The Civil Aviation Authority Training Institute (CAATI) was established in 1990 in response to a growing demand for qualified personnel to manage the Air Traffic Control Units in Jamaica ...
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QUALITY ASSURANCE |
Air Traffic Services (ATS) Quality Assurance is a dynamic process used to continually improve an Air Traffic Control system. The quality of the service is measured against such data as incidents, delays, employee and customer feedback. In addition there are intangible factors such as the willingness to function as a team, training and the actions taken to achieve the objective of zero ATS incidents.
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Due to the heightened awareness of air traffic service incidents and its relation to aviation safety, the Civil Aviation Authority established a Quality Assurance programme in 1997. The goal of the program is to maintain an ATS incident-free environment that delivers safe, orderly, and expeditious air traffic control service to the users of the system. A Quality Assurance Manual summarises the responsibility of every individual within the air traffic services operational environment. |
The Quality Assurance Programme focuses on identification and correction of deficiencies before they result in ATS incidents or accidents and works towards the continuous improvement of the ATS product. Proactive quality assurance strategies are an integral part of the programme and are implemented as Rules and Procedures for the appropriate situation or occurrence. The Civil Aviation Authority has also established Incident Investigation Panels and appointed a preliminary Investigation Officer in a bid to prevent ATS incidents and work towards improving the quality of Air Traffic Services within the Kingston Flight Information Region. |
This initiative complements the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices as well as the Civil Aviation Authority's Regulations.. |
ATS Quality Assurance programmes already established are:
- ATS refresher training
- Recordings monitor evaluations
- Quality assurance memos, handouts and guidance material
- Internal and national ATS unit evaluations
- Simulation training
- Aggressive resolution of ATS incidents
- Taking over watch-checklists
- Incentive recognition programs
- Promulgation of a Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management Manual
- Runway incursion prevention programs
- Rules and procedures for proficiency checks
- Rules and procedures for on the job training
- Staff /team meetings
- Familiarization flights
- Pilot/controller meetings.
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The first phase of the Quality Assurance program was the successful introduction of bi-annual mandatory proficiency checks (psychomotor) for all operational controllers. The Unit Chief must ensure that Proficiency standards are maintained as specified in the Rules and Procedures for Controller Proficiency Checks. These Proficiency Checks focus on identifying and correcting deficiencies in controllers before they result in incidents and accidents, provide continuous enhancement of technical proficiency and identify individual training requirements.
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Standardization of procedures and methods is essential in a service, which has international obligations and uses procedures involving more than one unit .The degree of standardization achieved is directly related to the proficiency with which individuals/units discharge their professional obligations . This determines the efficiency, effectiveness and how incident free, the service that is given to the users and the travelling public.
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ATS Evaluations are an integral part of Quality Assurance, and are necessary to determine whether the various elements within a quality assurance program are effective and suitable for achieving national and international objectives. ATS evaluations also provide objective evidence concerning the need for reduction, elimination and prevention of non-conformities. ATS Unit Evaluations are conducted bi-annually and as prescribed by the appropriate authority. It is the responsibility of all Unit Managers to develop their own specific procedures to implement quality assurance rules and procedures, so as to ensure success during evaluations.
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The need to ensure impartial, adequate and top level training within the Air Traffic Services, has always been of paramount interest to the Quality Assurance Unit. One method of ensuring that this goal is achieved to provide training guidelines for instructors. The Quality Assurance Manual has documented Rules and Procedures for On- the- Job-Training to facilitate this process.
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