NAMA Switches to Satellite Navigation

Nigeria Air space Management Agency (NAMA) plans to switch from ground-based air navigation to satellite system soon meaning that NAMA will require fewer air traffic controllers to assist aircraft in flight.

Migration to satellite-based navigation, according to experts, is expected to reduce the work load of some air navigation personnel, including air traffic controllers, as an aircraft fit with the modern technology is supposed to fly without any guidance by air traffic controllers until it gets close to the airport of arrival.

Mr. Supo Atobatele, general manager, Public Affairs said that to achieve the implementation of the performance-based navigation, NAMA last year urged airline operators and pilots to key into the satellite system.

Atobatele said that “Recently, we met with the pilots in the industry and airline operators, just to inform them about the development in NAMA, particularly the satellite-based navigation system also known as performance-based navigational system. As you know, some weeks ago, we migrated from the terrestrial air navigation system to the satellite-based navigation system.

“So, we need to tell them what we have on ground and what they should do. Particularly, for you to operate within the sphere of the PBN system, your aircraft must be compliance, it must carry the prerequisite gadgets. So, what we are trying to do is to just inform them.”

He, however, stressed that any moment, NAMA would announce the commencement of the satellite system, adding that the airlines that would operate on the system are only those whose aircraft are compliance with the PBN system.

“Anytime from now, we will announce a specific date for the commencement of the PBN system in Nigeria, particularly for the major air routes and airports, such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcort, and Kano”

“As you are aware, the test flight has been done by Emirates Airline as the first to carry out the approach test on Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS, in Lagos while the KLM recorded same in Kano. As at today, South Africa Airways has equally joined. They did it on their own and it was 100 per cent successful. So, we are urging all the local airlines to join too,” Atobatele said.