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Tag: Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

Senate summons Sirika, others over air mishaps

The Senate Tuesday resolved to invite Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to brief it on steps taken by his ministry to minimize air mishaps in the country.

Apart from Sirika, who is mandated appear before the Senate in plenary, the upper chamber also invited heads of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and every other relevant agency in the aviation industry to give a full briefing on the steps that have been taken to minimise human errors and avoid preventable air crashes.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion on “The need to minimize the possibility of Air Mishaps and Near Fatalities in Nigeria,” sponsored by Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) and eight others.

Ashafa in his lead debate prayed the Senate to observe that on the 20th of February, 2018 the story of a near fatal incident involving Dana Airlines with number 9J0363 hit the news waves.

He noted that it was reported that the aircraft overshot the runway upon landing at the Port Harcourt Airport, on a flight from Abuja.

He said that the incident was attributed to the wet surface of the runway

Ashafa recalled that “just a few weeks before the afore stated event, there was also panic on Wednesday, 7th of February, 2018, when the emergency door of an aircraft conveying passengers to Abuja fell off upon landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe, International Airport in Abuja.”

The Lagos East lawmaker said that he is aware that while the said aircraft was cleared to return to service on the same day by the relevant authorities the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), “an experienced pilot interviewed was of the opinion that the aircraft might have experienced a component failure.”

He noted that report quoted the pilot to have said “What happened is likely to be a component failure due to hand landing. It couldn’t have fallen off when the aircraft was airborne because the aircraft cabin is pressurised. It is very difficult for that to happen but it could fall off when the aircraft is on the ground”;

He expressed concern that “these recent occurrences might be a sign of a sequence of human errors, caused by the failure of  officials and staff of the agencies saddled with the responsibility of guaranteeing safety to carry out their due diligence before issuing clearance for aircrafts to operate within the Nigerian airspace.”

Ashafa further recalled with sadness that Nigeria has experienced a significant number of air catastrophes that cost the lives of hundreds of Nigerians, due to a range of causes including human and technical error.

He said that a chronicle of air mishaps caused by human error as reported  an article titled: Human errors, dereliction of duty are major causes of plane crashes in Nigeria, stated as follows: ”Avoidable human errors and dereliction of duty by public officials working in the aviation sector have been major reasons for the loss of hundreds of lives in air crashes in Nigeria, reports by the Aviation Investigation Bureau (AIB) have shown.”

The report, he said, stated further that:”Some of the human errors identified by AIB as causes of the plane crashes include non-lightening of runways and airfields, poorly constructed drainage culverts, inaccurate information by the control tower, lack of proper certification of radio operators and poor supervision of aircraft imported into the country.”

He stated with concern that “it is against this backdrop that it has now become imperative to move with speed and  alacrity in order to ensure that all relevant agencies in the Aviation industry do their work with excellence and minimal human error in order to prevent avoidable loss of human lives.”

All senators who contributed to the motion agreed that urgent steps should be taken to fix the aviation section in the interest of the flying public.

Read Also: Senate seeks immediate end to NASU strike

March 6, 2018
Unregistered firm carries out ground handling operations at Lagos Airport

An unregistered ground handling company, Menzies Aviation Wednesday carried out ground handling operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos without regulatory approval.

Investigation by our correspondent indicated that the ground handling company was still undergoing certification processes with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), before it carried out the alleged illegal ground handling operations.

An NCAA source told The Nation that the ground handling agent handled Air Cote d’Ivoire at Lagos Airport.

The flight departed from Abidjan.

Investigations revealed that the ground handling company has its headquarters in Dublin, Scotland, but has its base in Accra, Ghana.

In a swift reaction, spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, in a telephone interview confirmed the development, .

He said the NCAA has commenced investigations on the issue.

A source close to NCAA told The Nation that the unregistered company used the license of Precision Aviation Handling Company Ltd (PAHCOL), which was issued certification by the regulatory body some few years ago, but could not commence operations due to lack of equipment.

