The UNATT joins the UN Family in the recognition of International Civil Aviation Day on 2017 December 07. The theme for 2015-2018 is “Working together to ensure no country is left behind”.

Article by Ray M S Brathwaite (continued from Page 1)

Piarco Region

Under the ICAO Convention, The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago [GORTT], through the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA), has responsibility for Air Traffic Services within the airspace above its territory. Additionally, the GORTT has been delegated responsibility to provide Air Traffic Services within the airspace of 750,000 square miles that includes the airspace over the entire group of Eastern Caribbean Islands.

The TTCAA maintains very close liaison with the ICAO from which originates the documentation relative to international aviation requirements, standards and general criteria for the operations of civil aviation.

During World War II that there was a planned war strategy meeting between the US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill, inter alia, to be held in Casablanca, Morocco, North Arica during 1943 January 14 – 24. At that time, the German U Boats and submarines were causing havoc in the Atlantic Region making marine travel highly unsafe. The advisors of the US President therefore recommended the first international business flight of a US President. The 17,000 miles round-trip was a secret and circuitous journey. He flew in a Boeing 314 Flying Boat “Dixie Clipper” and granted that era did not have long haul aircraft, the trip required flights in segments for re-fuelling and refreshments for aircraft and party. The flight plan took the US party from Florida to Wallerfield [Piarco, Trinidad], to Rio de Janiero, Brazil, across the Atlantic to The Gambia and then to Casablanca. The journey took 4 days from Jan 11 -14. Important was the security of the airspace and it is said that that was the genesis of the fortunate position of the assignment of the Piarco Flight Information System [Piarco FIR] to Trinidad and Tobago as this country provided a safe haven and well as adequate bunkering fuel.

All of the working of the ICAO and its affiliates is the assurance that no country is left behind enabling perfect take off and landings. While we visually see the Pilots and credit them for our safety, there is a community of hard working men and women who ensures that the airspace is managed such that thousands of aircrafts fly without mishap.

For this we salute all the brave who are involved in Civil Aviation at all levels and functions.

Ray M.S. Brathwaite,
Chartered FCIPD, FCMI, FInstLM, FASI, MBA,
UNATT President
2017 Dec 06