Latin America and Caribbean Safety private site

Flight safety improvement in the region is the topmost priority for the ROI in view of considerable air traffic increases being experienced and forecasted for the coming years. The areas receiving most attention are Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT), Approach and Landing Accidents (ALA), ATC Incidents/Airmisses, and regional compliance with international standards. The RO-I conducts a regular ATC Incident/Airmiss Sample survey in the region, aimed at identifying causative factors and areas that require State and/or ICAO action. Regional Flight Safety Conferences are held to develop programmes and airline consensus on activity required to improve the environment. Recently, the ROI, in coordination and partnership with several organizations, has developed a new approach to the flight safety programs aimed at regionwide integration of programs and consolidation of scarce resources; the initiative has been named Pan American Aviation Safety Team (PAAST).

Aeronautical systems and services in the region are in urgent need of modernization to adapt to current and forecasted traffic volumes, and to productively exploit the capabilities of new generation aircraft operating in the region. Along with a modernized ground-side system, a major concern for the ROI is the need for complete refurbishment of instrument procedures, airspace organisation, and the route/airway network.

The ROI is working closely with ICAO and the States to develop sound and practical regional CNS/ATM implementation projects. Considerable effort has been devoted, with excellent success, towards establishment of a GPS route and non-precision approach test-bed in the Eastern Caribbean, and current proposals have been forwarded to ICAO for a comprehensive RNAV route network throughout the region. Other efforts are being concentrated on RVSM in the South Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, VHF Data Link and ADS tests, and pre-ATN networks. In coordination with the Member Airlines operating in the region, the ROI has developed and maintains a current CNS/ATM User Driven Plan.

FLIGHT OPERATIONS WORKSHOP

The Goal of this workshop is to present technical information highlighting ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices applicable to Flight Operations Officers/Dispatchers who are charged with the duties and responsibilities for operational control over flights. In addition, this workshop will provide technical information to refresh attendees'knowledge and use of subject material related to those daily functions of Operational Control, Decision Making, Risk Management and Flight Planning. Offered in English and Spanish.

The ROI organizes regular airport operational assessments whereby IATA and its member airlines meet with the authorities and service providers in the key airports of the region. These assessments include a comprehensive inspection of the airport facilities (apron, runways, taxiways), crash, fire & rescue, and air traffic services. Meetings are held with the civil aviation and airport authorities to discuss issues of common interest including infrastructure deficiencies of concern to airlines; priorities for remedial action; possibilities for cooperation between IATA and the authorities to correct deficiencies; future development plans. The ROI carries out the follow-up action with the States.

The ROI maintains an extensive database of Air Traffic Service Incidents aimed at identifying causative factors and areas that require State and/or ICAO action. The database is fed by copies of reports raised by airlines that fly in the region; it records the follow-up actions taken by IATA, as well as the responses and remedial action taken by States. The ROI participates actively in the ICAO GEDIAT Task Force, which undertakes the analysis of incidents. This task force meets biannually to identify the causes and contributory factors for each incident and where appropriate, develops recommendations for remedial actions to be addressed to the States, ATS authorities, pilots and international organizations. This task force reports to the ICAO ATS Subgroup, and ICAO Aviation Safety Board. In addition to airline specialists, the work of the group is assisted by the participation of specialists from ICAO, IFALPA and IFATCA.