Besides, it was gathered that Menzies Aviation used the ground handling equipment of Arik Air to carry out ground handling operations on the West African carrier. Arik Air is not licensed to do ground handling for another airline, but has the right to handle some of its operations.

The source said: “The handling company came in without an operating license and they rendered handling services to Air Cote d’Ivoire today (yesterday). It indicates that our airports are porous to the extent that an unregistered ground handling company will operate in our airport. They borrowed Arik Air equipment to commence handling meanwhile Arik Air is not a ground handling company. How did their staff get to the ramp?

“The company used PACHOL license, which NCAA has already told them that it is not transferable. NCAA actually told them to do the proper thing that if they want to come into Nigeria, they should go and register while the agency carries out security checks on them. They know that if they use PACHOL name to operate, the company cannot attract foreign and big airlines. So, they claimed to be Menzies to clients in order to attract airlines.

“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) did not give them apron pass; they now went to use Arik equipment to get to the apron area to commence operations. They are using PACHOL licence and Arik equipment to deceive clients and FAAN.”

A security source said such act was a breach of security standards and should attract severe sanctions from the regulatory agency.

The security source said before any company could carry out operations at the airport, it ought to go through security checks, which he said the company had violated with commencement of operations without due approval.

Adurogboye said the regulatory agency was investigating the issue and confirmed that the agency had been reported to the management.

He said: “The matter has been reported to us. I have been able to confirm that and NCAA is looking at all angles on the matter. We will look at the aspect of registration. Do they have the appropriate clearance to do what they did?

“We know they applied to NCAA for ground handling business, but what we are looking at is whether they were certified to start operating. We are investigating their operations.”

February 7, 2018
Aviation unions ground operations at Bristow, Caverton helicopters

Aviation Unions on Thursday grounded the operations of Bristow Helicopters and Caverton Helicopters over refusal of their management to address issues bordering on the welfare of their members. The unions comprised of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers ( NAAPE ), Association of Aviation Professionals ( ANAP ), and other affilates in the United Labour Congress ( ULC ).

Members of the unions in the two helicopter companies withdrew their services, including the supply of fuel until issues raised by the unions are equitably resolved.

At the General Aviation Terminal ( GAT ), wing of the Lagos Airport, scores of union members blocked the entrance and exit gates of Bristow Helicopters to prevent passengers and others planning to patronise the firm from gaining access.

Singing solidarity songs and dancing to music blaring from loud speakers, the union members expressed disenchantment over the way and manner the management of Bristow Helicopters maltreats and humilate its Nigerian workers.

They dislayed placards with inscriptions that drives home the maltreatment of Nigerian workers by the helicopter company.

Some of the placards reads: “Racism in Bristow must stop”.

“Nigerian Jobs for Nigerians”

“We say no to forced labour in Bristow”.

“Stop abusing and violating our rights and privileges “.

Addressing members of the unions, National President of NAAPE, Comrade Galadima Abednego said they were forced to shut down Bristow and Caverton Helicopters because of the failure of their management to address issues concerning their members.

He said attempts by NAAPE in the last four years to impress it on the management of Bristow to do the needfull has failed despite interventions by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA ).

He said : “The management of Bristow Group has been unrelenting in violating both the spirit and letters of the Conditions of Service wittingly agreed to by them.

The airline has kept pilots and engineers progression at bay.

Refusal to pay for forced work rotation which they kept in place for the whole year January to December of 2017.

Declared redundancy but refused to offer any justification as required by labour law and Condition of Service, while bidding for time to render potential victims helpless.

Commenced a policy of witch-hunting, intimidation and victimization of union members leading to arbitrary sacking of a pilot without recourse to the procedures established in the Conditions of Service.

Created and forced engineers into a shift pattern that requires them work for in excess of what is agreed in the Conditions of Service.

Read also: Buhari vows to improve aviation infrastructure

“Our union has tried its best to be calmed, composed and matured under this maze of malfeasance on the part of the management.

