CAA organises specialist expert group to plan, manage Sri Lanka’s airspace
View(s):The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAA) has identified the need for the formation of an expert group representing all key state organisations involved in local air navigation activities. The purpose of the new group is for planning, management and coordination of Sri Lanka airspace and the Colombo Flight Information Region under a National Air Navigation Plan which is to be developed in conformity with requirements in the ICAO Regional Air Navigation Plan for implementation, the CAA said in a media release.
The first meeting of the above group was held recently convened by the CAA Director General (DGCA) on August 13 in Colombo. H.M.C. Nimalsiri, DGCA, was appointed as the Chairman of the Group which is named as the “Sri Lanka Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Review Group” (SLANPIRG).
The SLANPIRG was initially tasked to develop Sri Lanka Air Navigation Plan taking into account of the Aviation System Block Upgrades which has been introduced by the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) under its Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP). It presents a framework for harmonizing avionics capabilities and the required air traffic management ground infrastructure as well as automation. The framework is the Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBUs). An ASBU is a package of capabilities (modules) which has essential qualities of:
—Clearly defined measurable operational improvements with appropriate metrics to determine success
—Necessary equipment and/or systems in aircraft and on the ground along with an operational approved or certification plan
—Standards and procedures for airborne and ground systems.
—Positive business case over a clearly defined period of time
The CAA said the ASBUs provide a roadmap to assist air navigation service providers in the development of their individual strategic plans and investment decisions with a goal of global aviation system interoperability.
Once the National Air Navigation Plan is developed in line with ASBU principles, it will provide an overview of the processes that will guide decision makers’ selection and implementation of the ASBUs to ensure global interoperability and satisfy both national and regional requirements, the CAA said.