NEWS AND DEVELOPMENTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION – VOL.72 – NO.2UNITING AVIATIONALSO IN THIS ISSUE: HIGH-LEVEL CONFERENCE ON SEARCH AND RESCUETECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS FOR TRACKING AIRCRAFTINTERVIEW WITH NEW ANC PRESIDENT HAJIME YOSHIMURATRAINING SYMPOSIUM ADDRESSES CAPACITY GAPSREGIONAL SAFETYICAO/EASA SWAZILAND EVENT ENDORSES NEW PROPOSAL FOR GLOBAL AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT SYSTEMCOOPERATION THE ICAO JOURNALVOLUME 69, NUMBER 1, 2014EditorialICAO Communications Unit Tel: +1 (514) 954-8221 www.icao.int communications@icao.int twitter.com/icaoPhotographyPhotography of official ICAO events and signings provided by: Vanda D’Alonzo Photography E-mail: vandaphoto@mac.com Website: www.vandaphoto.comBang MarketingStéphanie Kennan Tel: +1 (514) 849-2264 E-mail: info@bang-marketing.com Website: www.bang-marketing.comAdvertisingFCM Communications Inc.Yves Allard Tel: +1 (450) 677-3535 Fax: +1 (450) 677-4445 E-mail: info@fcmcommunications.caSubmissionsThe Journal encourages submissions from interestedindividuals, Organizations and States wishing to shareupdates, perspectives or analysis related to globalcivil aviation. 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While ICAO makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the material of these profiles, the advertiser is solely responsible for the content. Information contained therein does not necessarily represent or reflect the views, opinions and policies of the International Civil Aviation Organization.29Dr. Liu Named ATN Leader of the Year ICAO Secretary General accepts 2017 Air Transport News (ATN) Leader of the Year Award. Greek Officials Express Public Key Directory InterestTHE ICAO JOURNALVOLUME 72, NUMBER 2, 2017EditorialICAO Communications Unit Tel: +1 (514) 954-8221 www.icao.int communications@icao.int twitter.com/icaoEditor: Rick Adams AeroPerspectives Tel: (33) 434 10 77 05 rickadams@aeroperspectives.com Website: AeroPerspectives.comAdvertisingFCM Communications Inc.Yves Allard Tel: +1 (450) 677-3535 Fax: +1 (450) 677-4445 E-mail: info@fcmcommunications.caSubmissionsThe Journal encourages submissions from interestedindividuals, Organizations and States wishing to shareupdates, perspectives or analysis related to globalcivil aviation. Subscriptions and single copiesYearly subscription (4 issues) US $40.Single copies available for US $10. For subscriptionand sales information, please contact the Sales and Customer Relationship Unit Tel: +1 (514) 954-8022 E-mail: sales@icao.intPublished in Montréal, Canada. ISSN 0018 8778.The information published in the ICAO Journal wascorrect at time of printing. The opinions expressedare those of the authors alone and do not necessarilyreflect the opinions of ICAO or its Member States.Reproduction of articles in the ICAO Journal isencouraged. The ICAO Journal must be credited in any reproduction.Printed by ICAOContents25NACC Marks 60th Anniversary NACC Sets High EI Goals30On Track The challenge of ICAO’s two-phase Standard for tracking commercial aircraft has stimulated multiple creative technology solutions. 26ICAO Training Symposium Addresses Capacity Gaps The Association of African Aviation Training Organizations (AATO) is addressing course curricula, instructor training, and certificates.37Interview: New ANC President Mr. Hajime Yoshimura of Japan has served as a Commissioner of the ANC since 2013 and was appointed the ANC's First Vice-President in 2016.40Other News South American Region Developing “SAM Plan” EUR/NAT: From North Africa to the North Pole New Aeronautical Comms Network for APAC New Ulaanbaatar International Airport in Mongolia13High-Level Conference Drives SARS Improvements for African States Togo event highlights challenges of organizing cooperation, communication and coordination.2Message from the ICAO President17ANB Providing Safety Tools and Technical AssistanceNew progress supporting a major component of the No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative.18ICAO Council Ecuador Visit Showcases Environmental PrioritiesGalapagos best practices highlight need to balance ecological preservation and tourism priorities.5SPECIAL REPORT – REGIONAL SAFETY COOPERATION RSOO Forum Agrees on Global Strategy & Action Plan and AFI Ministers Adopt Declaration Supporting Newly-Proposed Global Aviation Safety Oversight System (GASOS)20Sustainable Fuels? Believe It.The ICAO Global Framework for Aviation Alternative Fuels (GFAAF) database has been expanded with news, initiatives, maps, and technical publications.MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ICAO COUNCILThe key objective of the ICAO/EASA Global Forum on Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOOs), graciously