The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority Celebrates 25 Years

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2021 28 JAMAICA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY 25TH ANNIVERSARY F T 16 T HE JAMAICA Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) is a statu- tory organisation within the Ministry of Transport and Mining. Our main functions are: • To regulate Jamaica’s air transport industry to ensure its safe and or- derly operation and development; • To provide reliable and efficient air navigation services to support a safe, efficient and sustainable air transport sector. Through vibrant and effective lead- ership and oversight, the JCAA is also focused on ensuring: • The safe and orderly conduct of all aviation activities in Jamaica, as well as those conducted overseas by Jamaican operators; • Efficient and user responsive air navigation services to the national and international aviation communities; • Cooperation with other agencies in the facilitation, provision and regulation of a reliable and safe air transport system; • A conducive environment for the development and self-actualization of staff. Air transportation safety remains our foremost priority. Since the incorporation of the JCAA through the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act in 1995, the JCAA has built on the achievements of its predecessor agency, the Civil Aviation Department, to ensure that the industry operates in com- pliance with: • Jamaica’s Civil Aviation Act & Regulations; and • The Standards and Recommended Practices of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944). OUR LEADERSHIP The JCAA is headed by a director general and guided by a 12-member board. The oversight activities of the JCAA’s Board ensure: • The achievement of the JCAA’s mandate, including its indus- try safety, growth and efficiency objectives; • Accountability in the management of resources; • The implementation of adequate control, evaluation and reporting systems to meet corporate goals and performance targets. AIR NAVIGATION SERVICES The Air Navigation Services Division is responsible for the pro- vision of air traffic services (ATS); ATS training; quality assurance; aeronau- tical information services; obstacle evaluation & procedures develop- ment; aeronautical meteorology; aeronautical telecommunications and aeronautical search & rescue. The division is headed by a director, who is supported by managers, en- gineers and other technical officers. The Air Navigation Services Division ensures that Jamaica’s air traffic services, communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) and ATS procedures are: • Provided in accordance with inter- national standards; and • Are adequate for maintaining safety in Jamaica’s airspace and aerodromes. Training for personnel attached to theAirTrafficServicesandAeronautical Information Services Departments is provided by the Civil Aviation Authority Training Institute (CAATI). CAATI alsooffersair trafficcontrol train- ing courses to international clients in radar and non-radar procedures. AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION SERVICES The Aeronautical Information Services Department routinely compiles and disseminates aero- nautical information to flight op- erations personnel, as well as to other agencies – local and overseas – that are responsible for the dis- semination of flight information. This information is contained in notices to airmen, aeronautical information publications (AIPs), AIP supplements and aeronautical information circulars. METEOROLOGY The provision of aeronautical meteorology is delegated to the Meteorological Service Division of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation; and aeronauti- cal search & rescue to the Jamaica Defence Force Coastguard, as per memoranda of understanding with the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority. SAFETY AND SECURITY OVERSIGHT The Flight Safety Division was created within the Civil Aviation Authority to regulate flight opera- tions and to ensure the airworthiness and safety of aircraft in Jamaica. The Flight Safety Division is re- sponsible for regulatory activity related to: • Safety promotion; • The development of safety regu- lations, standards and inspection procedures; • The licensing of flight crew, aircraft maintenance engineers and air traf- fic controllers; • Certification and routine in- spection of aerodromes and air operators; • Passenger safety; • Aviation security, surveillance and enforcement; • Investigation of incidents and accidents. The division is staffed by: • A director; • Operations, airworthiness, security and cabin safety inspectors; • A dangerous goods specialist; • A licensing officer; • Support staff. Technical training is done inter- nally through formal and on-the-job training. Formal training for spe- cialty courses are facilitated through TransportCanada, theFederal Aviation Administration, International Air Transport Association, aircraft man- ufacturers and airline-sponsored training. Inspectors are trained on Airbus A340, A310, A300, A320/321, Boeing B-747, B-737, B-727, Douglas DC-8, DC-9,MD83, BombardierDHC8, SD360, DHC-6, Dornier Do228, Beech KingAir series, CessnaCitation, various light aircraft (including most Cessna, Beech and Piper singles and twins), andhelicopters, including theBell 206 and military helicopters. Operations personnel and airworthiness inspec- torshold type ratingson the transport category aircraft and remain current onmost types operated in Jamaica. Main roles and functions