National Aviation Safety Committee (NASC)

Background

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was established by the 1944 Chicago Convention to achieve the goals of international co-operation in all aspects of civil aviation. One of ICAO's chief activities is the establishment of International Standard and Recommended Practices (SARP's) as contained in the various Annexes to the said Convention.

South Africa as a signatory to the Convention is obliged to maintain and uphold these SARP's.

Annex 17, Paragraph 3.1.6 provides that each Contracting State shall require the appropriate authority to establish means of co-ordinating activities between the departments, agencies and other organizations of the state concerned with or responsible for various aspects of the National Aviation Security Programme.

The National Aviation Security Committee is an advisory body to the Minister with regard to any security related matters. This body is empowered by the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations of 1981, regulation 3 (1) which provides that the Minister shall institute a Civil Aviation Safety Committee.

Objectives of The Committee

The objectives of the Committee are to:

co-ordinate the development and implementation of aviation security measures and procedures.
Recommend and review the effectiveness of civil aviation security measures and procedures, commensurate with the threat.
Ensure that both the CAA and other relevant agencies in the aviation industry are represented to advise on security policy.

Compositon of The Committee

In line with both ICAO and legislative requirements, the committee will consist of the following members:

Commissioner for Civil Aviation (Chairperson)
Chief Aviation Safety (General Manager Air Safety Infrastructure)
Chairperson : National Facilitation Committee
Member designated by Commissioner for Civil Aviation, in consultation with the Minister

Members representing the following government departments, organizations or parastatals:

South African Police Service
South African National Defence Force
South African Secret Service
National Intelligence Agency
Department of Transport
Department of Provincial and Local Development
Air Traffic and Navigational Services Company Limited
Airports Company South Africa
National Intelligence co-ordinating Committee.

* A secundus to every member of the Committee shall be nominated.
** The co-option of a member on a temporary basis, due to his expertise on a specific matter is, permissible.

Primary Fuctions of The Committee

The Committee shall advise the Minister with regard to:

· Any matter relating to aviation safety, including any such matter referred to it by the Minister, and the efficient application for the provisions of the Act;

· The designation of an airport as contemplated in the definition of "designated airport" in section 1 of the Act.

· Reports submitted to the Committee by the Chief: Civil Aviation Safety (GM ASI)

In collaboration with the Committee the Chief : Civil Aviation Safety shall determine the following:

· The nature of essential equipment to be used at designated airports

· How such equipment is to be made available

· Prescribe to airport management and air carriers in respect of the personnel to be engaged and the equipment to be applied