hosted by the Kingdom of Swaziland earlier this year in Ezulwini, was to address the sustainability and effectiveness of these crucial mechanisms for regional State cooperation and long-term safety progress in civil aviation.Our shared success there, in conjunction with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the many States present, represented a major milestone in the evolution of Regional Safety Oversight Organizations for civil aviation safety. A special African Ministerial event, held in conjunction with the Forum, also led to the adoption of a Declaration on how African States will now work to refine their collaborative efforts and improve aviation safety oversight continent-wide. TAKING REGIONAL SAFETY COOPERATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL2 ICAO JOURNAL – ISSUE 1 2017Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu ICAO JOURNAL – ISSUE 2 2017 3The RSOO model is time tested, and also an important means by which many States which cannot afford to provide effective aviation safety oversight can pool their resources and avoid duplication of efforts. This model for international cooperation brings very important and cost-effective capabilities to many areas of the world, and when we consider that just one major aircraft accident investigation can incur costs upwards of $100 million in some cases, the rationales for determining cost-effective collaborative approaches in the interest of continuous aviation safety improvement make very clear sense.Through the diverse deliberations at this event, we were able to identify the joint capabilities, services and functions that RSOOs can provide to their Member States and aviation stakeholders. We also clarified the relationships between States and RSOOs, and the effect these have on State oversight, the delegation of functions, accountability and sovereignty, and lastly we considered various proposals on how to facilitate the sustainable financing of RSOO activities and operations.A key outcome which arose from these very engaging discussions was the agreement on a global strategy and action plan for the overall improvement and strengthening of RSOO relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and adaptability. The second key development was the agreement to explore the feasibility of a new Global Aviation Safety Oversight System (GASOS).ICAO’s cooperation with States with respect to the first outcome will likely encompass future evaluations of all current obstacles to ensuring a sustainable RSOO funding framework. This in turn will permit us to jointly establish proposals for innovative and practical collaborative budgeting solutions.It will also involve proposals to classify RSOO functions so as to better empower them to provide support and services to their Member States at the consultative and coordination level, the operational assistance level, and the certifying agency level. A further goal concerns the establishment of an RSOO Cooperative Platform to improve how these agencies coordinate and share best practices and expert resources with each other and ICAO. With respect to the GASOS framework, an initial feasibility study will be undertaken on its establishment, including with respect to the classification of State oversight providers and their mandated tasks, functions, and levels of empowerment. This type of global framework will help ICAO to assess and provide recognition to RSOOs and safety oversight providers for their operations and achievements and to evolve the existing conventional mechanisms toward a more progressive, comprehensive, flexible, and effective global system for providing safety oversight.This global strategy and action plan provided the basis for the subsequent discussions undertaken at the follow-on Ministerial portion of the event, which focused more intently on a specific and nearer-term roadmap for supporting and strengthening RSOOs in the Africa and Indian Ocean (AFI) Region.Africa is one of the fastest growing air transport markets in the world today, and its expanding aviation connectivity is delivering very positive impacts on local tourism and trade, and acting as a catalyst for sustainable social, economic and human development. This is clearly evident in the seven million jobs it provides today to skilled African employees, and the 34.5 billion dollars aviation generates in terms of overall African GDP, and highlights the importance of the Ministerial Declaration which emerged from the Ezulwini meetings. Current and future aviation growth will strongly support the realization of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and especially its goal to drive inclusive growth, sustainable development, and the