Notice of Board Meeting and 2nd Board Retreat
Notice of the 12th Extra-Ordinary EAC-CASSOA Board Meeting and the 2nd Corporate Governance Board Retreat scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 3rd to Friday, 6th April, 2018 in Mombasa, Kenya.
EALA visits EAC CASSOA
The 4th East African Legislative Assembly undertook an on-spot assessment to explore opportunity for enhancing integration in the central & Northern corridor of EAC region. Honorable members also got an insight on the operation of CASSOA among other EAC Institutions. Board members present, Ag. ED Mr Emile Nguza Arao and EAC CASSOA staff received EALA Members.
Aviation Symposium Kicked Off in Nairobi – Kenya
The 4th East African Community Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA) symposium was held in Nairobi, Kenya from 1st to 2nd February 2018 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel under the theme of ‘Aviation Safety and Collaborative Approach’. The symposium was held as an initiative to review CASSOA’s safety and harmonization programmes including the assistance to partner states to assist them in meeting ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices.
EAC – CASSOA
Jane Muthoni Leitich’s Candle Burns Out
Death robbed the aviation fraternity of yet another expert, Mrs. Jane Muthoni Leitich, formerly the Chief Legal Officer of Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and a member of the legal team assisting CASSOA with legal expertise during Working Group Meetings. The energetic Jane Muthoni succumbed to cancer on 7th January 2017 and will be laid to rest on 13th January 2017 after a requiem mass at Purpose Centre Church in Nairobi, Kenya.
To the CASSOA family, the name Jane Muthoni Leitich is synonymous with hard work and diligence in the CASSOA working group meetings deliberating on draft harmonised EAC Regulations and Technical Guidance Materials. She was a friend to everyone both because of her knowledge in legal affairs as well as her humourous attitude towards all who crossed her path. She participated in CASSOA activities from 2008 till the time of her death in January 2017. She is survived with two children and a husband.
Our deepest sympathy go to her husband Mr. Leitich, children, and her paternal and maternal families, plus all her colleagues at Kenya CAA. She will always be remembered with fondness.
EAC CASSOA
12th January 2017
Entebbe, Uganda
CHINA AND EAC SEAL DEAL TO IMPROVE ON AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN THE REGION
On 27th November, 2016, Arusha city was host to the EAC – China Electronic technology Corporation (CETC) High Forum. The EAC has established an Upper Flight Information Region (UFIR) as a single bloc over the Partner States airspace that will be operated from a single operations centre. This will make the region safer for investment and multinational markets.
China has benefited the international community in development projects and has been contributing to various countries of the developing world in the development of infrastructure. During the BRIC Summit that was held in South Africa, China announced a development plan for Africa that is worth billions of dollars. One of the areas earmarked for development is aviation. China has actively participated in the development of aviation in EAC and is looking towards the establishment of a sustainable aviation industry, thus the proposal to establish an EAC Joint ATM Laboratory.
The signing of the EAC Joint ATM Laboratory Agreement between Kenya and China in Mount Meru hotel, Arusha, Tanzania
The 27th November meeting was a great opportunity for CETC to meet with leaders of EAC and Partner States’ CAAs. CETC was established by the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) to develop both civil and military electronics. It is the main manufacturer and research company of electronic devices in China. For the first time, CETC this year entered into an agreement with the government of PRC to supply its products outside China. It has so far successfully exported its products to USA, Latin America and Asia. It has become the leading enterprise in aviation technology in PRC with corporation of CAAC. CETC played a leading role in the development of ATM in PRC. In 2004 – 2006, China and Europe developed an ATM platform. Last November 2015, CETC signed a co-operation agreement with Kenya. It is now looking forward to co-operation with the other EAC Partner States in the next 2 – 3 years. An important activity of this Forum is the signing of the EAC Joint ATM Laboratory Agreement. CETC plans to train African States in the ATM Laboratory for the development of ATM, and will eventually invest in establishment of an ATM academy in the next 5 years. CETC will recruit local experts as well for the running of this Academy which will perform research, maintenance of Next Generation ATM equipment.
