Aeronautical Telecommunication Services2020-02-20T11:25:27-05:00

Aeronautical Telecommunication Services

Aeronautical Telecommunications Services is a technically complicated area of expertise responsible for both ground-to-ground and air-to- ground communications.  The Service is responsible for the installation, commissioning, flight checking (where appropriate) and on-going maintenance of all radios, navigation aids and other telecommunication equipment used by and in support of the air traffic and aeronautical information services as well as some elements of the meteorological function.

ICAO Responsibilities

As a signatory to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the UK and its Overseas Territories are obligated to provide Aeronautical Telecommunications Services in support of international air navigation with the nature and extent of the service required being identified in ICAO Annex 10. In the Cayman Islands, an ICAO compliant service is provided by a department of the Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA).

Regulatory Requirements

Annex 10 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation regulates the provision of an Aeronautical Telecommunications Services (TELS) used to facilitate the safety, regularity and efficiency of international air navigation.

Article 7(1) of The Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order 2013, AN(OT)O or (the Order) as amended, gives effect to the Convention requiring the Governor to ensure that the Annexes to the Convention are complied with. It follows that Article 7(1) of the Order requires that TELS be regulated under the requirements of Annex 10.

Furthermore, Article 153(1) of the Order prohibits the provision of an Aeronautical Telecommunications Services without an approval granted by the Governor. Based on the requirements of Article 7(1) this will only be forthcoming if the applicant can comply with Annex 10.

In addition, ASSI has published two Overseas Territories Aviation Requirements (OTAR) in relation to Aeronautical Telecommunications Services, OTAR 171 and OTAR 172. The former provides additional requirements regarding the provision of the service whilst the latter relates to the approval of organisations performing flight checks of navigation aids.

OTAR: Part 171 Aeronautical Telecommunication Services is the reference document containing requirements concerning aeronautical telecommunication services approval. The requirements of this OTAR cover aeronautical telecommunications services in relation to their performance, provision, maintenance and safety management.

OTAR: Part 172 Air Traffic Service Organisation Requirements: Subpart B – Approval of Air Traffic Control Services sets forth the documentation necessary for Air Traffic Services Approval.