The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is set to complete its global navigation satellite system (GNSS) project in Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries with the imminent publication of the GNSS procedures.
The programme was launched in 2000 with the aim of developing GNSS approach, landing and departure procedures at 26 airports in 14 countries in southern Africa. The project involved WGS-84 geodetic surveys of the 26 airports, the development of the procedures, flight verification and certification of them by the US Federal Aviation Administration, and training local staff to implement the procedures.
"We are in the final preparation stage to publish the procedures," says Trevor Fox, IATA's director of operations and infrastructure for the Africa-Indian Ocean (AFI) region. Publication is expected before the end of the year, he says, adding that the association is now working with airlines to implement GNSS operations.
The programme is part of IATA's efforts to move the AFI region to a satellite navigation environment. The project has been financed through IATA's Air Traffic Control Enhancement and Financing Service, which has financed many infrastructure improvement programmes in the region by acting as a clearing house for the collection of route charges.
Source: Flight International