“We have tried every form of engagement with the hope of securing an amicable settlement of these issues. But our forbearance has been taken for granted, and our patience has been repaid with scorn and mocking by the management.

“Having no further means to get amelioration, our union has no alternative than to embark on this industrial action.”

The NAAPE President said the strike could only be called off, if the management of Bristow takes steps to resolve pending issues.

He said : “Accordingly, this strike action will remain in place until the following demands are met.

“That the management of Bristow Group justifies their extraordinary recruitment of expatriates, or streamlines the number of expatriates in its employ to be in alignment with Nigeria’s Expatriate Quota Laws.

“Recalls the NAAPE member sacked arbitrarily with due apology and immediately locate all pilots and engineers appropriately on the progression matrix established by the Conditions of Service.

“Pay arrears of all work done as per approved pay structures in the company as contained in the Conditions of Service, abrogate all shift systems that are contrary to the progressions of the Conditions of Service and for work done presently in excess of approved hours of work in the Conditions of Service.

“Undertake to abstain from current strong arm tactics, impunity, intimidation, manipulation of facts, and general recklessness.

“We call on the Minister of Labour and employment, the Minister of Interior, Minister of State, Aviation, the leadership of the National Assembly, the Director General of the NCAA and all agencies of government connected to these issues to come to our aid in confronting and bringing under control, this hydra-headed monster called Bristow Helicopters.

This will be in the general interest of Nigeria and her citizens, as well as the orderly development of the aviation sector in Nigeria.”

On Caverton, the NAAPE boss said the firm’s operations was shut because it has been shortchanging its members.

He said : “We shut down Caverton Helicopters operations because the the condition of service has expired. The management has been using delay tactics.”

February 1, 2018
Truck hits Air Peace aircraft at Lagos Airport

A truck operated by one of the ground handling companies on Thursday rammed into and damaged an aircraft belonging to Air Peace at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, disrupting some of its flights.

The incident occurred in the morning during the loading of passengers’ luggage into the cargo hold of the aircraft scheduled to service the carrier’s Lagos-Uyo route.

A statement issued by the Corporate Communications Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the door of the rear cargo hold of the aircraft was impacted and damaged in the incident.

The aircraft, it added, had been declared unserviceable. The airline’s Uyo-bound passengers, the statement said, were rescheduled to fly later in the day.

The airline said it deeply regretted the disruption of its Lagos-Uyo service and the delay the incident caused its passengers. It assured that arrangements had been made to take the affected passengers to their destinations.

It would be recalled that a truck belonging to another ground handling company also hit and damaged an aircraft belonging to Air Peace at the Benin Airport in April this year.

Air Peace confirmed that officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) were already investigating the incident at the Lagos airport on Thursday.

December 21, 2017
NCAA alerts airline operators on weather hazard

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA ) has issued a weather alert to all airline operators indicating hazards associated with Harmattan dust haze in flight operations at this period of the year.

A statement by the NCAA General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye, on Sunday said the alert was important as Harmattan was a threat to aircraft particularly in areas of challenging terrains due to low visibility.

Adurogboye said according to the Seasonal Rainfall Prediction issued by the Nigerian Meteorological ( NiMet ) Agency, the prevailing weather condition is likely to herald a long and severe dust haze in the months ahead.

He said:”The Advisory circular AC: NCAA- AEROMET-24 is intended to alert pilots of the hazards associated with dust haze which is a dry and dusty wind that blows southwards from the Sahara across Nigeria during the months of November to March.

“The effect of the dust and sand stirred by the wind is known as Harmattan Dust Haze.

“Therefore, pilots should note that air-to-ground visibility may be considerably reduced due to the dust haze.

“In addition, aerodrome visibility might fall below the prescribed minima and in severe conditions dust haze can blot out runways, the markers and airfield lightings over wide areas.”

According to him, this makes visual navigation extremely difficult or impossible.

