TCAA's Sh9 billion deal to improve flight safety

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) yesterday signed a contract with M/s Indra Avitech worth Є3.29 million (Sh9 billion) to design, supply, install, test, integrate and commission an Aeronautical Information Management System (AIMS).

The contract focuses on TCAA’s contribution to improving flight safety in Tanzanian airspace through the provision of the right, safety-critical, high-quality aeronautical information in the right place and at the right time for stakeholders.

TCCA director general Hamza Johari told journalists shortly after inking the pact that the project would be implemented for 18 months, commencing after the contract had been signed.

“This is part of the AIM section’s deliberate plan to modernise its aeronautical information system (AIS) by providing dynamic and integrated management of aeronautical information through the provision and exchange of quality-assured digital aeronautical data,” he said.

He said the provision and exchange of data will be done in collaboration with all parties, thus ensuring the safety, regularity, and efficiency of national and international air navigation.

“The AIMS project implementation objectives are to enhance an AIM system by improving data accuracy, accessibility, and efficiency, as well as aligning with Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBU) requirements and compliance with national and international standards,” said Mr Johari.

He said the AIM system software shall consist of an integrated aeronautical information system that includes a centralised aeronautical database in Aeronautical Information Exchange Model (AIXM) version 5, which is the latest version available on the market.

The software allows aeronautical data to be stored and transferred to specialised software for automated production of aeronautical products in compliance with steps stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), according to Mr Johari.

He said flight procedure design software is also included in the project implementation.

Indra Avitech l, project, and sales manager Simon Masike said that through the project, TCAA will move from a manual to an automated system.

“TCAA stakeholders should expect timely provision of high-quality aeronautical information in digital format and web-based flight planning system,” Mr Johari noted.