
African Pilot Magazine:
Safety

European Cockpit Association Releases New Guidelines on Commander’s Discretion
New ECA guidelines on Commander’s Discretion clarify when and how airline commanders can extend or reduce flight duty periods under EASA’s ORO.FTL.205(f). The update reinforces fatigue management, shared responsibility, and safety-first decision-making for pilots and operators worldwide.

CAE Announces Publication of Industry-Wide Standard Operating Procedures to Enhance Safety in Business Aviation
CAE and the NBAA release new industry-wide SOPs to strengthen safety, consistency, and training standards across business and general aviation, with rollout set for 2026.

South Africa’s Air Navigation Crisis Grounds Flights and Threatens Economic Stability
Flight cancellations and delays across South Africa as ATNS fails to maintain navigation procedures, disrupting tourism and regional air connectivity.

ATNS Says It’s Making Good Progress to Stabilise and Rebuild
ATNS reports significant progress in stabilising operations, restoring flight procedures, and rebuilding core capacity under new leadership and expert guidance.

Egypt Signs Cooperation Protocol to Strengthen Aviation Safety System
Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation signs a cooperation protocol between the Civil Aviation Authority and the Central Department of Aviation Accidents to enhance safety standards in line with ICAO and Chicago Convention requirements.

Entebbe Airport Celebrates Record Growth in Passenger and Cargo Traffic as Uganda Hails Aviation Boom
Entebbe Airport records historic growth in passengers and cargo as Uganda launches Phase II expansion, marking a new era for the nation’s aviation industry.

Africa’s Skies at a Crossroads: ATNS Turbulence Underscores Urgent Need for Aviation Reform
ATNS’s suspension of 300+ flight procedures exposes deep cracks in South Africa’s airspace system, reinforcing AASA’s call for bold aviation reform.

As Africa Flies More and Charges More, IATA Pushes Lithium Battery Safety in the Skies
As Africa’s skies get busier, IATA launches a global campaign on lithium battery safety to help travellers fly smarter and safer with their devices.

UJ Launches South Africa’s First Advanced Rescue Simulation Centre, a Continental Game-Changer in Emergency and Disaster Response
The University of Johannesburg has opened Africa’s first Advanced Rescue Simulation Centre, a four-storey facility transforming emergency and disaster response training across the continent.

LAM Mozambique Airlines Acquires De Havilland Q400 to Strengthen Fleet Stability
LAM has acquired a De Havilland Q400, marking a strategic step towards fleet ownership, financial stability, and sustainable domestic operations.

Social Sustainability and Safety Leadership Are Shaping the Future of Flight
ICAO and IATA align on safety and social sustainability, spotlighting people, leadership and data as the twin engines driving aviation’s future — especially in Africa.

Safety Starts with People: ICAO’s Call for a Positive Safety Culture in African Skies
ICAO’s new focus on social sustainability links decent work to aviation safety. How Africa’s aviation sector can build safer skies through fair work culture.

South Africa and Eswatini Strengthen Regional Cooperation through Bilateral Air Services and Search and Rescue Agreements
South Africa and Eswatini sign Bilateral Air Services and Search and Rescue Agreements to boost regional air safety, trade, and connectivity in Southern Africa.

Liberia Civil Aviation Authority Restores Voting Rights and Secures Strategic Partnerships at the 42nd ICAO Assembly
The Liberia Civil Aviation Authority restored its voting rights at the 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montreal and secured new aviation partnerships to strengthen safety oversight and training.

Kenya Airways Pays NCAA Sanction Fee Following Consumer Protection Infractions
Kenya Airways has paid an NCAA sanction fee over consumer protection breaches. The Authority stresses safety and operational improvements remain a priority.
NCAA Grants RPAS Operations Certificate to Caverton Helicopters
The NCAA has awarded Caverton Helicopters an RPAS Operations Certificate following a rigorous certification process at its Abuja headquarters.
GADSS-Compliant ARTEX ELT 5000 Achieves Certification on Boeing 787 Aircraft
ARTEX ELT 5000 secures Boeing 787 certification, delivering GADSS-compliant distress tracking and enhanced safety for global aviation operators.

uAvionix and VOTIX Announce Integration of FlightLine ADS-B Data Service to Advance Drone as First Responder Operations
uAvionix and VOTIX integrate FlightLine ADS-B data into the VOTIX platform, enhancing safety, efficiency, and situational awareness for DFR and AAM.

Liberia, ICAO and BAGASOO Launch Urgent Aviation Safety Reforms
Liberia, ICAO and BAGASOO launch urgent aviation safety reforms to address ICAO audit concerns, modernise oversight, and strengthen civil aviation.
Power Bank Policy on Air Mauritius Flights
Air Mauritius updates its power bank policy, restricting use and storage on flights from 1 September 2025 to ensure passenger safety.

Second uAvionix FlightStation Installed at Lanseria International Airport in Partnership with National Airways Corporation (NAC)
Second uAvionix FlightStation installed at Lanseria Airport with NAC, boosting ADS-B surveillance for safer, smarter air traffic monitoring in South Africa.

Africa’s Runways: Can Tech Stop the Silent Threat of Overruns?
Runway overruns remain a major safety risk in African aviation. IFALPA calls for Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting Systems (ROAAS) to reduce accidents and costs.

Tackling the “Big Five”: Addressing the Border Challenges You Keep Hearing About
Border agencies face five major challenges. Digital solutions offer faster, safer, and smarter border management for governments and travellers.
UNEP and ICAO Launch $82.5 Million Project to Eliminate Harmful Firefighting Foams in African Airports
UNEP and ICAO launch $82.5m project to phase out toxic PFAS firefighting foams in African airports, setting a global benchmark for safe, sustainable aviation.

When Normal Isn’t Normal: The Risks of Non-Routine Flight Operations
IFALPA warns of safety risks in non-routine flight operations. What does this mean for pilots, operators, and Africa’s growing aviation sector?

ICAO, Universal Postal Union Strengthen Airmail Security Against Rising Threats
ICAO and the Universal Postal Union have strengthened their partnership to enhance global airmail security, introducing advanced screening technologies, improved training, and data sharing to safeguard international mail operations.

Signia Aerospace Acquires Precise Flight, Expanding Capabilities in Aviation Safety and Performance
Signia Aerospace has acquired Precise Flight, a leading developer of aviation safety systems, expanding its capabilities in innovative aerospace technology and enhancing service to global aviation customers.

How Dual-Role Pilots Increase Learning and Line Flying
Active airline pilots who also instruct bring real-world expertise into training, improving pilot skills, safety, and operational performance.


