Execution
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) says it has met with stakeholders in Ghana’s aviation industry on the implementation of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) new Global Reporting Format for Runway Surface Conditions (GRF).
According to the GCAA, the GRF is set to establish a new methodology for assessing and reporting runway surface conditions to improve take-off and landing performance.
GCAA states that runway safety related accidents, notably runway excursions, remain aviation’s number one safety risk category. Among the top contributing factors are poor braking action due to contaminated runways, combined with shortfalls in the accuracy and timeliness of runway surface conditions.
Ing. Charles Kraikue, GCAA Director-General, notes: “Runway safety is our sector’s topmost priority and remains the basic guiding principle under which all players in the sector must conduct our operations. As part of GCAA’s GRF implementation plan, personnel of the Authority enrolled in awareness symposia, seminars and webinars put together by ICAO and other industry partners.”
Mr. Franklin Gyamera, GCAA Acting Director of Safety Regulation, states that Ghana had successfully incorporated the necessary amendments based on the new GRF, in addition to issuing an Advisory Circular as a guide.
“GCAA has taken steps to generate and sustain stakeholder awareness of the new GRF, leading to effective collaboration with these key players in the sector. The Authority has, consequently, monitored many successful simulation exercises conducted by Ghana Airports Company Limited on the new GRF in conjunction with Air Traffic Control and Aeronautical Information Services,” Mr. Gyamera states.