THE US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continued their “Safe Skies for Africa” training series with their East African counterparts at the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCCA) training centre located at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam.

The training took place from November 9 to November 18, 2009.  The “Safe Skies” program is run by the FAA with a goal of helping African nations meet international aviation standards. 

According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy, the recent course focused on developing a Maintenance Personnel Certification Program and Air Traffic Quality Assurance Program for each country’s civil aviation authority.

The Safe Skies for Africa program is based on the premise that “Safe Skies” are a prerequisite for increased trade and investment and long-term economic development.  The safety, security, air navigation and capacity-building components complement U.S. government efforts to conclude open skies agreements with African countries and promote commercial partnerships between U.S. and African airlines. 

Specific goals of the Safe Skies and Program include: increasing the number of sub-Saharan African countries that meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards - based on Federal Aviation Administration assessments - improving airport security in the region; and improving regional air navigation services. 

Actions undertaken towards these goals, with the support of the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the World Bank, have significantly improved safety and security in Africa. 

The TCAA Director General, Margaret Munyagi ,expressed her commitment to the Safe Skies program when she spoke with course participants at the close of the program. Participants to the course came from Tanzanian, Kenyan and Ugandan civil aviation authorities.  FAA instructors included the Program Manager, Thomas Honeycutt, along with colleagues Stan Solo, Mary Nelson and Rusty Smith.

The FAA has provided “Safe Skies for Africa” training seminars for over ten years.  In 2009, the FAA has provided six training courses in East Africa, teaching more than 60 members of the African Civil Aviation Authority.  

This training seminar is assistance from the American people and is part of overall U.S. Government direct and multilateral assistance to Tanzania of more than 750 bn/- this fiscal year.