“Resultantly, where visibility falls below the prescribed weather minima, flight operations are expected to be delayed, diverted or outrightly cancelled.

“Hence, all pilots are obliged to exercise maximum restraint especially when severe weather condition is observed or reported by NIMET,” he said.

The NCAA spokesperson advised pilots to obtain adequate departure, en route and destination weather information and briefing from NIMET prior to flight operations at all the airports.

He also urged Flight Crews/Operators and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) to ensure adherence to aerodrome operating minima.

“Operators are therefore advised to ensure necessary measures are put in place to manage the effects of flight delays or cancellations on their passengers.

“All stakeholders are required to ensure strict compliance with this circular,” Adurogboye said.

NAN

November 12, 2017
Domestic airlines airlift 3m passengers in 6 months

Domestic airlines in Nigeria lifted a total of 3,287,310 passengers in the first six months of this year.

The figure, however, represents a 21 per cent decrease, compared to the 4,193,862 passengers airlifted within the period last year.

According to the Consumer Protection Directorate of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA ), the decrease is due to the current economic hardships in the country, which is affecting air travels adversely.

Records obtained from the NCAA show that only 45 airplanes are currently in active service out of the 74 planes in the fleet of the eight domestic airlines servicing Africa’s most populous nation at present.

The airlines are Aero Contractors, Arik Air, Azman Air, Dana Air, Med-View, Overland, First Nation and Air Peace.

The top three performing domestic airlines in the first half of this year are Air Peace, which leads the performance chart with 6,715 flights, Arik Air 4,069 flights and Dana Air 3,261 flights.

But the flights operated by the airlines also declined by 28 per cent as they were only able to operate 21,662 flights in the first half this year.

The eight airlines collectively operated 30,100 flights within the first six months of 2016, according to NCAA records.

The drop in the number of flights operated by the airlines was not unconnected with the steady depletion of airplanes in the fleet of the airlines.

Commenting on the development, the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria ( AON ), Capt. Noggie Meggisson, argued that a safety and economic policy must have to be put in place for the airlines to survive.

He noted that some critical issues also needed to be addressed before the sector could actualise its potential fully.

Meggisson said that some of the issues that needed to be addressed included removal of value-added tax for domestic airlines and a review of the five per cent ticket sales charge to a flat rate.

The AON chief also called for a harmonisation of what he called the over 35 multiple charges that were becoming huge burdens to the airlines.

Meggisson named other problems plaguing the airlines as poor navigational and landing aids that were limiting operations to only daytime at most Nigerian airports.

He similarly, identified high cost and epileptic supply of aviation fuel, Jet A1, saying that the problems were hindering the ease of doing business in the aviation sector.

Also, the President of the Aviation Round Table, Mr Gbenga Olowo, advised the Federal Government to urgently review Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Service Agreements ( BASAs ), which he said, had granted multiple entry points to foreign airlines.

“The issue of giving multiple destinations to the foreign airlines is not good for the country economically because it is killing our domestic airlines.

“My advice is that the BASAs should be reviewed to stop this open-sky arrangement, where one foreign airline can fly to Abuja, Lagos or any other of our international airports.’’

He also advised the domestic airlines to consolidate to survive the harsh operating environment in Nigeria.

Olowo said that operators should stop their cut-throat competition, which according to him, is doing no good to the aviation industry.

http://nan.ngNAN

October 9, 2017
FAAN, NiMet get international certification – Minister

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ) has received international certification for Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA ).

The Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika while receiving the certification of FAAN and Nigerian Meteorological Agency ( NiMet ) in Abuja on Tuesday, said both certificates were huge achievements toward security and safety in the aviation sector.

He said that Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, was the first international Airport in Nigeria to meet the requirement by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and NCAA regulations.

“This is indeed a huge achievement as far as we are concerned, Mr President had told us to secure this country and manage it, therefore, inline with his vision we align in building institutions and getting them to work well.
“Because once that is achieved it means that we are managing the country well, strong institutions will definitely begets strong nation.

