four engine jock
3rd Jun 2008, 13:57
I recently found this letter.
Just thought it would be a good topic!!!
Subject: Final implementation for RVSM, in APIRG
IATA has set the final implementation for RVSM, in APIRG, by September 25th 2008. The documents I have received however, do not mention which part or which airway structure will be considered RVSM. Could you kindly specify the RVSM airspace, in particular Africa mainland itself?
As far as implementing RVSM in the African continent, Airlines should strongly oppose such implementation, especially for the sake of Air Safety, which cannot be guaranteed in the continent as it is of now, let alone when RVSM will be in effect, mainly due to the lack of radar and skilled ATC controllers.
Many Airlines have had several air proximity’s in the last three years in Africa, which at least 20 where in the Brazzaville FIR and one the Luanda FIR. Russian aircraft operating without transponders and deceiving ATC on their actual positions generally caused these near misses. The other cause is the non-understanding or lack of ATC. ICAO has been contacted several times about these practices were Russian operators can fly without ATC transponders within particular the Brazzaville FIR and have yet to get an answer from ICAO about this.
IATA wants to implement RVSM in the continent, which will make the airspace in the continent even more hazardous to fly in. Unless these countries, where RVSM will be implemented, have both upgraded equipment (IE radar coverage throughout their entire FIR) and qualified personnel to operate and understand this equipment, I cannot see how RVSM can be implemented in a safe manner.
ATC within Africa has mostly been unreliable and certainly very dangerous; I think the statistics speak for it. IATA In-Flight Broadcast Procedures (IFBP) on 126.9 Mhz has helped traffic throughout the continent where no radar coverage is available far better than the actual ATC over these countries, however it is an IATA procedure and not a mandatory procedure. As experience has shown us, most non IATA operators do not broadcast as per IFBP nor listen out on this frequency.
What are your thoughts????
Just thought it would be a good topic!!!
Subject: Final implementation for RVSM, in APIRG
IATA has set the final implementation for RVSM, in APIRG, by September 25th 2008. The documents I have received however, do not mention which part or which airway structure will be considered RVSM. Could you kindly specify the RVSM airspace, in particular Africa mainland itself?
As far as implementing RVSM in the African continent, Airlines should strongly oppose such implementation, especially for the sake of Air Safety, which cannot be guaranteed in the continent as it is of now, let alone when RVSM will be in effect, mainly due to the lack of radar and skilled ATC controllers.
Many Airlines have had several air proximity’s in the last three years in Africa, which at least 20 where in the Brazzaville FIR and one the Luanda FIR. Russian aircraft operating without transponders and deceiving ATC on their actual positions generally caused these near misses. The other cause is the non-understanding or lack of ATC. ICAO has been contacted several times about these practices were Russian operators can fly without ATC transponders within particular the Brazzaville FIR and have yet to get an answer from ICAO about this.
IATA wants to implement RVSM in the continent, which will make the airspace in the continent even more hazardous to fly in. Unless these countries, where RVSM will be implemented, have both upgraded equipment (IE radar coverage throughout their entire FIR) and qualified personnel to operate and understand this equipment, I cannot see how RVSM can be implemented in a safe manner.
ATC within Africa has mostly been unreliable and certainly very dangerous; I think the statistics speak for it. IATA In-Flight Broadcast Procedures (IFBP) on 126.9 Mhz has helped traffic throughout the continent where no radar coverage is available far better than the actual ATC over these countries, however it is an IATA procedure and not a mandatory procedure. As experience has shown us, most non IATA operators do not broadcast as per IFBP nor listen out on this frequency.
What are your thoughts????