iSTARS 4.0 Advisory Group

The objective of iSTARS 4.0 is to first improve transparency of the data and calculations used and second bring iSTARS to its next evolution to better serve its ever-growing user base.

As a result of this a governance model based on an advisory group has been established in order to improve transparency and representativity.

Each ICAO Regional Office has nominated one representative in the advisory group of iSTARS 4.0. Every advisory group member is:

  1. An Ambassador of iSTARS 4.0 within their Region;
  2. Able to represent the interest of their Region;
  3. Able to propose new developments and improvements of applications;
  4. Actively involved with iSTARS 4.0;
  5. Interested in improving iSTARS 4.0 applications and interface

Comments concerning the content of the site should be addressed to istars@icao.int

MEMBERS

Nevin Murad, Associate Analysis Officer, Chair of the Advisory Group – ICAO HQ

Ms. Murad is the Project Manager of iSTARS 4.0. She is passionate about Data and Data Science.

She is holding a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the Technical University of Sofia and a double major in Statistics & Mathematics and Economics from Concordia University.

Prior to joining the International Civil Aviation Organization, she worked for the Revenue Management department of Air Canada and for different international organizations.

Sonia Freitas, Regional Officer, Safety Implementation – ICAO WACAF

Ms. Sonia Freitas is responsible for supporting and promoting the implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP), Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP) and regional agreements on aviation safety and related matters in the Region.

She joined the Civil Aviation Authority of Cabo-Verde in 2000, and has worked as an airworthiness inspector, chief airworthiness department, Director of Flight Safety, and as State Safety Program Coordinator. Before joining ICAO, she has worked as Air Transport Officer for World food Program-UNHAS in Mali and DRC.

She holds an Aeronautical Engineering degree from Beira Interior University in Covilhã, Portugal, and has a specialized master's degree in Aeronautical Maintenance and Production from ENSICA in Toulouse, France.

Javier Puente, Regional Officer, Safety Implementation – ICAO SAM

Mr. Puente has an MBA in Project Management, a Post-graduate degree in Superior Education, and a Law Degree. He also holds a Commercial Pilot license, with Flight Instructor and Instrument rating.

Before joining ICAO, Mr. Puente served as Operations Specialist of the SRVSOP’s Technical Committee for 6 years, and was responsible for regulatory drafting, provision of technical assistance to States, and the development and provision of training on multiple safety-related areas.
Mr. Puente served as a Regional Manager at the Bolivia Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC), as an Accident Prevention Manager, and as a Senior Accident Investigator.

He was an Advisor to the CEO of a Regional Airline, and has provided several advisory related activities in regulatory compliance, safety management, and training, to most airlines, airports and training centers in Bolivia.

Eddian Mendez, Regional Officer, Air Traffic Management and Search and Rescue–ICAO NACC

Mr. Mendez is an aviation professional with over 20 years of experience in increasingly responsible positions in the provision, supervision and oversight of Air Navigation Services.

He started his aviation career as an Air Traffic Controller and was rated for tower, non-radar and RADAR ATC. After accumulating several years in the provision of ATC services, Mr. Méndez moved to the safety oversight part of the Civil Aviation Authority, working in the development of regulation and supervision of air navigation services. Subsequently, he was in charge of the accident and incident investigation analysis processes and the supervision of safety management systems, at the State level and from service providers.

Mr. Méndez is a computer science engineer with Masters degrees in Quality Management Systems and Public Administration.

Since 2017, Mr. Méndez works as Air Traffic Management and Search and Rescue Regional Officer for the ICAO North American, Central America and Caribbean Regional Office.

Susantha De Silva, Regional Officer, Safety Implementation – ICAO APAC

Mr. Susantha De Silva has gained about 22 years of Industry experience as an Air Traffic Controller, Pilot and Airport Manager.

He has started his carrier in Aviation as an ATC after obtaining a B.SC. Degree in Double Maths and Statistics from University of Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1982. Then he became an Airport Manager and obtained his Pilot license before Joining Sri Lankan Regulator as an Assistant Director for Personnel Licensing (Annex1) where he continued with the regulator for nearly 12 years until his early retirement as DDG Flight Safety Regulation (Annex 1,6,8, 18 &19). He also served as an Independent Accident Investigator (Annex 13) for Sri Lanka.

