All Posts in "Aviation"

By Favour Nnabugwu

International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) has said Nigeria and 12 other African countries owing proceeds from the sale of foreign tickets to the tune of $516 million as Nigeria alone owes of $53 million.

Others African states are Zimbabwe $160 million; Eritrea $79 million; Algeria $54 million; Ethiopia $52 million; Sudan $45 million; Libya $27 million; XAF Zone $27 million; Angola $9 million; Mozambique $6 million; Burundi $3 million and Zambia $1 million. 

The Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East (AME), Mr. Muhammed Albakri made this known at its 76th Annual General Meeting initially scheduled in June in Amsterdam, was held on 24 November 2020 as a virtual event, sponsored by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

He said Nigeria is not the only country with trapped funds but fourth among 12 others with similar issues

Albakri explained that foreign airlines operating into Nigeria are having difficulties repatriating the fund back to their operational base.

He said, “IATA has been at the forefront of the campaign, soliciting governments’ support for the aviation industry in order to salvage the situation.”

The IATA’s disclosure is an indication that the airlines could not access foreign exchange (forex) by operators due to COVID-19 pandemic, as most countries are struggling economically with its attendant effect on global airline industry.

International airlines are owed $824 million globally and $516 million out of $824 million in blocked funds is in Africa. With the IATA revelation, it means the rest of the world has $308 million of the blocked funds.

Patoma Admin by — December 4, 2020 in Aviation 0
Sirika mourns Ex-NCAA DG, Captain Mukhtar Usman’s death

Minister of Aviation , Senator Hadi Sirika has described the death of the immediate past Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Mukhtar Usman as a monumental loss to the aviation industry.

Sirika said that “Although death is a journey on which everyone must embark at his own appointed time, Usman’s own came at a time the industry needed all capable hands to be on deck to reposition it, considering the depth to which it had descended as a result of the global pandemic”.

Captain Muhtar Usman, he said, would be remembered for his contributions to the sector as a “Pilot, Air accident investigator, industry regulator spanning his time at the defunct Nigeria Airways, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and most recently, at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) “.

The Minister also commiserated with the aviation family on the loss “Of a thoroughbred professional who distinguished himself in his chosen field “, the family he has left behind and prays for the repose of his soul”.

The late Director General has since been buried in Kaduna , Kaduna State according to Islamic rites.

Patoma Admin by — December 2, 2020 in Aviation 0

Five countries have contributed to 84 percent of deaths in the region and they are South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Cameroon in Sub-Saharan Africa

South Africa tops the list of cumulative deaths with 21,439 (68 percent), followed by Ethiopia 1,701 (5.4 percent), Kenya 1,445 (4.67 percent), Nigeria 1,173 (3.7 percent), and Cameroon 462 (1.5 percent).

There are cumulative confirmed cases of 1,411,393 in Sub-Saharan Africa, according COVID-19 daily update report as of November 28th, 2020

According to the report, South Africa tops the list with a cumulative confirmed case of 785,153 (55.6 percent), followed by Ethiopia 109,247 (7.7 percent), Kenya 82,605 (5.9 percent), Nigeria 67,330 (4.8 percent), and Ghana 51,075 (3.6 percent).

A total of confirmed cases in Africa 2,137,871 and deaths of 51,248, CFR (Case fatality rate) of 2.4 percent however, there are 55 countries in Africa out of which 46 countries are from the sub-Saharan African region.

Out of the growing number, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana top the list with a total of 1,095,410 confirmed cases, representing 77.6 percent whilst the other 41 member-countries of the sub-region contributed 22.4 percent.

Out of the growing number, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana top the list with a total of 1,095,410 confirmed cases, representing 77.6 percent whilst the other 41 member-countries of the sub-region contributed 22.4 percent.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are cumulative confirmed cases of 1,411,393 and deaths of 31,342, CFR of 2.2 percent. The Sub-Saharan Africa cumulative confirmed cases and deaths represent 66 percent and 61.2 percent of entire Africa’s figure respectively.

Chad with 6.1 percent topped the list on CFR, followed by Liberia with 5.2 percent and Sao Tome & Principe 4.8 percent with the least coming from Eritrea 0 percent followed by Burundi 0.1percent

The least in the cumulative confirmed case comes from Eritrea with 577 followed by Burundi 684 as well as in the least cumulative death of 0 for Eritrea and 1 for Burundi.