The country had tried time and again to certify our airports in the past.

“It is a global requirements by International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO ) convention and Aerodrome requires that airports must be standardised.
“Under different ownership, under different cultures and climates, under different conditions all over the world and they must be standardise and they must reflect certain minimum standard of safety and security.

“This made it very paramount to ensure that our airports are certified.

“We promised the nation that we will get these airports certified, today by the grace of God we have achieved that milestone,” he said.

According to him, they are beginning to certify the airports with the Murtala Muhammed International Airport been the first to be certified by NCAA through ICAO standards.

He said this certification borders on safety which is a huge achievement in making sure that the nation institutions are strong, dynamic, focused and sensitive.

Sirika, however, commended the Ministry of Transportation for making the certification achievable and possible, stating that they hope to get certification for Nnamdi Nzikiwe airport before the end of the year.

He said they would ensure that both international and domestic airports get certified which would increase the value, the insurance would be low, charges and ticket would be lower as a result of the certification.

The Minister of State noted that the world will be at peace to know that Nigeria aviation is secured with flight operation being safe and secured within and outside the country.

He said that Mr President and the National Council had approved the concessioning of four major airports in the country which are Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.

Sirika further said that Nigeria will host the International Civil Aviation Organisation World Aviation Forum taking place on the Nov. 20 to Nov. 22 in Abuja, which is the first time the forum will be held outside Canada.

Speaking earlier, Managing Director of FAAN, Saleh Dunoma said FAAN has successfully completed the Aerodrome certification process of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

He said that the Aerodrome certification is an international requirement with the primary objective to ensure that all international Airports meets international safety standards.

“Aerodrome certification means ensuring the standardisation and harmonisation of airport service, facilities and procedures, as well as ensuring uniformity in safety.”

He said that the drive toward certification of Nigeria airports was yielding positive result as Nigeria was implementing one of the critical safety targets.

He said that Nigeria started the process of certification 11 years ago but due to several reasons they were unable to certify the airports until now.

According to him, with the certification of the Murtala Muhammad Airport, they will concentrate on the Nmandi Nzikiwe international Airport in Abuja, then to other airport.

He said FAAN was committed in the drive to get the aerodrome certification for all the airports in Nigeria.

Dunoma said that the certification would be renewed after three years, which will be year 2020.

Director for Western and Central Africa, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

Mr Sani Marshi, the Director-General of NiMet presented the International Standard Organisation (ISO) 2015 certification to the minister.

He said that NiMet was the first in the continent to have been given the international certification in compliance with international best practices.

He said that this is a huge achievement in the Nigerian aviation sector as Nigeria would become an example to other African countries.

Mr Mam Sait Jallow, ICAO Regional Director for West and Central Africa, said that both certifications are two key standards related to safety as most of the aircraft accidents are due to issued related to runway safety and also weather conditions.

“These are really key achievements which we wanted to witness and we won’t stop here because we are still in house and we have to climb on the roofs to publish what we have done.

“Technically, we have just concluded phase four and as far as certification is concerned, we now need to publish aeronautical information to the world for them to know that the Murtala Mohammed Airport is now certified likewise NiMet,” Jallow said.

September 20, 2017
Lagos International Airport gets certification

Nigeria’s premier gateway, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday became the first airport in the country to be certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The development makes the airport the first to be certified, out of the 22 airports managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The certificate was formally presented to the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr Saleh Dunoma, by the Director- General of the NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, at a ceremony at the NCAA’s headquarters in Lagos.

In his speech, Usman said the certificate was valid for a period of three years, noting that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the certification was sustained.

He said the current drive toward certification of Nigerian airports was significant not only as a requirement by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Nigerian civil aviation regulations but even more importantly as one of the critical safety targets of the Federal Government.

The director-general said that the declaration which was made in July 2012 mandated all African countries to certify their international airports.

He described the certification as an enabler for the attainment of a regional hub, which Nigeria desired for Lagos and Abuja.

