[Avionics Today 02-09-2015] The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concluded its second High Level Safety Conference (HLSC) yesterday with strong support for its near- and long-term strategic planning and priorities for global aviation safety. The event addressed two major aviation issues from the past year, flight tracking and conflict zone risk mitigation, and delivered affirmations for the objectives now being pursued by ICAO member states under the Global Aviation Safety Plan.
Other key items the ICAO conference recognized as requiring ongoing focus included the safe integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into civilian airspace, the continued adoption of proactive safety management approaches in states, provisions on the sharing and protection of safety information, full and expedited implementation of Performance-based Navigation (PBN) regulatory oversight, and the need for all ICAO States to be sufficiently assisted so as to reach global minimum levels of effective safety oversight.
“Importantly, our member states have reinforced their collective responsibility for aviation safety at this event, and that its enhancement will only continue to be possible through cooperative, collaborative and coordinated efforts among all stakeholders under the leadership of ICAO,” commented Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, ICAO council president.