Group of Experts on Aviation Safety, Security and Assistance (GEASA)

Meeting Summary

Foreword

The meeting was rotationally chaired by Dr. Fernando Sanclemente Alzate, Director General of Civil Aviation for Colombia; by Col. Carlos Montealegre Deputy Director General of Civil Aviation for Colombia; by Debra Normoyle, Director General of Security and Emergency Preparedness for Canada and by Robert Shuter, Director of International Aviation and Technical Programs for Canada.

Attendance

Thirty-one participants from 9 countries (Colombia, Canada, Costa Rica, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Panama, the United States of America and Venezuela), the International Civil Aviation Organization’s  (ICAO) South American Office and the Central American Centre of Aviation Safety (COCESNA) attended the meeting.

Presentations by the attendees

1- Review of the agenda

A number of changes were made to the presentation order. Oscar Quesada of ICAO gave a presentation on Walter Amaro’s behalf. A discussion on the upcoming 2007 ICAO Assembly was added to the agenda.

2- Update on GEASSA Funding issues by Bob Shuter, Director of International Aviation and Technical Programs / Transport Canada & Poppy Vineberg, Senior Advisor, International Aviation and Technical Programs / Transport

The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) seems the most likely source of financing for GEASSA projects; the IADB has requested that the GEASSA act as an independent organization to validate their aviation safety and security programs.  The GEASSA Secretariat agreed.

Urged States to start lobbying their Finance Ministers to encourage Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to include aviation in their country assistance strategies. It was also noted that the GEASSA member countries had to be involved in the funding requests to the MDBs. The Ministers of Finance must lead the request to the MDBs. Although the GEASSA will assist countries seeking funding from MDBs, the main impetus still has to come from the individual countries.

3- ICAO 2007 Assembly – General Discussion

There was an attempt to develop a common ‘Americas’ position at the next ICAO Assembly. The two most contentious issues at the next ICAO Assembly are likely to be the Restructuring of ICAO and the Environment. ICAO needs to streamline operations. A proposal was made to develop an ‘Americas’ block’ to address the European Union Emissions Trading scheme.

Participants explored ways to increase regional cooperation in order to help countries in an attempt to maximize resources. One of the potential areas for increased cooperation is training. Members proposed the creation of a training network whereby countries would inform each other of upcoming courses so that other states could benefit.

Another area for potential coordination that was highlighted is the importance of sharing data on foreign inspection to cut down on the amount of audits being conducted, which was linked to the tenets of Transparency and the sharing of safety information.

4- Update on Regional Activities and Workshops and Seminars and ICAO Technical Cooperation Activities in CAR/SAM Regions by Oscar Quesada, ICAO South America Chief of Technical Cooperation

Mr. Quesada’s presentation outlined ICAO’s activities and projects in the South American region, the work plan of the Regular Program of ICAO, Caribbean/South American Regional Planning and Implementation Group (GREPECAS) activities, and the ICAO Technical Cooperation Programme. 

Questions/ Comments: The need for a transition process was highlighted as was the need for States to determine the timelines with their industries. The importance of allowing industry to comment before the LARs were implemented was also pointed out as was the need to create implementation teams.

5- Research Center or Accident investigation in Latin America by Colonel (ret) Luis German Paez, Secretary of Air Safety, Special Administrative Unit / Civil Aviation – Colombia 

Col. Paez presented the view that a need exists in the region to optimize accident investigation and to institute accident investigation schemes. He presented a project on the creation of a Center that would establish regional standards in the field of accident investigations and institute accident reduction programs by applying appropriate risk mitigation techniques.

Questions/Comments: This project is ready to go ahead within a year.

6- Dominican Republic Project on an Integrated Security Management System by Osiris Ramirez Ponce de Leon

This pilot project seeks to develop an integrated Security Management System in the Sate of the Dominican Republic in a 12-month timeline. This project would unfold in 4 phases and involve Air Traffic Control, Aviation security, Training end education, communications, firefighting and certification.

Questions/ Comments: This project was supported by the GEASSA and could be of interest to the Canadian Counter-terrorism and Capacity Building project. The GEASSA will issue letters of intention to the GEASSA membership to support these projects for funding and assist in presenting these projects to the IADB. 

