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Minister with the portfolio, Mr. Robeson Benn told a media briefing: “In the first phase of our modernisation, the emphasis was on communications equipment and the data transfer equipment.
“We are now placing emphasis on upgrading air navigation systems to what is the latest in the world. The aim is to make our domestic airspace as safe as possible.”
Benn disclosed that the GCAA is installing new VHF omnidirectional radio range and Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR DME) at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri East Bank Demerara.
The short range radio navigation systems for aircraft enable pilots to determine their position and stay on course by receiving signals transmitted by fixed ground beacons, with a receiver unit in the aeroplane.
The VOR and DME units at Timehri will be transferred to Ogle Airport Inc., which is scheduled to gain Regional status within a month.
In this regard, GCAA Director General, Mr. Zulficar Mohamed said both the new VOR DME systems for CJIA and the one to be put in place at Ogle should be commissioned in August.
He said GCAA is also upgrading surveillance equipment for search and rescue operations “if push comes to shove.”
Signed regulations
Minister Benn revealed that he had, last week, signed regulations which demand that all aircraft operating in Guyana’s airspace should be fitted with spot trackers.
This mechanism will enable operators in the control tower to keep track of an aircraft flight at certain intervals, for example, every ten minutes and this will enable operators to know what a plane is doing in the airspace and if there is need for search and rescue operations and where the exercise should start.
“So I signed that last week and most of the operators already have it in place. Those who do not have to ensure that they attach the spot trackers as mandated by the regulations,” Benn insisted.
He added: “With respect to search and rescue, we have beefed up the capability. We have a search and rescue centre and we have a willing and responsive aviation community and we have protocols and procedures which are internationally verifiable in place.”
He said, too, that the GCAA has the support of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Air Wing, which has three operating helicopters that would lend and have lent support.
Benn said the GCAA is happy to note that there are more helicopters coming into the country and at least two amphibious planes (seaplanes) which could be called upon to do things with search and rescue.
He pointed out that Guyana still has an important geostrategic position with respect to aviation in this part of the world and the government is bent on making full use of the opportunities inherent in that.
Benn said, with respect to aviation, it is the intention of government to “push the envelope” to get more flights, for example, from South America; to look at direct flights to Africa etc! Rather than round about ones which take four times as much time.
