With Eastern Africa lacking it’s own satellite-based Augmentation system (SBAS), Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in partnership with other regional bodies such as the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), East African Community (EAC) and COMESA have embarked on the creation of a single satellite based module for Eastern Africa with an aim of phasing out and replacing the conventional ground based Air Navigation systems.
In a validation workshop that was held on Tuesday at Sheraton Hotel, Richard Ruhesi, the Director Air Navigation Civil Aviation Authority revealed that CAA has successfully implemented the Global Navigation Satellite systems procedures (GNSS) for Entebbe International Airport and the introduction of SBAS will go a long way in improving Air Navigation Services within the East African Region.
“Once the satellite-based system is adopted, it will be easier to put Aircrafts closer to each other which will enhance the use of flexible routes allowing Aircrafts to fly from point to point without necessarily going to the installations on the ground. With the satellite technology, it will be easy to create routes that cross Uganda without coming to Entebbe. The routes will enable direct landing, take-off and Navigation to Uganda without necessarily coming to where the Navigation systems are,” Ruhesi revealed.
He added;
The Satellite technology will enhance efficiency, accuracy and communication in the Aviation Industry and as a result Aircrafts will fly direct to Entebbe which hasn’t been possible in the past. In the past, all navigation was based in Entebbe and all routes would first come over an instrument on the ground, fly over the instrument to know where they are however with the satellite-based systems, the routes will depend on the satellites which are in the air. The Eastern Africa Satellite module will involve studies, implementation of systems, and method of evaluation and monitoring of the performance.
North Africa has implemented the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay service module (EGNOS), due to the proximity to Europe. In South Africa, the South African Air Navigation services worked with the European Union to develop a module which is now at the test phase.
In his key note address, Hon. Aggrey Bagiire, the State Minister for Transport revealed that the implementation of the SBAS technology in Eastern Africa is expected to enhance the region’s Air Transport system in a number of ways such as Increase runway capacity to handle more landings and departures, increased aerodrome accessibility as Airports become more easily accessed from anywhere in the world and enhances safety through ensuring stabilized approach path for flights.