Patoma Admin by — December 2, 2020 in Aviation 0

As part of preparations for the commissioning of the newly completed, world-class, brand new international terminal at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, Management of the Federal Airrportsports Authority (FAAN), last week inspected facilities at the airport.

The delegation, which was led by the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Authority, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu also had a team from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on the tour.

The Management of the Authority also commenced a 10 day facility tour of the nation’s 23 airports yesterday.

The tour is aimed at assessing the infrastructural needs of the airports, while also evaluating their preparations for the annual surge in passenger traffic usually occasioned by the yuletide season, as well as the level of compliance with covid-19 protocols at the airports.

At the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, yesterday, the MD/CE also used the opportunity to address members of staff at the airport.

He assured them that Management will continue to prioritize staff welfare and improve on their conditions of service. He enjoined them to continue to discharge their duties with the highest level of professionalism and dedication.

The team, which also included the Authority’s Directors of Finance, Mrs. Nike Aboderin; Engineering Services, Engr. Salisu Nurudeen Daura; Commercial and Business Development, Mr. Sadiku Abdulkadir Rafindadi; Airport Security Services, Rtd. Group Captain Usman Abubakar Sadiq; Airport Operations, Capt. Mukthar Muye; Human Resources, Mr. Norris Anozie; and Legal Adviser, Dr. Clifford Omozeighan will be proceeding to Bauchi, Kaduna, Gombe and Maiduguri airports, before taking another batch of airports.

Patoma Admin by — December 1, 2020 in Aviation 0

Qatar Air has commenced its inaugural flight to Abuja, Nigeria with the first Nigerian female Boeing 787 pilot, Adeola Ogunmola Sowemimo.

This was disclosed on Friday by the Director-General, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri, via her official Twitter handle

She tweeted, “Today, Qatar Air operated its inaugural flight to Abuja, Nigeria. And our own Adeola Ogunmola Sowemimo was on the right seat as she assisted Captain Khan Sameer Ali. Adeola is the first Nigerian female Boeing 787 Pilot and the first Nigerian female Pilot to fly for Qatar Airways.”

Sowemimo, who graduated in 2011 from the US-based Sunrise Aviation Academy and started her aviation career there, became the first Nigerian female pilot to work for Qatar Airways in the Middle East — a region which is challenging for women hoping to become pilots.

She is also the first female Nigerian to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for Qatar Airways and the first Nigerian female pilot to fly the Boeing 767 Aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean, which puts her in the same league with Kenya’s Captain Irene Koki and Ethiopia’s Captain Amsale Gulau.

Patoma Admin by — November 27, 2020 in Aviation 0

Nigeria Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, yesterday released three final accident and serious incident reports and two Safety Bulletins.

The Bureau also issued 16 Safety Recommendations that can help in preventing similar accidents or serious incidents from reoccurring in the future.

The Bureau released reports on the serious incident involving a Gulfstream G-IV aircraft owned and operated by Skybird Air Ltd with registration marks 5N-BOD which occurred at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on 12th September, 2018.

It also released the final report on the Serious Incident involving a Boeing 747-200 aircraft owned and operated by Kabo Air Ltd with nationality and registration marks 5N-JRM which occurred at Sultan Abubakar Airport, Sokoto (DNSO), Sokoto State on 4th October, 2013.

AIB also released the report on the Serious Incident involving a B737-500 aircraft owned and operated by Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Ltd with nationality and registration marks 5N-BLG, which occurred on Runway 18R, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on 9th April, 2016.

On the Gulf stream accident , the report said the causal factor was the “delayed response by the crew to recognize that the ground spoilers and thrust reversers were locked out led to the runway overrun”.

It further said the contributory factor was “the delayed deployment of ground spoilers which led to the flight crew’s problems in stopping the airplane within the remaining available runway length.

AIB also recommended that SkyBird Air Limited should ensure that all their cabin crew are adequately and properly type rated on specific aircraft to be flown by a cabin crew member in accordance with the Operations Manual.

It sdded that “SkyBird Air Limited should ensure that all flight release documents are duly signed by the commander of the flight before departure and appropriate copies kept on board the flight”.

