Implementation of Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM).
The ICAO delegated UAE GCAA with the mission of establishing the Middle East Central Monitoring Agency to monitor safety levels associated with aircraft lateral and vertical navigation performance in preparation for the implementation of Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) from 2000 to 1000 ft.
This important change was implemented on 27 Nov. 2003 throughout the Middle East Region. The GCAA has been spearheading this program since its inspection three years back, we have hosted regional task force meetings and seminars to ensure that all the safety requirements are met. Safety is being monitored for the entire region from the Middle East Central Monitoring Agency (MECMA) which is equipped, staffed and operated by the General Civil Aviation Authority. MECMA keeps a register of all aircraft and all operators worldwide who are certified for RVSM operations, and is performing the complex calculations necessary to check that safety margins are met. The safety requirements for RVSM are stringent and involve upgrading of aircraft altimetry systems, autopilots and maintenance procedures. Pilots and flight dispatchers need to be trained. Aircraft performance must be checked through a monitoring process and specifically certified for such operations. Airway design must be changed in certain areas, air traffic control systems upgraded and controllers retrained.
IATA Eagle Award 2003
General Civil Aviation Authority has won the international award of International Air Transport Association (IATA) for the year 2003 as the best air services provider in the world in 2002, being the first international accomplishment for the UAE in this field, noting that the UAE has been the only State in the Middle East Area to win this prize. Director General of the Authority received the award on behalf of the State from the Chairman of IATA during the Air Transport Summit held in Washington from June 1 – 3, 2003. The UAE has earned this award as a result of its achievements and efforts to develop the civil aviaiton industry on both local and international levels.
The UAE is A Member Of The Supreme Committee Of Hazardous Materials Experts In The International Civil Aviation Organization.
International Civil Aviation Organization has nominated the General Civil Aviation Authority to be a member in the Supreme Committee of Hazardous Materials Experts as of Aug.29, 2003. This membership shall grant the Authority the right to vote in the meetings of the International Committee on forwarding hazardous materials by air, which held its first meeting after the Authority's affiliation in Montreal, Canada on Oct. 27, 2003.
The selection was made based upon the advanced level the Authority has reached and the significant role it plays in the field of developing laws and regulations pertaining to hazardous materials operation and inspection. The UAE has been the only state selected for this Committee, which consists of fifteen (15) members from around the world.
FAA Gives UAE –GCAA IASA Rating of Category One
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration announced that the General Civil Aviation of the UAE complies with international safety standards and issued a Category 1 rating, as part of the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Program, this category 1 rating allows the national flag carries of the UAE to promote direct air carrier links between the two countries. Consequent to the audit findings, no restrictions will be placed on such bilateral air carrier operations.