7- Flow of Information in Aviation Security by Dr. Nubia Ramirez - Administrative Unit / Civil Aviation – Colombia

Dr. Sanchez’resentation centered on establishing strategies to combat terrorism through the exchange of information in order to increase coordination in the planning and response to terrorism attempts by inter alia increasing the exchange of procedures and best practices. The key is cooperation among all States involved in Aviation Security. In order to enhance cooperation, information must be shared in an efficient manner.  The Network will ultimately link international aviation security contacts within each of the 189 ICAO Member States. The presenters asked for the support of this project and the permission to present it to GREPECAS.

Questions/ Comments: Concerns were raised about the security levels of such a network. Sophisticated encryption tolls would ensure the highest level of security. The project received GEASSA support to proceed to the next steps. GEASSA strongly encourages its members to send their contact information to Nubia to begin the creation of the network.

8- ICAO- Canada Security awareness training by Debra Normoyle, Director General, Security and Emergency Preparedness –Transport Canada

Canada’s objective was to respond to the need for technical assistance and to improve aviation security in the Caribbean and South American region. Aviation security Awareness training packages were developed and managed by ICAO. Phase 1 of the project is completed. Phase 2 will be delivered between 2007 and 2009.Transport Canada had a coordination role and will supply trainers as required. Canada’s financial contribution, through its Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s Counter-Terrorism and Capacity Building Programme, granted $CDN 479,000 in order to pay for the cost of trainers. Under phase 2, a total of 44 training activities will be delivered.

Questions/ Comments: The need for Quality Assurance training and Human Factors in Aviation Security/Facilitation (AVSEC/FAL) training were highlighted. The current program is already established and will be delivered accordingly. Canada agreed to consider organising separate training on AVSEC/FAL.

9- Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs) by Dr. Nubia Ramirez - Administrative Unit / Civil Aviation – Colombia

The importance of travel documents is vital in order to confirm the traveller’s identity and nationality. ICAO has adopted a global, harmonized blueprint for the integration of biometric identification information into passports (e-Passports) and it is important to help countries in order to increase the use of biometric-enhanced MRTDs and the inter-operability of such documents within the Western Hemisphere. The Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) has expressed an interest in this project.

Questions/ Comments: The project received GEASSA support to proceed to the next steps. The project is ready to begin as soon as funding is identified.  

10- ICAO/PAIGH Cooperation Project for the production of aeronautical charts presented by Jorge Fernandez Deputy Director of Civil Aviation Costa Rica

Costa Rica would like to reactivate the project on aeronautical charts and is asking the GEASSA to  sponsor Meetings of the Aeronautical Charts Committee of the Pan-American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH)/GREPECAS Task Force

And to consider financial support for the PAIGH/ICAO Project for the production of Aeronautical Charts in those States who are not members of the PAIGH.

Questions/ Comments: The project received GEASSA support to proceed to the next steps. It was proposed to form groups of countries to study the issue to share the costs of mapping. Also suggested was the formation of cooperative agreements with geographic and cartographic societies. Costa Rica will lead the project.

11- Transport Canada Aviation Security Projects by Debra Normoyle, Director General, Security and Emergency Preparedness –Transport Canada

Safety and Security are inter-connected. Safety Management Systems and Security Management Systems build on each other. We can work together to develop new ideas and adopt more strategic approaches. Canada is planning future assessment trips to Latin America and the Caribbean to assess the Aviation security and to build capacity in aviation security in the region. The assessment trips will identify gaps and areas where we can focus our efforts.  GEASSA is the perfect vehicle to focus aviation security capacity building. Canada is trying to establish a framework to identify needs and priorities. GEASSA is looking to develop a concrete action plan to address aviation security initiatives and to avoid the duplication of efforts.

Questions/ Comments: The use of ICAO audit reports to identify needs and priorities in the region was suggested. Four areas were identified as needs in the region: security, technology, training and infrastructure.

