While aviation safety is working within internationally defined requirements, there are regional challenges that make it quite different in Africa and some other developing regions.

Firstly, aviation technology like any other technologies came by boat to Africa, ready made and for consumption only, not top be modified or checked. Aviators consume without question; trusting the already trusted technology from abroad.

No blame however, since very few institutions in Africa can ever get close toilet alone catch up with technologies of the west.

Spare Part Challenge

Now, what are the repercussions? Since we already over-rely on aviation imports ranging from equipments, spares, technical training, etc, all this requiring more time and cost to acquire compared to time and cost in the regions of origin, this has a great financial impact on African operators.This, may, in some cases, lead to a threat to minimum safety levels due to the high costs involved to maintain them. In order to survive an acceptable level of safety is set, taking account of regional factors that may include some form of compromise on safety. Poor attention to safety may result.

Aviation authorities are desperate to see some form of aviation activities in their countries. They do not have the capacity to monitor and enforce and may turn blind eye. Civil aviation becomes similar to military aviation. The very crucial stage of monitoring is rushed if not skipped.

Why? Affordable equipment either leased or bought to be operated in Africa with the majority of medium sized air operators are on average well over 15 years of age. The cost involved in maintaining such equipment in an airworthy condition is alarming! Next to this, due to many logistical and bureaucratic challenges, it may sometimes take more than 30 days to get an AOG (Aircraft on Ground) spare procured and ready to go the aircraft causing the whole exercise becoming too expensive. This may result in poor maintenance and reducing safety margins.

It is however not only spares.The cost and time required to get technical personnel trained as per international and national requirements also give a painful penalty African aviation safety.

I can put up a list of challenges which Africa region does not share with the rest of the aviation world and I know you can now add some more.

Thinking of Remedies

I am not sure if there is any immediate solution to the ever poor safety records in the region.However, producing some of the aviation technology right here in Africa might be one the first steps forward. At least, putting spare depots in major hubs in Africa if not establishing equipment manufacturing plants in Africa may help increasing safety by having (spare) parts available within reasonable time and cost.

Also, increasing the number of simulator centers in Africa and placing international subsidies on some African aviation needs like what IATA is currently doing on training and Flight Data Analysis (FDA) programs may also address part of the challenges we face.

Conclusion; while the world may sometimes seem to find it comfortable to blame the African region for the failure to avert the poor safety record but pledging little to assist in changing that situation, we should not forget that aviation safety is not restricted by regional borders. African safety performance affects the aviation business globally.

It is therefore the manufacturer, the designer, the insurance companies, international regulatory authorities, consulting companies and other stakeholders who need to work with (in) the region to improve the continents safety performance.

Blacklisting in itself will not work. Have safety levels of those countries in the black book improved?

Aviation consulting firms and the international regulatory authorities, manufacturers, designer, insurance companies and other stakeholders need to ensure the continents safety performance is improved. They can achieve these through conferences, workshops and by ensuring the air operators both private charter companies and airlines comply with the safety management standards set and the management,engineers,technicians,pilots and ground personnel are trained on safety and security aspects of aviation.

Anthony Juma is the Editor and Senior Aviation Director at Wings Over Africa Aviation Limited. <br><a href='http://www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com’> This is an Air Charter Company that specializes on Aviation consultancy on Safety Management Systems Pilot Training| Conversion of license Into Kenyan| Air Charter Services In Kenya,Uganda,Tanzania,Rwanda,Burundi,Somalia,South Sudan,DR Congo, Eastern & Central Africa & The Entire African continent. </a> The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site http://www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/services/consultancy.html</a>