During the meeting, the acting Director of KCAA ANS, Mr. Wesechere, gave a brief overview on the status of ATM in EAC Partner States. Participants were informed that Airspace classifications are unique in each State. Kenya and Uganda have made formal arrangements on special, joint, flexible use of their airspace. Traffic operating above FL 245 is more than that operating below FL 245. All Partner States except Burundi have HF. Kenya has AMHS and AIM automation while other PS are in the process of implementation.
At the end of the meeting, an EAC Joint ATM Laboratory Agreement between Kenya and China was signed, where the laboratory will be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya.
CASSOA congratulates the EAC Partner States and CETC on this great achievement.
CASSOA
December 2016
CASSOA Congratulates Uganda CAA on 25th Anniversary
The Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda, CAA (U), marked its 25th Anniversary with all the magnitude it deserved on the 8th December, 2016. The CAA (U) was actually established by an Act of Parliament in October 1991, however, management planned to bring the silver jubilee anniversary celebrations closer to those of the International Civil Aviation Day – 7th December, 2016.
During the dinner hosted by CAA (U) in celebration of the silver jubilee, the Managing Director and CEO of CAA (U) gave an abridged overview of the achievements of the Authority during the span of 25 years of its existence. During the same occasion, a Uganda Tourism promotional film was launched.
Some of the invited guests during the CAAU dinner to celebrate 25 years of existence
The celebrations were graced by the Minister of Works and Transport, Hon. Monica Azuba Ntege, and the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Ephraim Kamuntu, among the other invited dignitaries and stakeholders. CASSOA was represented during these celebrations.
CASSOA congratulates the Board, management and staff of CAA (U) on their 25th Anniversary.
CASSOA
December 2016
CASSOA Executive Director pays Courtesy Call on AATO SG
The African Association of Aviation Training Organisations (AATO) was established in October 2015 and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia offered to host it. One of the main objectives for the establishment of AATO was the standardisation of acceptable and approved training syllabuses for the aviation Approved Training Organisations in Africa.
AATO held a successful General Assembly in Kampala which drew participants from all continents of the world. AATO, like any regional or international organisation, is steadily growing but with challenges. It was therefore prudent that on 21st December 2016 the Regional Director of the ICAO Eastern and Southern Africa office (ESAF), Mr. Barry Kashambo, and the Executive Director for CASSOA, Mr. Robert Nviiri, used the opportunity of the LOC-I and UPRT workshop which was held at the Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Academy to pay a courtesy call on the AATO Secretary General – Ms. Margaret Kyarwenda.
The AATO Secretary General, Ms. Margaret Kyarwenda
The RD ICAO ESAF and ED CASSOA shared with the Secretary General of AATO experience of regional international organisations, which experience would come handy in her task of running her important office. In her remarks, the AATO Secretary General thanked the two executives for the brotherly technical assistance. She also gave them a brief overview of the organisation’s programmes and experience of the period AATO has been in operation.
CASSOA
22nd December 2016
SUCCESSFUL WORKSHOP ON LOC-I AND UPRT CO-ORGANISED BY ICAO-KCAA-ETHIOPIA CAA
Kenya, one of the CASSOA Partner States, and champion for Emerging Safety Issues Support Team for the Loss of Control in-Flight (LOC-I) together with the ICAO Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, and Ethiopian CAA co-organised a workshop on LOC-I and UPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training) from 19th – 21st December, 2016 at the Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Academy in Addis Ababa.
The workshop which was attended by a cross section of both pilots and aviation engineers from all the African ICAO regions, was facilitated by experienced aviators drawn from both operator and regulators. The workshop was a follow-up of the LOC-I symposium which was organised by KCAA in Nairobi, Kenya from 22nd – 24th June, 2015, during which CASSOA was invited and made a presentation on LOC-I.
The Regional Director ICAO ESAF, Mr. Barry Kashambo, delivering closing remarks of the LOC-I and UPRT workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 21st December, 2016.
The programme of the workshop included presentations on the latest developments on UPRT, the 5-year plan of action on LOC-I and a practical session for all participants on a UPRT compliant Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD). The participants gained useful information on how to handle stalls and recover from aeroplane upsets during this workshop. A simple basic principle that the participants found helpful was:
Detect >> Recognise >> Recall >> React
In general, it was noted that most of the air accidents that occur as a result of LOC-I and aircraft upset, are as a result of the pilot failing to properly follow the above principle.
