....To Resolve Critical ICAO Safety Concerns

The Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) has taken significant strides toward resolving critical safety concerns raised in recent International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audits. The training, which was launched on Monday, October 7, 2024, at the Royal Ambassador Hotel in Joe Blow Town, Unification City, Margibi County, designed to address issues identified in the Air Navigation Service (ANS) area, particularly relating to Liberia’s instrument flight procedures.

During the opening of the training session, Hon. Julius Dennis, Director General of the LCAA, welcomed the participants, emphasizing the importance of the program. "As you all may be aware, one of the major significant safety concerns (SSCs) identified and highlighted in the recent International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP), and the Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) audit results was in the area of Air Navigation Services (ANS), specifically concerning instrument flight procedures," Dennis noted. 

He further explained that the procedures had been redesigned, reviewed, and certified by qualified experts and published in accordance with required protocols. 

He urged participants to pay close attention during the training, as its successful completion—along with validation from ICAO—would help alleviate the significant safety concerns (SSC) flagged in the audits.

Hon. Dennis also welcomed the international experts present, thanking them for their collaboration in supporting Liberia’s aviation sector. "We are always grateful for the collaboration with ICAO through the WCAF office," he said, acknowledging the ongoing partnership that has been instrumental in addressing these challenges.

PBN defines performance requirements for aircraft navigating on an ATS route, on a terminal or on an approach procedure. Those routes and procedures are composed of way-points which are expressed by WGS 84 coordinates rather than fixes expressed by radial/bearing and distance from ground navigation aids and permit the flexibility of point-to-point operations.

PBN can provide the means for flexible routes and terminal procedures, reduce aviation congestion, conserve fuel, protect the environment, reduce the impact of aircraft noise, improve safety and accessibility to challenging airports, and increase airspace capacity.

Daniel Johnson, Deputy Secretary General for Administrative Affairs of the Roberts Flight Information Mission, reiterated the importance of the PBN training, describing it as essential for Liberia’s shift from sensor-based to performance-based navigation systems. "This new concept is a game changer for all of us in air traffic management," Johnson stated. 

He highlighted that ICAO had flagged deficiencies in the PBN procedures as a significant safety concern, adding, "Once you have these procedures in place, you need to be trained; you cannot be an air traffic controller without understanding the PBN procedures."

The training also marks the culmination of a long process that began several years ago. Alexander Damiba, Manager for the African Flight Procedure Program (AFPP) at ICAO, recounted how, starting in 2018, ICAO had recommended that LCAA conduct a WGS 84 survey and revise its flight procedures. 

However, little progress was made until 2022, when an ICAO audit flagged safety concerns related to the Air Navigation Service (ANS) and its operational procedures. Since then, ICAO has worked closely with LCAA to prepare a corrective action plan and oversee the design and publication of the revised flight procedures.

"We hope that with the successful completion of this last step—the PBN concept of operations training—we will finally clear the SSC," Mr. Damiba said. He went on to explain that the training will cover both theoretical and practical applications of the PBN system, equipping air traffic controllers, management officers, and other stakeholders with the knowledge to operate the new system safely.

“One of the key advantages of performance-based navigation is its cost efficiency, “Mr. Damiba noted that, unlike conventional navigation systems, PBN does not require expensive calibration of equipment, an important factor for countries in Africa, where resources for aviation are often stretched thin.” With PBN, you don't need to spend money on calibration, and it's safer," he added.

The PBN training is a crucial milestone in Liberia’s efforts to improve its aviation safety standards, following a series of SSCs flagged by ICAO. Attorney Augustine C. Tamba, Deputy Director General for Technical Services at LCAA, acknowledged that the journey had been challenging. "We have been working through this process for some time now, especially with regards to the SSCs flagged during ICAO's audit," Mr. Tamba explained, adding that both approach procedures and the calibration of navigational aids had been issued. 

However, he expressed appreciation to the ongoing cooperation with ICAO and the Liberian government; the calibration issues were resolved, leaving only the final step of training air traffic controllers to use the newly designed approach procedures.

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Tamba underscored the importance of the training program, urging participants to take it seriously. "These are procedures you will likely use for the next five years," he said, emphasizing that the knowledge gained during the sessions would be critical to ensuring the safety of Liberia’s airspace.

As Liberia’s aviation sector moves closer to fully implementing performance-based navigation, stakeholders are optimistic that the country will soon be able to resolve the SSCs and enhance the safety and efficiency of its air traffic management system.

The PBN training is expected to provide long-term benefits to Liberia’s aviation infrastructure and set the stage for continued growth and safety in air travel, not only in Liberia but also across the Roberts Flight Information Region (FIR).