Air Traffic Services

Control of air traffic was almost unknown in 1944. Today, air traffic control, flight information and alerting services, which together comprise air traffic services, rank high among the indispensable ground support facilities which ensure the safety and efficient operation of air traffic throughout the world.

The prime objective of air traffic services, as defined in ICAO Annex 11, is to prevent collisions between aircraft, whether taxiing on the maneuvering area, taking off, landing, en route or in the holding pattern at the destination aerodrome.

Air Traffic’s goal is to find ways of expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic and of providing advice and information for the safe and efficient conduct of flights and alerting service for aircraft in distress. To meet these objectives, ICAO provisions call for the establishment of flight information centers and air traffic control units.

ICAO Responsibilities

Requirements

There is an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) obligation that Air Traffic Services are to be provided within ICAO Contracting States and their Territories. The Cayman Islands, being an Overseas Territory of the Unites Kingdom, has given the Cayman Islands Airports Authority the contracted responsibility of providing Air Traffic Services in the Cayman Islands’ airspace.

Under the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order, as amended, the Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for the regulatory safety oversight of the Air Traffic Services unit.

Regulatory Requirements

OTAR Part 172 Subpart B sets forth the documentation necessary for Air Traffic Services Approval.

OTARs

Required Documentation

Organisation Exposition

OTAR Part 172.51 (a) An applicant for the grant of an air traffic service approval shall provide the Governor with an acceptable exposition.

Manual of Air Traffic Services

OTAR Part 172.55 (a) An applicant for the grant of an air traffic service approval shall provide, for compliance by its personnel, a Manual of Air Traffic Services for the services listed in its exposition.

Visit the ASSI webiste to continue reading Part 172 Air Traffic Service Organisation Requirements: Subpart C – Approval Requirements 172.51 & 172.55.

Civil Aviation Authority

Airspace

Permission to carry out various activities within the Cayman Islands airspace must be obtained from the CAA prior to carrying out such operations. Some of the activities include, but are not limited to, balloon releases, laser/searchlight operations, some fireworks displays etc. Please refer to the applications for authorizations of balloon releases and laser/searchlight/fireworks operations.

Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands – Balloon Release Application

The CAA provides oversight and approvals for organisations desiring to carry out flight calibration services. The applicant must satisfy the Governor that the organisation making the request is competent to carry out such tasks. An exposition containing evidence of adequate flight checking will also be required.

Licensing

Oversight of the training and competence of Air Traffic Services personnel is an important aspect of the CAA role. The Civil Aviation Authority issues competent air traffic service personnel with licenses and ratings applicable to their job. The educational facility and training the individual receives must be authorized by the Authority. The applicant must satisfy the Governor that certain requirements are met before the license / certificate of competency is issued.

Audits

Checklists are used to conduct audits and inspections to evaluate the air traffic services level of regulatory compliance. Checklists consisting of various regulatory references and standards form the OTARs and ICAO annexes.