Of interest to the participants was another simple rule of recovering from a stall, which is:
Lower the nose (reduce angle of attack) >> reduce bank angle to 0 degrees >> add power as necessary in order to level flight
The Agency which was represented by its Executive Director, Mr. Robert Mwesigwa Nviiri, thanked the organisers and facilitators of this workshop because it considers such workshops and in particular, the topic of LOC-I and UPRT a necessity in the 21st Century aviation industry and operations. The workshop was closed by the Regional Director of ICAO ESAF, Mr. Barry Kashambo after handing Certificates of Attendance to all the participants.
CASSOA
22nd December 2016
CASSOA gets Clean FY 2015/2016 Audit Report
It was all smiles for the East African Community Organs and Institutions when on 14th December 2016, the Chairperson of the External Audit Commission of the East African Community and State General Inspector of the Republic of Burundi, Ms. Gererose KIYAGO announce a clean audit Report for all Organs and Institutions of EAC.
The ceremony which started at exactly 1:00 p.m. is the first in EAC where the External Audit Report has been signed in the same year after the audit of accounts. In his remarks, the Secretary General thanked the Auditors General for their dedication that led to the completion of the audit process within the preset deadline. He committed that the EAC would implement the recommendations therein, being well aware that the Audit Report shall be presented to EALA and Council of Ministers.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the Audit Commission said that it was a pleasure to meet with the members of the Audit Commission and CEOs of EAC Organs and Institutions who had taken the process seriously. She also said that it was a pleasure to mark the end of the 60-day audit process for the ended year FY 2015/2016 in the preset deadlines, and there upon called upon the Auditors General present to sign the Report.
In general, it was noted that there has been a general improvement in the accounts of the Organs and Institutions of the EAC. The Heads of EAC Institutions were urged to get more deeply involved in the audit process, whose aim is to improve on the financial management of their institutions.
This is the ninth year in a row, where CASSOA is getting a clean audit Report since its establishment and commencement of operations in June 2007. We thank the Board and Staff of CASSOA for the efficient running of the Agency.
CASSOA
CASSOA to assist South Sudan to come on board the EAC Aviation Activities
CASSOA to assist South Sudan to come on board the EAC Aviation Activities
A high level meeting was convened on 25th October, 2016 in Kampala, Uganda pursuant to a directive of the EAC Council of Ministers at its 34th Meeting held in Arusha from 1st – 6th September, 2016 to deliberate on the development of a draft Roadmap towards the full integration of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) into the EAC. During the meeting which was held in Imperial Royale Hotel, the core priorities and programmes, expectations and obligations of RSS that will constitute the building blocks for the Roadmap were considered as presented by the various EAC Organs and Institutions.
CASSOA Intervention
CASSOA’s role in the integration process of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) into the EAC will be among others:
- Assisting RSS in the establishment and alignment of its civil aviation Primary Law (the Act) with requirements of the Chicago Convention;
- Assisting RSS in building capacity for civil aviation safety and security oversight;
- Assisting RSS with the harmonisation of its civil aviation Regulations with those of the EAC;
- Assisting RSS with the harmonisation of its technical guidance materials to the Regulations with those of the EAC;
- Preparing RSS for an ICAO safety oversight audit through mock audits;
- Preparing RSS for an ICAO security oversight audit through mock audits; and
- Conducting technical missions to RSS in order to evaluate the safety and security oversight capability, that is implementation of the eight Critical Elements of a safety/security oversight system of the State
CASSOA holds two working group meetings annually; one for review and development of technical guidance materials, and the other for review and development of civil aviation Regulations. CASSOA also convenes technical committee meetings (one of the organs of the CASSOA Board) on a quarterly basis in order to review and consider the output of the working group meetings, and thereafter make recommendations to the Board for final deliberations. RSS is expected to attend these meetings through representation of its relevant technical experts.
The CASSOA Board, the governing arm of the Agency, convenes on a quarterly basis annually. RSS is expected to participate in the Board meetings through representation by its Director General of the RSS Civil Aviation Authority and an aviation expert nominated by the government of RSS as spelt out in the Protocol on the Establishment of CASSOA.