Strategic Objective — Safety — New and Emerging Activities

New and Emerging Activities

iMPLEMENT

ICAO’s iMPLEMENT was launched at the ICAO World Aviation Forum (IWAF) in November. It is designed to help Transport Ministers and Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCAs):

•	assess the current status of aviation in their countries;
•	identify the best solutions for improving or maintaining the aviation capability of the State;
•	evaluate the needs of the aviation system in term of finances, human resources and infrastructure, and identify and access resources through existing national, regional or global mechanisms; and
•	showcase the real added value of aviation and the socio-economic returns of investing in aviation.

iMPLEMENT supports data-driven decision-making processes which provide high-level State aviation information. It facilitates the enhancement of a State’s implementation rate by helping prioritize activities and provides a business case for the economic and social impact of aviation development.

Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP)

Since the launch of Phase II of NGAP at the second NGAP Symposium (December 2014), ICAO and its partners have been working to implement various related activities, including the development of workshops for air traffic control officers and air traffic safety electronics personnel, and several outreach initiatives. ICAO’s activities in this area, now the ICAO NGAP programme, will be incorporated into the Global Plans for Safety and Air Navigation, as well as the ICAO Business Plan and Work Programme.

The seventh meeting of the NGAP Task Force was held on 1-2 December. The meeting’s objective was to review the progress and status of the Task Force’s work and discuss its transition to an ICAO NGAP Programme.

The meeting discussed the development of an operational plan for the programme, including an updated work programme to be supported by the NGAP Working Groups and partner organizations, and featured a presentation by a young woman pilot from Afghanistan and member of the NGAP Task Force, Ms. Shaesta Waiz, who in 2016 will be attempting a round-the-world solo flight supporting STEM education access for women and youth.

Cargo Safety — New Restrictions on the Transport of Lithium Batteries by Air

Additional restrictions on the transport of lithium ion batteries as cargo on aircraft were developed for inclusion in the 2015-2016 Edition of the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Doc 9284) through an addendum.

The restrictions were recommended by the 25th meeting of the Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) and approved by the Council through an accelerated process established for safety-related amendments. They address risks associated with the potential for damaged or improperly packaged, handled, designed or manufactured lithium batteries to overheat and lead to a fire and the potential for a fire involving high-density lithium batteries to overwhelm aircraft cargo compartment fire protection systems.

The restrictions aim to reduce the energy potential of batteries loaded in a cargo compartment by requiring that all lithium ion batteries be shipped at a reduced state of charge. The restrictions also aim to eliminate the potential for unlimited packages of small lithium batteries not subject to full regulation being offered for transport in one consignment.

Cybersafety

Cybersafety, as distinguished from the further-reaching subject of ‘cybersecurity’, is a new term that covers the subjects of airworthiness and future air traffic management (ATM) systems that are at risk from any cyber threats whether malicious or otherwise.

Preliminary investigation by the ICAO Secretariat has identified a need for related deterrent legislation to enable prosecution of offenders anywhere in the world. This is being addressed through the Aviation Security Panel in the first instance.

With regard to airworthiness aspects, all major aircraft manufacturers have countermeasures in place, and the possible need for Standards and Recommended Practices will be examined in the near future. Likewise, regarding ATM systems, the foremost aviation States are addressing cybersafety issues through ATM improvement programmes. Best practices will be promoted to ICAO through the ATM-related expert panels, such as the Air Traffic Management Requirements and Performance Panel (ATMRPP), the Communications Panel (CP), and the Information Management Panel (IMP).

Frameworks for the sharing of related information are now in place in North America and in development in Europe, with other regions expected to follow suit in due course. ICAO is also looking at the feasibility of some technical protocols for future ATM systems which may reduce the likelihood of successful cyber threats and reduce total system costs.