ATSEP for CNS/ATM infrastructure facilities

Summary

Mohammad Abu El-Khair, an aviation safety engineer, discusses the crucial role of engineers and technicians in securing Egypt’s airspace. He highlights the importance of their work in maintaining and developing air navigation systems, including a major project that upgraded the electrical infrastructure at Cairo's Air Navigation Center. The transcript also touches on the preparations for COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, where aviation professionals ensured reliable air traffic systems. With a focus on their technical expertise and international recognition, the speaker emphasizes how Egypt’s aviation safety engineers have contributed to global air navigation advancements.

Takeaways

• 😀 The importance of aviation safety in Egyptian airspace is emphasized, with engineers and technicians playing a crucial role in ensuring safe operations.
• 😀 The concept of airspace safety management (referred to as 'NSB') emerged around 20 to 30 years ago to address the sensitive nature of the aviation industry.
• 😀 Egyptian airspace safety relies on highly skilled professionals, including engineers and technicians, who ensure safe communication, navigation, and operational services.
• 😀 The role of these professionals is to maintain and develop robust infrastructure that supports navigation services, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of aircraft.
• 😀 The development of an uninterrupted and reliable electrical system at Cairo's Air Traffic Control Center (ATCC) is a significant success, enhancing the resilience of the system since 2017.
• 😀 The electrical and technical system upgrades at the Cairo ATCC allowed for the provision of continuous service without disruptions for over eight years, from 2017 onwards.
• 😀 Coordination between various stakeholders, including engineers, air traffic controllers, and governmental bodies, contributed to the success of key projects in airspace safety.
• 😀 The success story includes preparing for global events like COP27, where specialized systems were implemented to ensure smooth operations at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport.
• 😀 A key focus has been on upgrading backup systems, cooling systems, and ensuring high reliability for air navigation services, especially during large-scale events.
• 😀 Egyptian airspace safety professionals' work has led to international recognition, positioning Egypt as a leader in air navigation system reliability, with systems that are comparable to the top 10 worldwide.
• 😀 The team’s efforts and expertise have not only secured Egyptian airspace but also contributed to training and supporting neighboring countries, showcasing Egypt's capabilities in air traffic management.

Q & A

What is the primary role of safety officers in the Egyptian airspace?

Safety officers in the Egyptian airspace are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the air traffic systems by managing and overseeing navigation services, communication, radar systems, and other infrastructure related to air traffic management.

How has the concept of safety in Egyptian airspace evolved over time?

The concept of safety in Egyptian airspace has evolved significantly over the past 20-30 years, moving from a focus on critical industries to a specialized role for engineers and technicians in the air traffic management sector.

What is the role of engineers and technicians in ensuring the safety of Egyptian airspace?

Engineers and technicians play a key role by maintaining and improving the technical systems, ensuring reliable communication, navigation, and surveillance networks, and ensuring infrastructure is in place to support these systems for safe air traffic management.

What is the significance of the Cairo Air Traffic Control Center?

The Cairo Air Traffic Control Center is crucial for managing Egypt's airspace, including overseeing air traffic, communication, satellite stations, and maintaining seamless operations. It has been in operation since the early 1980s, providing continuous service without interruption.

How did the safety officers improve the electrical supply system at the Cairo Air Traffic Control Center?

The safety officers developed and upgraded the entire electrical and technical infrastructure that powers the navigation systems, ensuring uninterrupted power supply for over eight years, and continuously raising the system's reliability to meet global standards.

How does the Cairo Air Traffic Control Center align with global standards?

The Cairo Air Traffic Control Center upgraded its systems to meet Tier 4 international standards by developing and continuously improving its electrical and backup systems, ensuring no disruptions in service for air traffic controllers and flight operations.

What role did collaboration with other stakeholders play in the success of the Cairo Air Traffic Control system upgrade?

Collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including air traffic controllers, engineers, aviation officers, and government bodies, was crucial in the successful upgrade. Coordination between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Electricity helped ensure that all potential risks were accounted for and mitigated.

What is the significance of the successful network and system upgrades in the Egyptian air traffic sector?

The upgrades have positioned Egypt's air traffic management network as one of the most reliable in the region, improving safety, reducing delays, and ensuring operational continuity. These enhancements were also recognized by global aviation companies for their excellence.

How did the Egyptian air traffic management system prepare for the COP27 climate summit?

For the COP27 summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt prepared by upgrading the air navigation infrastructure at the local airport, ensuring continuous operations and high service quality for international flights, while also enhancing power systems and backups to meet global expectations.

What achievements in aviation safety and security does the Egyptian airspace team take pride in?

The Egyptian airspace team takes pride in their successful implementation of high-reliability systems, training engineers and technicians to global standards, and their ability to handle major international events like COP27 without any disruptions in service, showcasing their expertise in air traffic management.