Preparatory to the commencement of Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) Automation, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has embarked on the training of various categories of personnel in order to build adequate capacity needed for its deployment. Already, the first batch of six personnel have proceeded to Frankfurt, Germany for a three-week Train-the-Trainer Course on Map/Chart/e-AIP Publication spanning from 18th July to 5th August. The next batch of 12 trainees is billed to also undergo training in Germany between 15th August and 2nd September, 2016 ahead of the deployment of Aeronautical Fixed Telecom Network (AFTN)/ ATS Message Handling System (AMHS) in Lagos and Kano which will be networked to other airports in the country using the VSAT Network. In a statement, NAMA Ag. Managing Director, Engr. Emma Anasi stated that the above operator’s trainings to be conducted by Avitech GMBH at the company’s factory in Germany are critical components of the AIS Automation Project targeted at giving trainees the needed exposure to handle the complex situations associated with the project, stressing that upon their return, it is hoped that they will drive down the process by training others. It will be recalled that the NAMA boss at a recent AIS Day celebration in Lagos had expressed determination of the agency to ensure speedy completion of the AIS Automation project in view of the centrality of the project to the success of the ongoing global migration from Terrestrial Based Navigation to Satelite Based Navigation (PBN).
