Air traffic control in ‘sure hands’

The National Weekender
AVIATION

By KELVIN JOE
AIR travel is made a lot safer, comfortable and faster through emerging modernisation and digital technology which has changed so much over recent years.
People choose to travel on planes and other aircraft because it is a more convenient mode of transport with access to improved navigation and communication networks and systems.
In recent years, remarkable development has taken place to improve and provide reliable navigation and communication services in the atmosphere (skies) above us that especially pilots and navigation teams on the ground can use each day to ensure air travelers could reach their destinations safely on time.
However, all communication going on between the ground and a pilot in the air is physically invisible. The development work on navigation, communication and traveling systems in Papua New Guinea has already improved the country’s capability to effectively monitor, control, direct and detect aircraft that use its airspace following NiuSky Pacific Limited’s (NSPL) modernisation programme carried out over the last five years.
NiuSky Pacific is the agency responsible for aircraft control and navigation in Papua New Guinea, which was formerly a function of the Civil Aviation Authority.
Jordan Imal, acting managing director of the NSPL revealed this at the 8th PNG Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) and security annual conference held in Port Moresby on Nov 29 and 30, 2023.
The two-day event under the theme “Enhancing Stakeholder Collaboration, Leveraging Emerging Trends and Promoting Gender Equity” was described as an avenue to discuss and share strategies, policies, knowledge and experiences, and exchange ideas to improve the operational systems of the CASA’s organisations in the country.
The annual conference provides opportunity for CASA members such as Rural Airstrips Agency (RAA), National Airport Corporation and NSPL among others to discuss issues, challenges and achievement each organisation encountered and to work together in addressing those challenges.
CASA members could also identify possible solutions to those challenges and ensure that they work together to continue improving and move forward to meet their individual development goals and that of the CASA as a whole.
The event was attended by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Walther Schnaubelt, CASA director and chief executive officer (CEO) Benedict Oraka and Transport and Infrastructure Secretary Roy Mumu among other CEOs, directors, managers, partners and stakeholders who had encouraged for teamwork to improve safety and security within CASA.
At the occasion, Imal described the travelling navigation systems in PNG airspace as one of the most developed systems that met International Civil Aviation Origination (ICAO) requirements and standards.
He said NSPL was not like other CASA’s member organisations such as NAC and RAA where people could see and assess the physical work and appreciate the development or improvement taking place like development on airport terminals and runways.

NiuSky Pacific Limited acting managing director Jordan Imal (left), Henry Kigolena, a long-serving member of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Cassa) with his director and chief executive officer Benedict Igo Oraka n Port Moresby last year. – Nationalpic by LIBERT SANGUNDI

The NSPL director compared the organisation’s communication and navigation systems in PNG airspace to the features of a high standard road infrastructure with railways, double-lane highways, roundabouts, routes and navigation signs that are convenient, safer and suitable for commuters’ use.
“In terms of improvement and development, unfortunately we cannot see with our eyes what has been going on up in the sky,” Imal added.
“Our operations are more technical and you cannot physically see them.
“In layman’s term, we have six to eight lane roads, roundabouts, directions and signs in our airspace for air travelers and pilots to use domestically and internationally. We have state-of-the-art navigation and communication system established in our airspace.”
Previously known as PNG Air Services Limited, NSPL is responsible to manage air traffic operating within PNG airspace, extending from e sea level up to 60,000 feet.
It provides air navigation services to domestic and international air operators who use PNG airspace, with the vision to be a leading air navigation service provider within the region and beyond.
As such it now monitorsboth domestic and international routes in PNG’s airspace through effective navigation and communication systems that improve security and safety and restore confidence to international and regional air travels.
Pilots and air travelers have been enjoying their flights and arrive safely at their destinations without worrying about the likely incident or threat.
Imal said the development and improvement was following the modernisation programme that Asia-Pacific had mostly embarked on since 2014.
He said the organisation had completed the installation of a range of communication, navigation, surveillance (CNS) facilities and air traffic management (ATM) systems.
He also highlighted that NSPL had undergone massive transformation through a comprehensive modernisation programme involving the modernising and upgrading of every aspect of its operations as the organisation have the latest and state of art communication, navigation systems and air traffic preparedness systems.
NSPL was one of the the first three air navigation service providers (ANSP) in the Asia Pacific region and amongst the first 10 globally to use space-based surveillance technology for operational purposes.
According to the organisation, the newly acquired CNS/ATM technologies are compliant with the ICAO standards and recommended best practices that placing PNG on par with the best ANSP’s in the region and globally.
“More significant was that the new state-of-the-art ATM technology included a satellite-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADSB) system where the technology has greatly enhanced the company’s aeronautical surveillance capability.
“The ADSB system was provided and supported by Aireon, a United States-based aviation surveillance technology company where the surveillance technology has enabled the organisation to be one of the few pioneering ANSPs in the region to introduce and use space based surveillance technology to manage air traffic in PNG’s designated air space.
“The transformation and modernising of CNS/ATM systems have significantly improved the standard and quality of its ATM service, enabling its air traffic controllers (ATC) to deliver much improved and enhanced air traffic services to its aviation stakeholders.
“The high level of service NSPL now provide demonstrated the quality and sophistication of the advanced aviation technology and systems that it had adopted through its modernisation programme and more importantly improved NSPL compliance with the global industry standards.”
Imal concluded that the modernisation programme covered most of the major airports in the country with the installations of radio and antenna systems with backups among other setups and improvements.
He thanked the global partners to support and contribute in improving NSPL’s air travel and navigation system over the years.
The NSPL is now a proud air navigation and communication services provider to serve air travelers using the PNG airspace with courage and confidence through its modernisation programme.