UN unit lauds CAAP training program

MANILA, Philippines - The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has received positive feedback from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of the United Nations on the operations of its training center.

Herve Tourun of the aviation safety training section of ICAO’s Air Navigational Bureau provided positive and promising feedback after assessing CAAP’s Civil Aviation Training Center (CATC).

Tourun said the objective of the assessment is to analyze and determine the capability of the assessed CATC before the country becomes an associate member and a full pledge member of ICAO Trainair Plus Program (TPP).

He told CAAP director general Lt. Gen. William Hotchkiss III that the official result would be released one week after the assessment.

The program is a cooperative system design to improve the safety and efficiency of air transport through the establishment and maintenance of high standards of training and competency for aviation personnel on a global basis.

It is open to all Civil Aviation Training Centers throughout the world, provided they have the capability to prepare or adapt course materials to ICAO standards.

Members of the program may adapt or develop training packages to an international methodological standard, established by Trainair Plus. As the materials are prepared using the same process and standards, all members of the program can easily use them.

Organizations seeking a Trainair Plus membership are responsible for developing and/or offering training that fully meets ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and adheres to the competency- based training requirements.

The ICAO Trainair Plus program allows training centers worldwide to access the different modules and courses that caters to the different needs in aviation. It also allows the members to become part of an interactive environment where they are able to develop programs, deliver services and provide feedback using an online website.

ICAO lifted the remaining safety concerns last February paving the way for the lifting of a ban imposed by the European Union in 2010 that prevented Philippine airlines from entering the European air space last July 10.

National flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), jointly owned by taipan John Gokongwei and diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), finally resumed direct flights to London after 15 years.

Aviation authorities are also confident of getting an upgrade from the US Federal Aviation Administration (US-FAA) as early as this week.

CAAP deputy director general Capt. John Andrews said he would quit his job if the agency fails to get an upgrade back to Category 1 after being downgraded to Category 2 status in 2008 for being non-compliant to ICAO SARPs on international civil aviation safety.