Dubai, Nov 15th, 2011 (WAM) -- The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) has become the first aviation regulator globally to embrace mobile technology to enhance their oversight responsibilities by using the iPad to carry out safety audits.
As the regulator of one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world, the GCAA is committed to ensuring that this growth is managed safely. The initiative for adopting the iPad application was officially announced at the GCAA chalet in Dubai Airshow 2011 by Said Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA, and Ashley Marron, Gael's CEO. Safety auditors from GCAA and representatives of different airline were among the attendees. Monitoring the safety performance of more than 768 operators and 595 registered aircraft requires the regulator to implement efficient and effective oversight measures which is why the GCAA engaged with auditing technology specialists, Gael. The GCAA and Gael have a history of delivering ground-breaking initiatives having implemented "e-auditing" a project which allowed the regulator to move from a laborious paper-based process to an electronically managed system that offered greater efficiency and dramatically improved traceability and analysis functionality . Executive Director for Aviation Safety Affairs, Ismaeil Al Balooshis, Said: "We were the first regulator in the world to implement such a robust electronic auditing platform and the project has been a huge success, resulting in a better relationship with our stakeholders, improved knowledge sharing and, ultimately, safer skies above the UAE." The GCAA identified that the audit process could be evolved to take advantage of mobile technologies like the iPad. Gael's CEO Ashley Marron stated "GCAA have provided us with a true insight and vision for how technology can be used to streamline processes and improve safety and quality without adding layers of bureaucracy. We are delighted to have worked closely with the GCAA to deliver their vision with the development and launch of the mobile Ipad products, which are set to transform how managing and performing audits will be performed in the UAE and beyond. Listening to our customers is a core principle of how we run our business and the outstanding relationship with the GCAA is a perfect of example of true collaboration working for the benefit of both companies."At the conclusion of the audit, the iPad facilitates a more accurate and collaborative close out process that allows the auditor and auditee to review and amend findings before submission. Once uploaded to Q-Pulse, the findings can automatically initiate non-conformance workflow and action tracking functionality. Khalid Ahmad Mousa, Audit Development Manager at the GCAA said of the technology "By using the iPad our auditors are spending more time assuring safety and less time duplicating data entry from their clipboard checklists to a system in their office. This allows immediate acceptance of the audit report meaning that when they leave the site their role in the audit is over until findings are actioned. The more I can get them auditing the more workload we can cover with same number of staff."Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2011.
