Civil Aviation Authority Stages Aircraft Maintenance Symposium

Twenty-one professionals at various levels within the aviation industry recently benefited from a quality systems symposium hosted by the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA).

JCAA Deputy Director General for Regulatory Affairs, Rohan Campbell, told JIS News that the event, held on Friday (November 8) at the Iberostar Resort in Montego Bay, was part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to improve and introduce new standards to players within the sector.

“This particular event… was focused on aircraft maintenance. Over the years, we would have noted feedback from our clients and also from information that we gathered from our inspections and dealings with our clients,” he noted.

“We recognise that it would serve them best if we collaborate and bring them together to have a discussion on quality systems that will bring everyone in line with a congruent understanding of the expectations as required by our civil aviation regulations,” he added.

The symposium included persons operating domestic carriers such as chief executive officers, maintenance engineers and quality assurance managers.

Most of the participants hold JCAA-issued aircraft maintenance engineers license. Mr. Campbell told JIS News that throughout the years the JCAA would have come across persons, who have already been trained in quality systems and quality management in aircraft maintenance.

He pointed out, however, that with constant amendments and improvements those persons would need to be updated on the changes.

“We (JCAA) are best placed to see these changes that are required based on environmental factors and changes in regulations. What we have done today is bring these persons together,” he told JIS News.

Mr. Campbell pointed out that the JCAA is tasked with enforcing the Civil Aviation Regulations, which require the licensing of operators and personnel performing safety-sensitive functions.

“Everything we do… is aimed at enabling the industry to perform, protecting what exists and enhance our ability to move to higher standards,” he added.

Mr. Campbell said that the JCAA conducts outreach seminars on an annual basis, which aid in improving standards as measured by international bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as well as local bodies.