Aviation experts skilled in Aviation Safety Management

The CAA Manager Safety Management Systems and Quality Assurance, Mr. David Matovu  (Third left, middle row) with aviation experts who undertook the training at Hotel Africana, Kampala.

Heightened safety awareness and skills will be crucial in the management of Safety management systems for all Aviation operational staff, the CAA Manager Safety Management Systems and Quality Assurance, Mr. David Matovu declared during a one week training of twenty five CAA, Directorate of Air Navigation Services Staff at Hotel Africana from February 4 – 8, 2019.

Mr. Matovu also took time to recognize the significance of the Aviation Safety Management course which was implemented in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 19, ICAO Safety Management Systems (SMS) Manual and CAA Air Navigation Services SMS Regulations. He urged participants to embrace the basics learnt from the course and make use of the knowledge while on the job.

“We must embrace these transformations and prepare for them through the implementation of the different safety management frameworks and regulatory infrastructure to keep our sector vital, efficient, and fully responsive to the needs and expectations of the aviation industry,” he highlighted.

The course was facilitated by International Air Transport Association (IATA) in conjunction with Aviation Training Academy (ATA) of South Africa. The course widened participants understanding on safety management fundamentals, the importance of system description and gap analysis, safety communication, safety risk management and creating a basic SMS implementation plan among others.

During the closing ceremony, the CAA Principal Human Resource Officer, Mr. Gilbert Obwor who represented the Director Human Resource and Administration, stressed that it was imperative to focus on the role that safety awareness plays in keeping aviation hazards at bay. He highlighted that air transport today is “on the brink of some major transformations and this course would not have happened at a better time.”

Mr. Obwor also underscored that adherence to ICAO’s Global plans keeps Uganda at pace with innovations in the air transport sector and stressed that “the role of aligning Safety Management requirements in ICAO Annex 19 including the relationship between the State Safety Program and a Service provider SMS cannot be over emphasized.”

He extended gratitude to the facilitators and encouraged participants to implement the lessons learnt in their day to day work.