Organized by GCAA, TRA and Air Force
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in cooperation with the Air Force and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is hosting a Gulf Satellite Aided Search and Rescue (SAR) Seminar in Abu Dhabi on 6 - 8 March 2011.
"The seminar is the second international SAR event that the UAE has presented within the last few months." said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General, of GCAA. "The GCAA hosted the ICAO Global SAR Forum in June 2010 that brought international experts together to discuss the improvement of global SAR services to a level of uniform compliance with ICAO Standards". Al Suwaidi added.
"This Seminar will focus on closer cooperation by Gulf States to ensure more immediate access to all available expertise, resources and assets in responding to an aircraft emergency." Said Al Suwaidi.
The Seminar will address a number of topics including the present status of Gulf States' SAR services; an overview of the ICAO civil aviation SAR System; an overview of the COSPAS - SARSAT System; the functions of a Rescue Coordination Centre; the concept of a Gulf Aviation SAR Coordination Committee; innovative technology for improved SAR Cooperation; and proposals for an improved Gulf aviation SAR strategy.
The seminar will also discuss other issues such as: Distress Beacons; Cospas-Sarsat Space Segment, Ground Stations and Mission Control Centres; Planning SAR Resources; and ICAO SAR Organization Policy.
The Seminar will feature prestigious speakers from many sectors of the aviation industry and key international, regional, and local organizations. Sessions will comprise short presentations and encourage maximum interaction between speakers, panels and the wider audience.
Below are definitions for SAR system:
COSPAS-SARSAT system: a system of satellites that ensures reception of distress signals for emergency beacons that are activated in an aircraft, ship or personal accident and relays the signal to a network of ground stations and Rescue Coordination Centres for initiation of Search and Rescue response procedures.
Rescue Coordination Centre: A unit responsible for promoting efficient organization of search and rescue services and for coordinating the conduct of search and rescue operations.
Distress beacons: a transmitting unit for alerting emergency services and providing a homing signal for search parties.
-Ends-
For more information, please contact
Hanan Moussa,
Communications Manager,
GCAA.
Tel: 04-2111596,
Fax: 04-2111563
Email: hmoussa@gcaa.ae
© Press Release 2011