The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has been entrusted with the task of establishing and operating the Middle East Central Monitoring Agency (Mecma), reported the Gulf News.
"Work is in progress and Mecma has already issued material for standardized reporting. The first data has been received from the states," said Mohammed Khonji, deputy regional director, Middle East office of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Meanwhile, the regional aviation task force has set November 27, 2003 as the target date to implement the Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) program, said the paper.
"This will facilitate cooperation with air traffic control (ATC) service providers on the Subcontinent and serve as a common goal for airlines and civil aviation authorities alike," said Sabri Said Al Busaidy, chairman of the third RVSM Task Force.
Implementation would mean that between 29,000 and 41,000 feet, a 2,000 feet vertical separation is maintained between aircraft while flying. After November 2003, vertical separation changes to 1,000 feet, leading to six extra flight levels, he explained.
"RVSM will lead to not only more capacity and fewer delays but will give more economical cruising levels to more flights, thereby increasing payload and reducing fuel burn. It will reduce controller workload and improve safety. For us, RVSM is not an option, it is a must," said Busaidy – Albawaba.com
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