Aerodrome & Airspace Standards

OBJECTIVE

To ensure the provision of aviation safety and security at all Nigeria aerodromes and the airspace.

FUNCTION

• Ensuring that aerodromes and airspace in Nigeria are safe and secure in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).

• Reviewing ICAO State letters on the subject of Aerodromes and Airspace, preparing response thereto and taking action thereon.

• Notifying ICAO of differences between national regulations and SARPs contained in ICAO Annexes 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 18

• Carrying out of aerodrome and heliport certification/ licensing in accordance with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Act of 2006 and Nig.CARs.

• Participation in site selection for construction of aerodromes.

• Inspection of aerodrome operational activities including airside management, Aero-bridge operation, Aircraft Slot Allotment; carousels.

• Oversight and licensing of ground handling operation and activities to ensure compliance with ICAO and National standards and best practices.

• Ensure compliance of aerodrome operator/ owner to the ICAO and National standards of Bird/ Wildlife Management.

• Conduct aerodrome related incident investigation.

• Aeronautical studies of proposed tall structures to prevent hazards to air navigation.

• Evaluation of aerodrome/heliport facilities across country.

• Issuance of Obstacle clearance certificate to persons/organization intending to construct tall structures within or outside the aerodrome environment.

• Appraisal of Manual of operation of ground Handling Organizations.

• Conducting oversight function on Airport facilitation.

• Participate in site selection process for aerodrome planning, design, construction and expansion of projects as well as providing technical guidance to aerodrome applicant.

• Evaluation and Supervising testing of aerodrome emergency programme in order to determine the aerodrome preparedness.

• Ensuring that relevant Aviation Fire Training institutions meet required standards in accordance with the Nig.CARs.

• Oversight of aviation farms, Jet A1 truck and operational standards and best practices.

• Developing and continuing to review national safety standards and ICAO recommended practices relating to Aerodrome Standards and Air Navigation Standards.

• Monitoring and continuous surveillance inspections/audits of Aerodrome facilities/technical personnel to ensure compliance.

• Regulate or prohibit any structure which by virtue of its height,location or position is considered to constitute a hazard to air navigation.

• Regulate or prohibit any structure which by virtue of its height, location or position is considered to constitute a hazard to air navigation.

• Developing/Issuing Safety directives and/ or Safety Publications containing guidance material relating to the standards and ICAO recommended practices to promote the improvement of safety at all Aerodrome.

• Providing expertise and support on request to the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) for investigating aviation accidents/incidents.

• Reviewing accident and incident reports produced by the AIB and performing investigations, where necessary, to determine if there is any violation of safety regulations and requirements by the Operators/ Service providers with a view to instituting remedial actions.

• Coordination and approval of the content of the Nigerian Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) within the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

• Participating in the technical evaluation proficiency exercises of Air Traffic Controllers and other relevant licensed personnel.

• Ensuring the efficient operation of aeronautical search and rescue units in accordance with approved policies, standards and procedures.

• Reviewing and taking follow-up actions on air traffic accidents/incidents to prevent reoccurrence and ensuing that agencies, units and personnel concerned comply with decisions adopted.

• Participating in the licensing examination programmes for ATS and ATSEP personnel.

• Coordinate and Approve airspace planning procedures and design.

• Auditing and monitoring the Air Navigation Services equipment, automation requirement and development in line with the CNS/ATM implementation programme for the National Airspace.

• Coordination of aeronautical frequency planning, assignment and enforcement of control of interference with ICAO in matters relating to aeronautical frequency spectrum utilization.

• Reviewing plans and design for new aerodromes or further development of (or modification to) existing ones.

• Ensuring compliance of aeronautical metrological service provider with ICAO SARPs, MOS and Nig.CARs as regards observations, facilities, documentation, and dissemination of information, quality control, qualifications and adequacy of personnel.

• Assessing the safety performance of industry stakeholders through monitoring, inspecting and conducting regular safety audits, and by reviewing the findings and thereafter proffer preventive and corrective actions needed.

• Providing the Director General NCAA with such information and advice as required from time to time.

• Develop and review regulatory documents, including manuals of standards and guidance materials in accordance with ICAO Annexes and related Documents within the provisions of the Nig.CARs.

• Monitor the implantation of corrective actions on observed deficiencies.

• DAAS also collaborate with the Navigational Aids Flight Inspection and Surveillance (NAFIS) unit in carrying-out flight calibration of Navigational Aids and Airfield lighting.