US DOT/FAA TEAMS WITH IATA TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF SATELLITE NAVIGATION PROCEDURES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

The US Department of Transportation /Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has agreed to participate actively in the IATA Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Procedures Development Project for 14 states in Southern Africa. The FAA will provide an aircraft to perform flight validation/inspection services to ensure that the 104 GNSS procedures that IATA will develop for 26 airports in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements.

IATA Director General & CEO Pierre J. Jeanniot stated, "We welcome this excellent example of cooperation between SADC States, IATA and the DOT/FAA to improve and verify navigational procedures that will both enhance air safety and significantly improve the economics of air transport in Southern Africa”.

US Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta highlighted, in recent remarks, the necessity of partnerships with public and private-sector organizations such as IATA to help improve aviation safety in Africa. FAA Administrator Jane Garvey said, “The DOT and the FAA are very pleased to cooperate with IATA on this important project as part of the US ‘Safe Skies for Africa’ Initiative.”

IATA and its partner Innovative Solutions International, a US company that specializes in satellite navigation, have completed the necessary geodetic (WGS-84) surveys at all 26 airports - and are now developing GNSS approach, landing and departure procedures that utilize the latest, most precise technologies. This task is expected to be completed by the end of September.

The FAA, using highly sophisticated equipment, will then flight inspect and certify every GNSS Procedure to ensure that it meets the required criteria. This inspection will also demonstrate that passenger aircraft can safely approach and land at African airports using satellite technology. The ability to provide better approaches will increase the usability of many airports and reduce delays, diversions, overflights and cancellations due to bad weather.