The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority Celebrates 25 Years

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2021 26 JAMAICA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY 25TH ANNIVERSARY F T 14 J AMAICA HAS always had a vibrant civil aviation industry, with the first flight reported in the island on December 21, 1911. This occurred eight years after the world recorded its first pow- ered flight by the Wright Brothers. Nineteen years later, on December 3, 1930, the first commercial flight, the Pan-American Consolidated Commodore, a twin- engined fly- ing boat, landed in the Kingston Harbour. 1934 was also historic for the nation’s aviation industry when Dr Albert Forsythe and Charles C. Anderson (the godfathers of African-American aviation) arrived in Jamaica from Cuba. This was the first time a land plane was arriving in the island by air. JAMAICA’S RICH AVIATION HISTORY • December 21, 1911 – First re- ported flight in Jamaica by Jessee Seligman (8 years after the world recorded its first flight by the Wright brothers.) • December 3, 1930 – First com- mercial flight, Pan American Consol idated Commodore, twin- engine flying boat landed in Kingston Harbour from Miami bringing mail, not passengers to the island. • November 21, 1931 – Famous US aviator, Col Charles Lindberg, brought the inaugural Pan- American Sikorsky S-4 Clipper to Jamaica. • June 1930 – Caribbean Airways registered as a company. • December 10, 1930 – Caribbean Airways, first local airline, carried Jamaica’s first airmail. • 1934 – Another historic period for the nation’s aviation industry when Sir Albert Forsythe and Charles C. Anderson (the godfathers of African American aviation) arrived in Jamaica from Cuba. This was the first time a plane was arriving in the island. • 1947 – Establishment of the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) • 1948 – Establishment of the Kingston Area Control Centre (Kin ACC) now the Kingston Air Traffic Control Centre (KATCC). Also in the same year, the Palisadoes Airport (nowNorman Manley International) and the Montego Bay Airport (now Sangster International) were established. • 1949 – Hiring of local and interna- tional air traffic controllers • 1952 – Establishment of Wings Jamaica Ltd, Jamaica’s first pi- lot-training organisation by Carl and Earsley Barnett • January 31, 1960 – The BOAC Comet 4 jet arrived in Montego Bay • May 1, 1966 – Inaugural flight of Air Jamaica • 1967 – Work on Tinson Pen Aerodrome completed • April 1, 1969 – The newAir Jamaica began operations • 1970 – Training of air traffic con- trollers locally • May 16, 1972 – Official opening of the Norman Manley International Airport by Premier Norman Manley • 1974 – Renaming of the airports • 1990 – Reopening of the training institute • 1996 – Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority was established • September, 1997 – Jamaica re- ceived Category 1 status. Status was renewed in 2005 and remains to present. INTERESTING FACTS • Ten possibilities were exam- ined before the Palisadoes site was considered for Jamaica’s first airport. • Sites considered were: Bumper Hall; The War Department lands at Up Park Camp; and Harbour Head, a site on Deanery Road; the Norman Range lands, Mona; the Greenwich reclamation area, May Pen, Kingston Pen Lands and Kingston Race Course. AIRLINES WHICH OPERATED OUT OF PALISADOES: • Pan American • KLM. • Cubana • Avianca • BWIA • BOAC • Jamaica Air Transport Ltd. • British Caribbean Airways • Caribbean International Airways JETS: • The Constellation • BOAC double-decker StratoCruiser – New York to Montego Bay • The Britannia 312 turboprop or ‘Whispering Giant’ – London-New York-Jamaica • VC-10 • Boeing 707 • DC 8 HISTORY VISION To be recognised as a world-class civil aviation authority, integrally involved in the sustainable development of a safe and thriving global aviation community that supports and serves Jamaica. MISSION The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority’s mission is to ensure that the public is provided with a safe, reliable, efficient and user-friendly air transport system, being cognisant of the standards and recom- mended practices developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization. In carrying out its mission, the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority has a commitment to: • The safe and orderly development of civil aviation in Jamaica (ac- knowledging the Convention of International Civil Aviation); • Providing efficient and user-responsive air navigation services to the national and international community; • Cooperating with other agencies in the facilitation, provision, and regulation of a reliable and effective public air transport system; • Providing an appropriate environment for the growth, development and enhancement of professionalism of its staff. CORE VALUES •We will carry out the mandate of the JCAA with honesty, openness, impartiality, and reliability. • We will promote and support adherence to applicable environ- mental standards at all times. • We aim for excellence in the service we deliver and in our daily performance. • We will strive to exceed the expectations of our clients and cus- tomers at all times. Vision, Mission & Core Values