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Mission Statement
To regulate, plan and operate safe and efficient air navigation services in the UAE.
Air Navigation Services (ANS) is structured along standard organisational ICAO principles. The responsibilities include airspace design, provide safe and efficient air navigation service to the users of the UAE airspace.
The department is headed by the Director ANS and has five operational sections
Air Traffic Control (ATC)
Responsible for provision of en-route services, alerting service and flow control within the Emirates Flight Information Region (FIR).
• Provides Area Control service (ACC) round the clock.
• Includes ATC Officers and Assistants working in close co-ordination.
• Controls more than 1000 aircraft movements daily.
• Divided into sectors viz. North, South, East, West and Central.
• Equipped with state-of-the-art radar display screens and flight data processors.
• Has communication facilities using VHF and direct telephone lines with aircraft and adjoining ATC units respectively.
• The communication control panels are modern touch LCD screens.
Electronic Engineering (ENG)
Responsible for maintenance of the following equipment:
• Display systems in the Area Control Centre (ACC) and Emergency ACC
• Communications equipment.
• GCAA’s three off-site radar stations at Abu Dhabi Airport, Tarif and Sharjah.
Communications (COM)
Responsible for operation of the national AFTN/CIDIN communications centre at the ACC.
• Processes more than 2000 messages daily.
• Entry of flight plan data for the ACC.
• Archival and retrieval of flight plans for investigations, safety management and planning.
Aeronautical Information Services (AIS)
Responsible for all publications related to Aeronautical Information.
• Update the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) with permanent or long term information of airways, danger areas, radio navigation aids, airports, communications, meteorology and rules for the Emirates FIR.
• Design and update charts as required by ICAO.
• Publish Aeronautical Information Supplements.
• Publish Aeronautical Information Circulars.
• Issue NOTAM for the entire Emirates FIR.
• Maintain an up-to-date library containing AIPs of other states, major ICAO documents and State letters.
• Evaluate obstacles that may be a hazard to air traffic.
Operational Training (TRN)
Responsible for operational training of controllers, assistants, supervisors and instructors.
• Training is conducted by means of classroom, simulator and on-the-job.
• Training of newly recruited staff.
• Annual competency test for existing staff
• Continuation training for existing staff.
• Design and conduct courses for special cases
Additionally, ANS has two regulatory branches:
Safety & Regulations
Responsible for development of regulations for air traffic control.
• Ensure that requirements for issue of ATC licences are met.
• Investigation of incidents.
• Monitor and analyse trends in safety.
• Conduct safety audits of ATC units.
Aerodrome Regulations & Licensing
Responsible for development of regulations for licensing of international airports.
• Ensure that requirements for certification and operational approvals are met.
• Conducts safety audits of airports and their safety management systems.