accelerated integration of African economies. We must of course recognize and appreciate the contributions to these very positive global RSOO outcomes by EASA, other RSOOs, and all the speakers who shared their knowledge, experience and expertise to enable this forward-looking end result. Undoubtedly, our work ahead together will be of significant benefit to States and RSOOs themselves, but also the air transport industry, its millions of passengers, and all of the businesses it helps to connect to the global marketplace. It is because of these aviation benefits, and the contributions they make to sustainable development across the full socio-economic spectrum for States and Regions, that we work so hard to cooperate together and achieve this type of consensus-based progress in global civil aviation. Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu President of the ICAO Council“This model for international cooperation brings very important and cost-effective capabilities to many areas of the world...”MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ICAO COUNCILwww.icao.intICAO’s Global PresenceNorth American, Central American and Caribbean (NACC) Office,Mexico City South American (SAM) Office,Lima Western and Central African (WACAF) Office,DakarEuropean and North Atlantic (EUR/NAT) Office, ParísAsia and Pacific (APAC) Regional Sub-Office,BeijingAsia and Pacific (APAC) Office,BangkokEastern and Southern African (ESAF) Office,NairobiMiddle East (MID) Office, CairoICAO Air Navigation Commission (ANC) Information accurate at time of printingPresident: Mr. Hajime Yoshimura First Vice-President: Mr. Claude HurleySecond Vice-President: Mr. Ismael Pacheco Serrano Secretary: Mr. Stephen CreamerMembers of the Air Navigation Commission are nominated by Contracting States and appointed by the Council. They act in their personal expert capacity and not as representatives of their nominations.Mr. J. BollardMr. R.H. CarboniMr. M.G. FernandoMr. R.H. GodinhoMr. M. HalidouMr. T. Andersen Mr. C. HurleyMr. A.A. KorsakovMrs. E. KoryfidouMr. J. MetwalliMrs. I. MonnierMr. N. NaoumiMrs. K.L. RiensemaMr. I.P. SerranoMr. F. TaiMr. J. W. K. TwijukeMr. W. VossMr. H. YoshimuraMr. K. YuICAO Council Information accurate at time of printingPresident: Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard AliuAlgeria Mr. A.D. MesrouaArgentina Mr. G.E. AinchilAustralia Mr. S.C. LucasBrazil Mrs. M.G.V. da CostaCabo Verde Mr. C.A.B.C.L. MonteiroCanada Mr. M. PagéChina Mr. S. YangColombia Mr. A.M. Gómez Congo Mr. R.M. OndzottoCuba Mrs. M.M.C. FrasquieriEcuador Mr. I.F.A. LascanoEgypt Mr. A.H.M. KhedrFrance Mr. P. BertouxGermany Mr. U. SchwierczinskiIndia Mr. A. Shekhar Ireland Mrs. A.S. Floch Italy Mr. M.R. RusconiJapan Mr. S. MatsuiKenya Ms. M.B. AworiMalaysia Mr. L.Y. HengMexico Mr. D. Méndez MayoraNigeria Mr. M.S. NuhuPanama Mr. G.S. OllerRepubic of Korea Mr. J. HurRussian Federation Mr. A.A. NovgorodovSaudi Arabia Mr. S.A.R. HashemSingapore Mr. T.C. NgSouth Africa Mr. M.D.T. PeegeSpain Mr. V.M. AguadoSweden Mrs. H.J. SaxeTurkey Mr. A.R. Çolak United Arab Emirates Ms. A. AlhameliUnited Kingdom Mr. M. RodmellUnited Republic of Tanzania Mr. R.W. BokangoUnited States VACANTUruguay Mr. M. VidalRSOO FORUM AGREES ON GLOBAL STRATEGY & ACTION PLANGlobal Forum on Regional Safety Oversight Organizations Ezulwini, Swaziland, 22 to 24 March 2017ORGANIZERSICAO and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)HOSTKingdom of SwazilandPARTICIPANTS200 participants from 48 States and 32 International OrganizationsKEY OUTCOMES■ Endorsement of a proposal for a new Global Aviation Safety Oversight System (GASOS).■ Significant progress on key objectives to improve the cooperation and efficiency of Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOOs) – both globally and in ICAO’s Africa and Indian Ocean (AFI) Region. ■ Signing of a formal declaration on how African States will work to refine their collaborative efforts and improve aviation safety oversight continent-wide. Participants from 48 States and 32 International Organizations agreed on a global strategy and action plan for the strengthening of Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOOs), including the establishment of a Global Aviation Safety Oversight System (GASOS), at a forum held in late March in the southern African nation of Swaziland. Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the ICAO Council, said the deliberations at the event will “better empower [RSOOs] at the consultative and coordination level, the operational assistance level, and the certifying agency level, and establish an RSOO Cooperative Platform to improve how these agencies coordinate and share best practices and expert resources with each other and ICAO.”Dr. Aliu noted the new GASOS framework will help ICAO “to assess and provide recognition to RSOOs for their operations and achievements,” while more technical certifying functions would fall under ICAO’s established Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). ICAO JOURNAL – ISSUE 2 2017 5SPECIAL FOCUS: REGIONAL SAFETY COOPERATIONSPECIAL FOCUS: REGIONAL SAFETY COOPERATIONSome States have difficulties resolving safety deficiencies due to limited financial, technical and/or qualified human resources. Therefore, ICAO initiated the development of regional cooperation and assistance to improve States’ safety oversight capabilities and resolve safety-related deficiencies (ICAO Assembly Resolutions A35-7 and A37-8 superseded by A38-5).Benefits of regional cooperation include harmonization, including uniformity of oversight legislation, policy and procedures, setting of measurable targets to address safety-related deficiencies, and increased effectiveness and efficiency by sharing experience and resources.Here are some highlights of the RSOO Global Forum discussions.SETTING THE STAGEMr. Stephen Creamer, Director of ICAO's Air Navigation Bureau, highlighted that several States have yet to establish satisfactory national safety oversight systems and that some of the States have Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs). ICAO has developed a Policy and Framework on Regional Cooperation that is committed to providing States assistance, in technical and policy matters, by promoting regional cooperation through close partnerships with regional organizations and regional civil aviation bodies. RSOOs have great potential to assist States to comply with their obligations under the Chicago Convention. He explained that RSOOs can play two roles: they carry out safety oversight tasks and functions on behalf of their Member States and, in accordance with the Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP), they are actively involved, along with States and Regional Aviation Safety Groups (RASGs), in harmonizing activities undertaken to address aviation safety issues at the regional level. “Nevertheless, effective safety oversight is not necessarily guaranteed by the establishment of an RSOO,” Mr. Creamer stated. “The majority of RSOOs face a number of challenges, among them to obtain sustainable funding and, as a consequence, recruit suitably qualified technical staff. In addition, some of the RSOOs face challenges with respect to the failure of their Member States to make adequate use of their RSOO.”Mr. Patrick Ky, Executive Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), said meeting safety oversight responsibilities remains a constant challenge. EASA, at the centre of the regional aviation safety system in Europe, is interested to discuss how to further strengthen regional initiatives for the benefit of global aviation safety, and to continue the process of integrating RSOOs into the global regulatory framework. Mr. Joachim Luecking, Head of Unit for Aviation Safety in the Directorate General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission (EC), emphasized that regionalization can enhance aviation safety. The concept of RSOOs is already embedded in Annex 19 and ICAO’s Safety Oversight Manual. ICAO is evolving from a State framework and acknowledging regional arrangements. RSOOs can bring multiple benefits: the uniform application of safety regulations and tools, response to safety recommendations or inspector pooling; economic market access; and response to the challenges of the future growth of the aviation system. GLOBAL UPDATESMr. Catalin Radu, Deputy Director Aviation Safety in the Air Navigation Bureau of ICAO, reported on ICAO's actions and achievements since the 2011 RSOO symposium and the High-Level Safety Conference 2015. He presented an overview of ICAO initiatives on regional aviation safety mechanisms and outlined recent RSOO developments, on the transitions from Cooperative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness Programmes (COSCAPs) to RSOO and the establishment of new RSOOs. Mr. Mam Sait Jallow, Regional Director for the Western and Central Africa Region of ICAO (WACAF), highlighted the challenges of long transitions and low levels of financial support. The region now accommodates four RSOOs and one Regional Accident and Incident Investigation Organization (RAIO). Mr. Prosper Zo’o Minto’o, Deputy Regional Director for WACAF, presented the COSCAP-SADC transition to SADC Aviation Safety Organization (SASO).Dr. Salmi Alsrisari, General Manager Safety and Risk in the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saudi Arabia, presented the newly established Middle East and North Africa (MENA) RSOO which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia.Before establishing the RSOO, a study showed the need and willingness of the States within the region. Mr. Saud Hashem, The deliberations will “better empower [RSOOs] at the consultative and coordination level, the operational assistance level, and the certifying agency level, and establish an RSOO Cooperative Platform...”– Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, ICAO Council PresidentSPECIAL FOCUS: REGIONAL SAFETY COOPERATIONRepresentative of Saudi Arabia on the ICAO Council informed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will contribute USD 1.5 million to the RSOO for its establishment and initial two years of operation.RSOO UPDATESMr. Franklin Hoyer, Regional Director of the ICAO South America (SAM) Region, presented the activities of the regional safety oversight cooperation system (SRVSOP), whose mission is to provide assistance to States to overcome challenges in safety oversight. The 12 participating States have achieved 80 per cent effective implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) and have a direct benefit of approximately USD 35 million. SRVSOP provides for harmonized regulations, technical publications (e.g. advisory circulars, guidance procedures, inspector manuals and checklists), training, technical assistance and multinational certification.Mr. Nari Williams-Singh, Chairman of the Board of Directors, presented the history of the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS), which facilitates the sharing of expertise, resources and deployment of inspectors across its Member States, and harmonizes standards and training. CASSOS signed an agreement with another RSOO to benefit from each other’s experience and has also concluded cooperation agreements with some States outside its region. A recent initiative is the establishment of a RAIO. Mr. Wilson Sagati, Chairman of the Council of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO), explained that the RSOO was created with the aim of increasing the level of effective implementation of SARPS of 10 Pacific Island States, and to provide guidance and technical advice to these States for certification and oversight. The New Zealand regulatory system serves as a basis. The biggest challenge is the shift to a risk-based approach for which the PASO States are not yet prepared. PASO established a pool of inspectors and obtained funding from the World Bank and New Zealand.Mr. Robert Mwesigwa Nviiri, Executive Director, explained that the East African Community Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA), an autonomous and accountable organization as part of East African Community (EAC), has been harmonizing the regulations and guidance material in the areas of safety and security, facilitated the sharing of technical resources to address deficiencies in safety oversight, prepared States for ICAO audits and developed harmonized corrective action plans after ICAO audits. CASSOA is cooperating with other RSOOs and ICAO to build capacity.Mr. Emmanuel Akatue, Executive Director of Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (BAGASOO), explained the transition from a COSCAP to an RSOO. BAGASOO concentrates on capacity building and provides, for example, training, on-demand assistance to its States, information, safety tools and activity coordination with sponsors. BAGASOO has established an inspector training and activity tracking tool as well as a ramp inspection programme. Funding remains a major issue with contributions of less than MINISTERIAL AFI REGION RSOO FORUM ENDORSES GASOSThe final day of the Global Forum on Regional Safety Oversight Organizations was dedicated to the AFI Region. It was attended by 13 ministers responsible for civil aviation from Congo, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Lesotho, Mauritania, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa, Swaziland, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The regional Forum was chaired by Senator Pastor Lindiwe Dlamini, Honourable Minister of Public Works and Transport, Kingdom of Swaziland. The forum was addressed by Mr. Patrick Ky, Executive Director, EASA; Ms. Iyabo Sosina, Secretary General, AFCAC; and Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the ICAO Council.The regional Forum was informed with presentations on the AFI Plan, outcomes of the Global Forum, and a proposed roadmap for supporting and strengthening RSOOs in the AFI Region. The Ministers endorsed the newly proposed Global Aviation Safety Oversight System (GASOS), an action plan to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of RSOOs, and a new cooperative platform to facilitate the agreed evolution in regional collaboration.Next >