DCA staff received ICAO training in Aruba.
ORANJESTAD – Recently, staff from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) completed an intensive four-day training provided by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Two ICAO instructors conducted this training in Aruba. The assessment and monitoring of Safety Management Systems (SMS) were the principal topics. All organizations active in aviation must develop and implement an SMS program and submit it to DCA for evaluation. Through an SMS system, companies can manage their risks based on concrete and defined methods.
A significant benefit of SMS programs is that they provide DCA with "safety intelligence'. Combined with data from safety reports and inspections, it forms the basis for managing aviation safety. By monitoring this data, DCA can identify trends and transition to a predictive system for managing aviation risks. This shift is occurring globally in the aviation industry.
The training equipped DCA staff with the necessary skills to evaluate and monitor SMS systems. The instructors commended the professionals for their knowledge, experience, active participation, and valuable contributions during the course.
Many of DCA’s activities operate behind the scenes but are critical and necessary to ensure high levels of aviation safety. The technical staff at DCA, including policy advisors and inspectors, carry out various activities to guarantee aviation safety. To perform these tasks effectively, technical staff must be qualified and well-trained across all areas of aviation. It is the only way to ensure an acceptable level of safety for travelers and a high level of compliance with ICAO standards. A safe, reliable, solid, and sustainable aviation sector is vital for Aruba’s tourism and economy.
One of ICAO's strategies is to promote more female professionals in the aviation industry. To this end, ICAO sent two female instructors and encouraged female staff participation. Currently, DCA has several female professionals who are integral to the team and are continuously developing within the aviation industry. A female legal expert at DCA, Mrs. Marjanne Jarazagaray-da Silva, recently completed a postgraduate degree in aviation law.
DCA also takes this opportunity to inform the public about its incident reporting portal. Both aviation professionals and the general public can anonymously report any situation they believe may affect aviation safety.
