meeting to examine the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)/ Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) otherwise known as drones in the Nigerian Airspace.
General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, Mr Sam Adurogboye disclosed this in an interview.
He said the civil use of drones in the Nigerian airspace in the last few months has generated a lot of interests as it affects flight safety and security.
According to Adurogboye, the Abuja meeting will provide another opportunity for experts to examine a wide range of issues bordering on risk assessment, oversight, regulations as well as certification on the civil operations of drones.
Adurogboye said the meeting is mandatory for stakeholders as it will provide opportunity for experts to offer suggestions on how to improve on air safety .
The meeting, he also said has become imperative because the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was yet to publish Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) as its affects the certification and operations of drones.
The NCAA , he said, has put in place the Regulations/Advisory Circular for certification and operation for the use of civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)/ Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) in the Nigerian Airspace, through prescribed implementation standards .
