– PM says drone technology also being considered

A project that will eventually see the country’s entire national airspace come under surveillance will soon get under way.The announcement was made yesterday by Chitranie Heeralall, Director General (ag) of the Civil Aviation Authority at the opening of an aviation conference.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said he aeronautical surveillance service will be done using ADS-B, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast, in which an airpcraft determines its position via staelletie navigation and periodically broadcasts it to control towers.

Other aircraft can also receive the information, allowing for situational awareness and allow self-separation.

“This technology will track aircraft that fly over our territory and will aid in Search and Rescue as it will provide a closer last-known position of aircraft that has the requisite on board equipment,” Nagamootoo said in declaring the aviation conference open.

“This project will continue until complete surveillance coverage of our airspace is accomplished,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that while the government has been reviewing the security sector, and during discussions with the relevant agencies of the United Nations, the use of drones was considered.

“This technology, which has come under critical focus in situations of conflicts, can be put to use for surveys, research, monitoring of our coastline, and other peaceful purposes, and must be pursued as we continue to advance aviation in Guyana,” the Prime Minister said.