“Aerodrome certification can be defined as a process by which a state can demonstrate that airports in its territory meet regulatory safety requirements on a continuing basis.

“It is providing uniform conditions for safe and efficient operation of aircraft from all other states as required by Article 15 of the Chicago Convention.

“Aerodrome certification is therefore, an ICAO strategy for the standardisation and harmonisation of airport services, facilities and procedures as well as ensuring uniformity in safety of critical aerodrome elements, irrespective of the differences in ownership and management of such aerodromes.”

Usman said the objective of the certification was to assist states to effectively implement the critical elements of a safety oversight system in accordance with Annex 14 Vol. 1and other relevant ICAO specifications.

The NCAA boss said it was also to signify to aircraft operators and other organisations operating at the aerodrome that at the time of certification, the aerodrome met the specifications regarding its facilities and operations.

He stressed that the NCAA was committed to the certification of all Nigerian international airports in line with its regulations, ICAO safety and recommended practices as well as the Africa-Indian Ocean Regional Safety Targets.

“In furtherance of the above objective, the certification of Abuja airport is in the final stage, while strategic measures have been put in place by the NCAA and FAAN to ensure the certification of Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kaduna international airports by July 2018,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Mohammed Odonowo, Director of Aerodromes and Airspace Standards of NCAA, said the certification, which was done in five phases, was of immense benefit to aviation stakeholders and the travelling public.

“The expected benefits of aerodrome certification include enhancement in the provision of safety critical aerodrome facilities, services, procedures and personnel.

“It also includes enhancement in collaborative decision making amongst airport stakeholders, especially between the aerodrome operator and the NCAA.

“It will as well foster enhancement in safety and efficiency of flight operations as a result of improved facilities and services.”

He said further that the certification would facilitate the development of regional hubs through improved capacity, safety and efficiency and attract inflow of capital investments into airport development and management.

Also speaking, Dunoma said he was delighted that the certification of the Lagos airport which took two and a half years had finally been achieved.

He stressed that focus was now on getting certification for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and other airports in the country.

“We are going to make sure that this certification is sustained. We have come up with a sustainability programme which was accepted with a few corrections.

“I want to thank the technical personnel of FAAN and the NCAA as well as ICAO Western and Central Africa for making this certification possible.”

September 18, 2017
Appeal panel upholds NCAA’s N33.5m sanctions on FirstNation, Pilot

A five-man appeal panel has upheld and reaffirmed the N33.5 million sanctions imposed on FirstNation Airways and one of its pilots by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, Mr Sam Adurogboye, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos.

Adurogboye said the panel had concluded its sitting and submitted its report to the regulatory authority.

He said FirstNation Airways had earlier filed an appeal following a Letter of Sanction written to the airline on Jan. 23.

“It will be recalled that violations were detected during a ramp inspection on the airline’s aircraft, Airbus A319 with registration mark 5N-FNE, on Nov. 8, 2016, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

“After the exercise, it was discovered that the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) was not in possession of a current medical certificate.

“In addition, the airline similarly rostered the pilot to carry out operational flights when obviously his medical certificate had expired.

“Therefore, the airline and the pilot violated Parts 8.4.1.5 (a), 8.14.1.2 (1), 8.14.9.4 (a) (1) and 8.2.1.8(a) (24) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2015.

“Consequently, in accordance with IS 1.3.3. (1)(14) of the Nig.CARs, 2015, the airline and pilot were fined N32 million and N1.5 million being moderate civil penalty for the violation,’’ Adurogboye said.

According to him, the airline, however, swiftly filed an appeal to the NCAA in disagreement with the reported violations and sanctions.

He said the regulatory authority in its responsiveness and quest to be just and fair to all, constituted an appeal committee to hear the airline’s appeal.

Adurogboye said the five-man appeal panel had three airline operators, a private legal luminary and NCAA officials as observers.

He added that FirstNation Airways was represented by four lawyers, the pilot and three management staff.