“Inappropriate visual approach profile at night with no vertical guidance” was the causal factor of the Kabo Air aircraft crash according to the released bureau report. It also said the contributory factors are the “Unserviceable Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) on Runway 26 and the Decision to land on the non-precision runway 26 at night”

For the Aero Contractors aircraft crash, the Bureau said the causal factor is the “Excessive rudder application by the crew after touchdown”. It also said the contributory factors are; “Reduced visibility due to heavy rain on touchdown and the decision to continue approach in an unfavourable weather condition with crosswind component of 090˚ /15kt”.

Three Safety Recommendations were made to avoid future occurrence. They are : “ Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited should lay more emphasis during flight crew simulator trainings, on the effects of excessive rudder application at high speeds during landing roll, particularly on wet/contaminated runways. Secondly, “ Aero Contractors’ management should sensitise their crew members on the necessity of reporting notifiable occurrences”, amongst others.

Patoma Admin by — November 26, 2020 in Aviation 0
Another 3 aircraft received at NCAT – Sirika

The Nigerian government has acquired another three new aircrafts for Nigeria College of Aviation Technology Nigeria (NCAT) making a total of six new aircrafts.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed this on his Twitter handle two hours ago

According to him, “Another batch of 3 training aircraft for our training school in Zaria has just been received. Good training and proficiency is sure guarantee for safety. Thank you for the support”

The Minister said there was no better aviation safety than having well trained, proficient aviators.

According to him, training will now be more efficient, faster and cheaper.
“Our roadmap is yielding good result. We appreciate your support, ” he added

NCAT was designed to be a training centre for Nigerian and African pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers and navigation aid technicians.

It subsequently created a flying school, air traffic services and communications school and aeronautical electronics and telecommunications school to meet its objectives.

In the late 1970s, it began giving specialised training courses in instrument landing systems, jet simulation, airline transport and VHF omnidirectional range

Patoma Admin by — November 25, 2020 in Aviation 0

By admin

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, said it had completed the calibration of all Instrument Landing Systems, ILS and other navigation facilities in 15 airports across the country.

Director of Operations , NAMA, Mr. Mathew Lawrence Pwajok stated that the calibration of all the facilities started on the 7th of October and ended on the 31st of October.

Pwajok also gave the assurance that the embarrassing situation where flights were being diverted to neighbouring countries experienced in the country last year and early 2020 due to the harmattan haze at the Lagos airport had been addressed.

According to him, “The new Nigerian calibration aircraft 5N CAA was used for the exercise which had saved lots of funds for the agency”

He further explained that with the installation and calibration of the landing aids, aircraft can have access to all airports at anytime especially the International airports opened for flight operations and others yet to be opened.

“At the moment, we have installed new navigational facilities in the following airports Port Harcourt we have a new DVOR, a dopplar VOR, we have also a new ILS CAT 2, we installed a new DVOR in Jos and a new ILS CAT 2. In Maiduguri, we installed DVOR and ILS CAT 2 and all calibrated also in the last calibration successfully. In Enugu, we have a new ILS CAT 2 installed this year and calibrated successfully.”

“In Benin, we have ILS CAT 2 installed and we are currently installing another ILS on the other runway in Benin CAT 2 brand new and we also DVOR that is on ground and the installations are going on as we speak.”

“All to enhance aircraft access to the airport and landing at any time. Even currently we are installing ILS CAT 2 in Akure, done ILS in Kano CAT 2 and a doppler VOR also in Kano all calibrated successfully. At the moment, we have an ILS system a new one in Minna and a DVOR awaiting installation, they are all on ground few work has been done it is just to install the equipment.”

On flight diversions experienced last year, the NAMA Director of Operations, assured that this is now history as the current landing equipment currently in Lagos ” both on ground and satellite, are tested, reliable, accurate and confirmed, there would be no diversions”.

“In the event you can’t use the ground equipment you can also use the satellite based systems for navigation, so both ground navigation and satellites navigation have been calibrated, tested, confirm, very reliable, very accurate. I can assure you fully we will not have such embarrassing situation again.”

He sai, “Yes, I can give you full assurance, number one, the two international airports that are opened for International flights, Abuja and Lagos, the ILS systems CAT 3 has been successfully calibrated with no restrictions, no limitations for both Abuja and Lagos”.