He joined ICAO APAC office as a Regional Officer – Safety Implementation in 2017 and obtained his credentials as an ICAO USOAP CMA – PEL Auditor and currently awaiting OJT as an OPS Auditor. He also is a ICAO GAT Instructor and a Virtual Instructor (VCI) as well. He also Has conducted about twenty Missions supporting Regional States in the implementation of safety CAPs and work as a member for GASP Study Group and GASOS Study Group and remain as the focal point for CCRD Safety Measures Implementation group and regional CART implementation group; ACCRPG.

Mohamed Chakib, Regional Officer, Safety Implementation – ICAO MID

Mr. Mohamed Chakib has more than 26 years’ experience in aviation industry. Currently, he is working for ICAO MID Office in providing and developing strategies advice and assistance to member States in the implementation of ICAO SARPs, which gave him a good grounding in how to position the States to adopt ICAO SARPs, and the challenges that they face and how to address them.

He has also worked for other two United Nations organizations. First, at United Nations Peace Keeping Missions, where he has managed aviation safety offices and provided strategic recommendations on the technical support needed by the Missions and the implementation of the aviation safety programs in line with the Mission’s mandate and the business plan. Secondly, he worked for WFP in Rome, served as a safety analysist, risk management officer, and provided strategic policy advices, technical support, and guidance where he also learned a lot from the humanitarian environment and the challenges they face. He also served at Royal Moroccan Air Forces..

Mr. Chakib graduated from Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia with a Master Degree in Air Transportation Management which gave him a sound understanding of the aviation business and enhanced his leadership skills..

Arkadii Merkulov, Regional Officer, Safety Implementation - ICAO EUR/NAT

From 2000 to 2007 worked for the Volga-Dnepr Group of companies. He worked his way from the Operations Control Center Manager to the Deputy Director of the Department of Management Technologies - Head of project management. From 2007 to 2010 he served as Deputy General Director for Quality in CJSC Sky Express (Russia's first low-cost carrier), was responsible for the development and implementation of the airline quality management system standards and IATA Operational Safety (IOSA) requirements. From 2010 to 2015, being Assistant Director, Safety for International Air Transport Association (IATA) he was responsible for the implementation of safety enhancement initiatives in CIS region. Since June 2015 he was appointed as Regional Officer, Safety for International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Graduated from Ulyanovsk State University (formerly a branch of Moscow State University) with the Master of Science degree in applied mathematics (2000) and a linguist (2003). In 2005 he received PhD in the field of physical and mathematical sciences.

Working in European and North Atlantic (EUR/NAT) Office of ICAO he is responsible for assisting the States in the EUR/NAT regions to improve Sate’s safety oversight capacities and State safety management functions and for ensuring required collaboration with industry stakeholders to implement safety enhancement initiatives aimed to reduce accidents, specifically related to runway safety, loss of control in-flight and controlled flight into terrain types. He is also actively involved in ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) Activities as a lead auditor in the areas of LEG (Legislation), ORG (Organization) and auditor in the areas of PEL (Personnel Licensing) and OPS (Air Operators Certification) .

Zewdu Teklay Aregawi , Regional Officer, Safety Implementation – ICAO EASAF

Mr. Zewdu Teklay Aregawi started his professional carrier with Dejen Aviation Maintenance and Engineering Complex as a Maintenance Engineer and after serving for Six Years, he joined Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority.

He has served Ethiopian CAA as Airworthiness Inspector, Senior Airworthiness Inspector and Director of Airworthiness and finally Zewdu has served as Deputy Director General Aviation Regulation in Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority. He joined International Civil Aviation Organization after serving Ethiopian CAA for ten years.

Currently Zewdu is serving at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office as Regional Officer, Safety Implementation.

Mr. Zewdu is graduate of Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering with specialization in Aviation Power Plant.



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