Flight return as precautionary landing

By Dele Ore 

When an aircraft enroute for Abuja after having just taken–off from Lagos made a precautionary landing back in Lagos, a local newspaper had it reported that: “Pilot averts crash, lands plane with one engine”.

This report was alarmist, uninformed and capable of eroding public confidence in the aviation despite every effort being made to ensure flight safety. We need to set the records straight for proper education of a segment of the media as well and reassuring the flying public.

First and foremost we commend the professionalism and airmanship exhibited by the crew of aircraft. The capable handling of the situation makes the crew members to be an asset to the industry.

When a single engine aircraft has lost the only engine, then there could cause for concern but if one engine fails on a twin-engine aircraft there should be no alarm if the crew members have been well trained.

An air return could be as a result of any one or combination of the following as highlighted in Part 5:5:1:4 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2006 captioned “Reporting of failures, malfunctions and defects which may occur after the aircraft must have been airborne.

Any of the conditions could be responsible for an air-return, which must be reported. Those conditions include but not limited to the followings:-

(a) Owners or operators of aircraft over 5,700 kg maximum take-off weight or of any aircraft used in a commercial operation shall report to the Authority any failures, malfunctions, or defects that result in at least the following—

*Fires during flight and whether the related fire-warning system properly operated;

* Fires during flight not protected by a related fire-warning system;

* False fire warning during flight;

* An engine exhaust system that causes damage during flight to the engine, adjacent      structure, equipment, or components;

* An aircraft component that causes accumulation or circulation of smoke, vapour, or toxic or noxious fumes in the crew compartment or passenger cabin during flight;

* Engine shutdown during flight because of flameout;

*Engine shutdown during flight when external damage to the engine or aircraft structure occurs;

*Engine shutdown during flight due to foreign object ingestion or icing;

* Shutdown during flight of more than one engine;

* A propeller feathering malfunction or inability of the system to control over speed during flight;

* A fuel or fuel-dumping system failure that affects fuel flow or causes hazardous leakage during flight;

*An unintended landing gear extension or retraction, or opening or closing of landing gear doors during flight;

* Brake system components failure that results in loss of brake actuating force when the aircraft is in motion on the ground.

 Ore is President, Aviation Round Table

Dana Air: Insurers are meeting obligations

 

The management of Dana Air is aware of allegations that its Insurers have refused to pay compensation to the families of victims of the tragic accident of June 3, 2012, and we wish to state that these allegations are not true.

 

The true position is that 84 families have received advance payments of 30,000 USD and payment of final settlement to families who have produced the requisite Letters of Administration (and Letter of Guardianship in the case of minors) has commenced, following authentification of the document by the Probate Registry.

 

Our insurers are continuing to deal with all other claims, including all who incurred losses on ground at Iju-Ishaga, in accordance with the applicable law.

 

We would like to thank the Lagos State Government for the cooperation and assistance rendered so far. With the waiver of statutory fees and fast-track system, families will have the requisite documents expeditiously.

 

Dana Air shares in the pain of all the affected families and we wish to reiterate the readiness of our insurers to settle all claims in accordance with the law, at the earliest opportunity.0

Let’s stop the bickering and attract investors

By Olumide Ohunayo

The challenges before the industry are numerous and surmountable. We must be willing and also accept that we have not been able to connect the most important link, which is foreign direct investment. Their carriers increase gauge, entry points and frequency into the country, while also withdrawing flights from some sister countries. The Chinese gave us loans with accompanying contractors, yet they went to Ghana and in conjunction with Ghanaian investors set up a regional carrier with affiliation to a major Chinese carrier; is it not surprising that with our CAT 1 certification we cannot attract investors? Yet Tanzania a CAT 3 country got Omanis to invest $100m despite having a pot holed ridden runway, the Philippines, a CAT 2 country got $1billion. The investment link that is missing may be connected if we begin to address issues highlighted below:

SAFETY – This is critical and measured internationally. We cannot and should not politicise it. What we need to do is support, inform and assist institutions involved in setting the standard. The House Committees should be on the same page with the industry. The insistence on sacking the DG and the withdrawal of DANA licence without cogent and sustainable critical safety reasons is distasteful. If the honourable members really love the electorate, they should know DANA is pivotal to the lowering of domestic fares and improved customer services. The unfortunate crash is not enough to withdraw their licence. The honourable members should rather present before us an independent body to check anti-competitive practices that will reduce monopolistic tendencies, economic bulling and exploitation in price and fares.

MAA - The military will take care of their own and do not need interference from bloody civilians is the normal military parlance. This will only hold if they return to their core competence of protecting our territorial integrity and act as back up to civil aviation in emergency situations, rather than competing by operating charter flights at a fee. This will not augur well for the seamless development and cooperation needed to grow the industry. The military can go further in certifying its operations by bringing all non-civil operation under a joint body, to be known as Military Aviation Authority.