Patoma Admin by — November 19, 2020 in Aviation 0

The Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, on Wednesday cleared the Boering’s 737 Max to fly passengers again after 20 months the aircraft giant stemed from two crashes of its top-selling plane that killed 346 people.

FAA is a US department of Transportation as the Administrator Steve Dickson after ungrounding the plane said a repeat of the conditions in both crashes is now “impossible” thanks to design and training changes

The fallout from the crashes has engulfed Boeing for more than two years, drawing criticism about design flaws’ roles in the crashes and on how the Chicago-based company marketed the plane, touting its simple training procedures, which would save airlines money.

The crashes and the grounding also raised scrutiny on the FAA, long the world’s gold standard of aviation, and raising questions about whether it ceded too much power in the certification process to Boeing before it approved the planes in 2017.

“We will never forget the lives lost in the two tragic accidents that led to the decision to suspend operations,” Boeing’s CEO David Calhoun said in a statement. “These events and the lessons we have learned as a result have reshaped our company and further focused our attention on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.”

The end of the 20-month flight ban also gives Boeing the chance to start handing over the roughly 450 Max jetliners it has produced but has been unable to deliver to customers after regulators ordered airlines to stop flying them in March 2019. Boeing shares were up about 3% in morning trading.

Boeing has a backlog of more than 3,000 other Boeing 737 Max planes, when stripping out orders that the manufacturer believes could be cancelled. That tally has declined as the lengthy grounding coupled with the coronavirus pandemic prompted customers to call off hundreds of orders.

Regulators grounded the Max in March 2019 after the second of two nearly new 737 Max planes crashed within five months of one another. The crashes prompted a lengthy safety review that was met with numerous delays, driving up losses and costs for Boeing.

For months after the crashes, Boeing and the FAA faced criticism from lawmakers and some air safety experts about the plane’s design and certification. Tensions over the grounding between Boeing and the FAA cost the former CEO his job. U.S. lawmakers are now advancing legislation that would strengthen the FAA’s oversight of new aircraft after it was criticized for being too lax on the new aircraft.

Investigations into the crashes and the Max’s development focused on an automated flight control system that was meant to prevent the aircraft from stalling. Pilots on both flights that crashed — Lion Air Flight 610 on Oct. 29, 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019 — struggled against the system after it was activated because of faulty sensor data.

Pilots weren’t informed about the system, and mentions of it had been removed from pilot manuals when they were delivered to airlines. A House investigation in September found regulatory, design and management problems as the jets were being developed led to the “preventable death” of everyone on board.

Boeing has made the system less aggressive and added more redundancies, among other changes over the past two years.

Airlines still have to train pilots and remove aircraft from storage, if they had 737 Maxes in their fleets at the time of the grounding.A

American Airlines is set to be the first U.S. airline to return the aircraft to commercial service at the end of December. The carrier on Wednesday said it plans to expand Max flights throughout January from its Miami hub.

United Airlines and Southwest Airlines executives have said they expect the planes to return to their schedules at some point next yea

Patoma Admin by — November 18, 2020 in Aviation 0

By admin

Ethiopian Airlines has taken delivery of two new wircrafts A350-900 to add to it’s fleet thus expanding businesses.

The company at the weekend took delivery of two of the 10 new Airbuses A350-900 it ordered in 2017, bringing the total number of its Airbus fleet to 16

The Chief Operating Officer, Mesfin Tasew stated that the addition v leatly shows that Ethiopian Airlines is founded on a strong vision, capacity to execute its vision even though it has similar challenges to other airlines.

According to him, “The airline has been operating A350-900 planes for the last four years”.

“Ethiopian is taking delivery of these aircraft at a time when the entire air transport industry is under a big challenge caused by Covid-19, he said”

He pointed out that Ethiopian had transported around five tons of humanitarian aid, medical supplies and IT equipment from France to Addis Ababa in partnership with Airbus Foundation and other European donors.

The humanitarian aid, medical supplies and equipment, were delivered to Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and a humanitarian organisation which runs a children’s hospital in Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, Health State Minister Seharela Abdullahi, said this kind of support is crucial in countries with poor infrastructure such as Ethiopia.Citing the critical role played by Ethiopian Airlines since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, she added, “I would like to thank Ethiopian Airlines for their tremendous support in the fight against Covid-19.

Patoma Admin by — November 9, 2020 in Aviation 0