Adurogboye said: “After four days of sitting, submissions and deliberations, the panel upheld and reiterated the applicable sanctions meted out to the airline and its pilot.

“It arrived at the following conclusions in agreement with the NCAA findings prelude to the application of sanctions.

“The ATRL 1874 License of the Pilot in Command of FirstNation Airways had expired on the Nov. 2, 2016. The PIC was not in possession of the license during the ramp inspection on Nov. 8, 2016.

“The PIC did not have a valid license and was not properly certified from Nov. 2 to Nov.8, 2016.The PIC operated 15 flights and the airline rostered the PIC 16 times.

“The PIC operated with expired license from Nov. 2 to Nov. 8, 2016 and there was indications that the airline knew the PIC did not have a valid license.’’

He said this was a very serious safety issue, therefore, the moderate sanctions applied by the NCAA were reasonable under the circumstances.

Adurogboye said the PIC’s argument that he had a valid license when he operated the flights was incorrect, as he had no valid Medical Certificate.

He said the PIC had 14 days according to NCARs to apply before the expiration of the license but however did not apply until Nov. 3, 2016, after expiration.

Adurogboye said: “the invoice was issued by NCAA on Nov. 3, 2016.

“The pilot did not do the Cardiac Risk Assessment (CRA) test mandatory for his 62 years age even after he was informed by NCAA the Authorised Aviation Medical Examiner (AAME).

“He did the medical assessment eventually. The CRA report was dated Nov. 7, 2016 and was sent to the NCAA on Nov. 8, 2016.

“Therefore, the accusation of delay and inefficiency by the authority is wrong and unfounded. The PIC and the airline did not follow laid down procedure.

“NCAA received the medical report same day, reviewed it and issued the Medical Certificate same day on Nov. 8, 2016.’’

He said the panel consequently dismissed dismissed all grounds of the appeal and upheld the NCAAs Letters of Sanctions.

Adurogboye said the NCAA would continue to provide level playing field to all airline operators.

“However, failure to adhere to safety regulations shall attract applicable sanctions,’’ he said.

July 30, 2017
NCAA issues first drones operator certificate to Oando

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Thursday issued its first Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs)/Drones Operators Certificate (ROC) to Oando Plc.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Capt. Muhtar Usman, Director General, NCAA, presented the certificate to the Oando management at the Aviation House in Lagos.

Usman noted that the organisation was pioneering the issuance of certificate to civil and private operators in the unmanned aircraft operations category.

“Oando Reservoir and Production Services Ltd. received the certificate having satisfied the requirements and found competent to secure the safe operation of the aircraft type Lockheed Martin’s SN 248-255.

“The certificate is for flights with the purpose of aerial work specifically Environmental Observation Monitoring and Protection,’’ he said.

The director general advised the company to ensure strict compliance with all the requirements covering the approval.

According to him, the company is expected to adhere to all operations specifications as contained in the approval document.

Usman alerted the company to expect some initial minor challenges as it was a new initiative, adding that the NCAA would, however, was ready to respond promptly to the challenges.

“Taking cognisance of the rapid pace in technological development, the RPAs regulatory framework is a work in progress.

“Hence, we shall continually engage the industry stakeholders to review the regulations when necessary,’’ he said.

Usman said the RPAs Operators Certificate would remain in force till June 15, 2019 and should be carried on site during authorised and approved operations.

He said the NCAA would continue to provide opportunities and level playing field for all prospective and existing operators in the aviation industry and its allied services.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the certificate was received on behalf of Oando led Mr Anthony Sawyer, its General Manager, Operations.

Sawyer commended the NCAA team for their professionalism and diligence during the process of the certification, which he described as rigorous.

“Oando will definitely abide by all the conditions attached to the certificate especially with our pioneer status,’’ he said.

To qualify for the certificate, applicants are expected to go through five phases including pre-application stage, formal application, document evaluation, demonstration and inspection, and final certification.

June 29, 2017