Maravi

‘Zambian airspace safe even without a radar'

‘Zambian airspace safe even without a radar'
By Mwala Kalaluka
Wed 21 Dec. 2011, 13:45 CAT

THE Department of Civil Aviation says there is a possibility of aircraft flying in the Zambian airspace colliding because of the voice communication alternative control system being used.

In his submission before the Sebastian Zulu-chaired commission of inquiry on the contract for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of the Zambia Air Traffic Management Surveillance Radar System ZATM-RADAR at two international airports on Monday, DCA director Kenneth Silavwe said, however, that the Zambian airspace was safe even without a radar.

Silavwe, who was clarifying Zambia Public Procurement Authority ZPPA director general Samuel Chibuye's statement before the Commission that the EU banned Zambian air operators from flying into Europe due to the absence of a radar system, said the ban had nothing to do with the radar.

Silavwe said the EU ban on Zambian air operators followed a safety audit undertaken by the International Air Transport Association IATA's in February, 2009.

Silavwe said IATA established at that time that Zambian air operators were operating under authority of an Air Service Permit issued by the Minister of Transport and Communication.

"This was found to be below the acceptable international standards, which requires that air operators are issued with an Air Operating Certificate by the aviation regulating agency," Silavwe said.

"The problem was that there was no legal framework for the Air Operating Certificate to be issued in our primary aviation legislation."

Asked by Zulu if it was safe to fly aeroplanes without a radar, Silavwe responded in the affirmative.

"Yes, it is safe to operate aircraft without a radar as long as specific control measures are put in place as is the case in Zambia," Silavwe said. "A radar system enhances the safety attainable in air space. It is not mandatory for us to have a radar...it is a desirable surveillance tool, its optional, its not mandatory."

Silavwe said in the absence of a radar system, air traffic control in the Zambian airspace was being managed through the voice communication mode from pilot to controller, as an alternative.

Silavwe said voice communication control was what the controller on duty used to achieve separation of aircrafts from flying and banging into each other.

"Our radio communication is up to date for the international airports," he said. "It is on the basis of the information reported by the pilots...which the controller uses to separate air traffic horizontally and vertically. A collision is possible. We would like to avoid a collision."

But Silavwe said nowadays aircraft above 5,700 kg are required to carry with them an air traffic collision avoidance system.

Labels: AIRPORTS, CORRUPTION

posted by MrK @ 3:35 PM