GENERAL AVIATION – It is cheering news to hear the Ministry is reviewing laws that will govern the operations of corporate jets and non-schedule operators.  This category of operators are the cash cows of civil aviation that are generally taxed, made to pay high tariff for services rendered and do not enjoy palliatives or subsidies designed for schedule operators. Also, hangars maintaining or housing them should also pay requisite charges and taxes-VAT inclusive.

PALLIATIVES&THE NEW AIRCRAFTS – I am not surprised at the incoherent statement emanating from the AON on the issue of the 30 aircraft being purchased by the government. It is a risky and wasteful venture that will increase public debt. The founder of Easy Jet, a very profitable airline is presently dumping his shares in the airline, because the Board of Directors is considering buying new aircrafts. Even Communist China and Russia did not do it for their highly regulated industry; rather they allowed the banks to nurture leasing companies that dealt with the airlines commercially, same with the Egyptians. The Central Bank should be left alone to handle it since the ministry will not get loans to finance it. Let the airline CEO’s tell Dr. Sanusi to give them  aircrafts with a verifiable business plan and impeccable financial statement they will find out they do not need other agencies to help them out.

The other palliatives with respect to waivers on spares and other aircraft parts that need to be gazette, should be done quickly by the government, while beneficiaries should be schedule operators with passenger aircraft and equivalent AOC, all non-schedule operators and non-schedule aircraft in any airline should be excluded.

SKYPOWER CATERING - The organisation is marooned, they are at home with rental services rather than providing quality catering services for the industry. Its misfortune nurtured ASL and other catering organisations, and even encouraged NAF top brass to take control of its assets. Staff salaries are owed, while they hallucinate as civil servants. The organisation should not be liquidated, rather reputable catering organisations should be invited to take it over.

FAAN and CONCESSIONNAIRES - The agency has described unfavourable concessions as 32 pound gorillas that must be put in the cage. Sadly, it’s Commercial and Legal Departments combined is the 64 pound gorilla that must be put in a cage that will free them from political interference, while ensuring that core professionals get to the top. Upgrading the Legal Department to a directorate and injection of politicians and Ministry marabouts will not reverse its concurrent problem with concessionaires. The same problem will confront the new terminals if adequate plans are not made to maintain, sustain and certify them by looking beyond the agency.

ACCENTURE REPORT and THE NATIONAL CARRIER - from the report, which aligns with agitations of industry watchers, it clearly indicates that consolidation backed by public listing after a critical financial audit is the panacea for our troubled carriers. Consolidation will be regulated, while efforts will be geared toward refining aviation fuel in the country, building a befitting national hangar and most importantly lowering airport and other charges.

We need to attract credible foreign investors, while also building a critical mass in our carriers that will reflect Nigerian, not owned by Mr. A or B, having a new national carrier will shackle and compound the problems of all airlines and the new one, because it will be given protection that will reduce competition on the home front, increase fares and strengthen the foreign competitors, we should rather invest in the consolidated industry

 

Olumide Ohunayo was former Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Cabin Crews

Naija7wonders proposes Aviation Museum for disused planes

    

 
Mr Ikechi Uko
 
The project Director of the seven wonders of Nigeria and Travel expert Mr. Ikechi. Uko is proposing to build an Aviation Musuem for Nigeria using the abandoned aircraft as exhibits.

Mr Uko has offered that Naija 7wonders be allowed to develop an Aviation Museum in Nigeria that will warehouse some of the disused aircraft.  

According to him 'Nigeria needs an Aviation Museum with a hall of fame that will inform, preserve and promote Aviation history of Nigeria, the players and the incidents that have shaped the industry over the years. 

'This Museum will fit  properly with the transformation agenda of the Government of leaving lasting legacies on the ground. It is part of the ideals set out by the seven wonders of Nigeria project which is to present Nigeria in a new light to grow National pride and generate Tourism income. 

'An Aviation museum the first of it's kind in this region will attract tourism traffic and will educate and empower a new generation of Aviators. Instead of destroying the aircraft they can be put to beneficial use in educating the youths and drawing tourism income. Some of the aircraft are out of production and can be treated as vintage crafts if well packaged,' he stated. 

He said that 'Naija7wonders is proposing to work with the authorities to make this project a success in the shortest possible time using time tested methods. As a travel promoter I do know that with the cooperation of stakeholders the Musuem will be up and running within a calendar year. 

 Naija 7 wonders is the search for the unique wonders of Nigeria a project started with over 50 judges including journalists, tour operators and other professionals. After 24months seven unique sites were chosen as the seven wonders of Nigeria. 

These sites include Obudu mountain resort, Sukur landscape in Adamawa, Oke Idanre in Ondo state, Benin moat, Kano walls, Osun groove and National war Museum, Umuahia. 

Mr Uko said that 'the second phase of the project is the differentiation and promotion of the sites and an Aviation Museum sits properly in that list considering the impact Aviation has had on Nigeria's history.'