12- Future direction of the GEASSA on Aviation Security – open discussion

The need for a more formalised structure to the GEASSA was identified. The GEASSA will issue letters of support to countries that had presented projects which had received GEASSA approval. The need to increase GEASSA’s involvement regionally was made. The GEASSA Secretariat will strive to organize GEASSA meetings before or after other aviation meetings to attract a broader audience. The GREPECAS or LACAC were identified as ideal meetings for this purpose. The GEASSA needs to identify priority areas so that we can identify projects and initiatives to support these priority areas while attempting to avoid duplication. Canada will develop guidance material to assist countries in their funding searches based on information provided by the United States. Canada will work with ICAO to identify initiatives and priority areas that will benefit the group.

13- Accident Conditions in Latin America by Dr. Sergio Paris Chief of Projects Administrative Unit / Civil Aviation – Colombia

This presentation identified the sources of accidents in the region by presenting statistical data related to accident and incident investigations and research and sought to identify trends by type of activity such as general aviation, helicopters, etc. The presentation highlighted the need for increased cooperation and information sharing among the GEASSA countries in support of ICAO’s standards and its strategic plan in order to increase the level of awareness about the status of accident conditions in the region.

14- Language Proficiency requirements for Air traffic Controllers by Dr. Sergio Paris Chief of Projects Administrative Unit / Civil Aviation – Colombia

As of November 2003 amendments to ICAO Annex 1 –Personnel Licensing, Annex 6 – Operation for Aircraft, Annex 10 –Aeronautical Telecommunications and Annex 11 – Air Traffic Services became applicable. While the amendments became applicable in 2003, the majority of provisions come into effect in 2008, meaning that Air traffic Controllers must demonstrate their skills to speak and to understand English in a level specified by ICAO. Given the significant implications of this requirement, the presenter is urging States to examine the issue Regionally in order to meet the ICAO provisions.

15- Language Proficiency requirements training for Air traffic Controllers presented by the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has hired an expert to evaluate the level of proficiency in English in the Dominican Republic. They indicated that a cultural shift will be necessary in the region in order to comply with the ICAO requirements. The GEASSA is invited to note the work developed by the Dominican Republic on this subject and encourages the countries in the region to develop similar projects to meet the ICAO requirements.

Questions/ Comments: The creation of a standardized test to be used by Latin American Civil Aviation authorities was proposed. States and organisations had different techniques for dealing with language testing and training. Countries committed to the solutions they had developed with other countries and organisations to learn from best practices.

16- IATA’s Safety Strategy by Mauricio Moran, Manager Safety, Operations & Infrastructure Latin America & Caribbean – IATA

IATA’s presentation revolved around the need to adopt a more formal approach to safety with specific quantitative objectives. It also highlighted the value of working together to address safety and adopting a multi-disciplinary approach to increasing efficiency. 

17- Safety Management Systems Implementation by Jacqueline Booth-Bourdeau, Chief Technical and National Programs/ Transport Canada

The presentation outlined the background of SMS in Canada, an introduction to the concepts and principles related to SMS, and the need to understand the Regulations and Standards. It also demonstrated how to implement an SMS and the pitfalls of SMS implementation in Canada. Finally, it provided an assessment of the effectiveness of the implementation process in Canada.

18- Open Discussion on Safety Management Systems Implementation

SMS is the response to countries having to respond to limited resources yet increased workload. Anew surveillance methodology was developed to make inspections more focused by checking for compliance and efficiency when conducting an assessment of the SMS put in place by the organisation. The cornerstone of SMS is the notion of continuous improvement. ICAO was requested to create a map of risks for the Latin American region since it has unique characteristics

19- Open discussion on the Future direction of the GEASSA on Aviation Safety

This discussion focused on the importance of securing the support of the Minister of Finance since they will lead the funding request to the MDBs. GEASSA member countries must lobby for the inclusion of aviation safety and security in individual country assessment strategies within each bank to make project approval possible.

GEASSA members agreed to hold meeting every 6 months. Panama will host the next meeting and will assign a coordinator to work with Dr. Sergio Paris and Poppy Vineberg. Cartagena was selected as the host of every 2nd meeting. GEASSA members will have to be more proactive in proposing material and projects to share at the meetings in order to justify increasing the meeting frequency. GEASSA member countries will study the GEASSA website to suggest improvements and present their findings at the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned.