Forty Air Traffic Controllers are to proceed for training this month on Performance Based Navigation (PBN) in Cairo, Egypt.

This, it was revealed, is part of efforts by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to enhance capacity of its critical manpower in operations.

NAMA Managing Director, Mr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, said the training is part of the wider effort of management in ensuring the continuous training and retraining of personnel to keep pace with dynamics of evolving technology.

Represented by the Acting Director of Operations, Mr Edward Ogedegbe, at this year’s Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) Annual General Meeting (AGM), which held in Kano, Abdulsalam stated that another five Air Traffic Controllers have been billed for Wind Shear Equipment training in Germany by December, 2014.

He said that with the Mode ‘S’ Data link and Controller/Pilot Data Link (CPDLC) almost ready for takeoff, much of verbal communication between pilots and control tower would give way to digital/data communication, leading to less fatigue and increased flight precision.

Abdulsalam also expressed delight that management’s effort in staff training has boosted the area radar control service introduced last year with more Air Traffic Controllers, successfully obtaining ratings from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA).

Similarly, the NAMA boss also stated that the collective and harmonious collaboration of the Army, Navy, Air Force and NAMA in airspace coordination will guarantee the safety and security of both civil and military users. He spoke at the 2014 Airspace Management Seminar held at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State.

He noted that since the airspace is a single resource, the flexibility of its usage by both civil and military will make for more flight efficiency and economic air navigation.

He said NAMA is committed to providing technical and operational support for the planned deployment of military radars in support of national security as well as ensuring the interoperability of civil/military components of TRACON.

Air Commodore Bello Garba of Command Evaluation, Headquarters Command, Kaduna, called for ‘’more concerted liaison between NAMA and the Nigerian Air Force at both strategic and unit levels to ensure effective airspace coordination.

•Adapted from a NATION report.

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