- Group fumes as 30 safety inspectors resign over non-implementation of NCAA’s CoS
THE National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has charged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to put adequate measures in place to stop sector payment of pilots by airlines and other aircraft operators stressing that it is perceived to have grave safety implications.
This is just as the group expressed dismay at the non-implementation of the revised 2016 Conditions of Service (CoS) of the NCAA stating that no fewer than 30 safety inspectors have sought greener pastures elsewhere after resigning from the regulatory agency
NAAPE made these observations  in a communiqué issued at the end of National Delegates Conference which held at Hotel Interconnect, Gwarinpa, Abuja where they charged the NCAA to intensify inspection on airlines as several operators do not have enough qualified and experienced technical personnel, another safety concern.
The pilots and engineers association in its resolution explained that sector payment to pilots is calculated based on the number of successful flights a pilot performs on daily basis stressing that this affects the pilot’s pay when the aircraft are unserviceable, if there is inclement weather and the likes which will entice them to fly.
The communiqué read, “Several airlines and aircraft operators are in the habit of paying their pilots based on the sector payment methodology. Sector payment to pilots, which is calculated based on the number of successful flights a pilot performs on daily basis, has been perceived to have very grave safety implications.
“ For the purpose of earning more money, pilots could be negatively induced to attempt flying when an aircraft is unserviceable, when they are not medically fit to fly, when they are under intense pressure, when there are unfavourable weather conditions that may endanger flight, and to fly beyond the maximum hours stipulated by Nig.CARs 8.12.1.4.
“In the interest of safety, NAAPE advises the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to put adequate measures in place to stop sector payment of pilots by airlines and other aircraft operators.
On the call for monitoring airlines to ensure there are adequate technical personnel, NAAPE said this move is safety inclined and aimed at nipping this practice at the bud.
The communiqué read,†There are reports that several aircraft operators do not have sufficient number of qualified and experienced technical personnel to operate and maintain their aircraft fleets. Consequently, the available technical personnel are over-worked, with the safety implication that several errors arising from fatigue could set in.
“NAAPE is concerned about this development, and hereby strongly advice the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to intensify its surveillance on operators to ensure that airlines and aircraft operators employ and retain sufficient number of qualified Pilots and Engineers to operate and maintain their aircraft fleets without compromising safety.
Also NAAPE condemned the wrong designation of holders of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer License (AMEL) as “Technicians†by some airlines and maintenance organizations.
According to the association, the AMEL is issued by NCAA based on the Nig.CARs and so any designation other than an engineer that is given to these license holders would be perceived as a violation of the Nig.CARs.
NAAPE said it finds the practice unacceptable and demeaning, and therefore calls upon all employers of aircraft engineers to be guided accordingly.
NAAPE also expressed dismay that the revised Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Staff Condition of Service (CoS) since 2016 has not been approved by all concerned agencies till date.
It said the agency’s personnel are still being paid based on 2013 Staff Condition of Service causing the resignation of at least thirty (30) qualified and seasoned Aviation Safety Inspectors from the regulatory agency in search of greener pastures.
NAAPE maintained,“NAAPE frowns with dismay that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Staff Condition of Service (CoS) that was revised since 2016 has not been approved by all concerned agencies till date.
“The agency’s staffs are still being paid based on 2013 Staff Condition of Service. In recent years, nearly thirty (30) qualified and seasoned Aviation Safety Inspectors have resigned from the Regulatory agency and sought employment with airlines and other international organizations due to their poor remuneration that is not consistent with their education and experience.
“This poor remuneration of the Inspectors poses serious threats on safety as there are no longer sufficient qualified Inspectors to carry out safety oversight on operators, and the remaining Inspectors who are over-worked and clearly de-motivated would most likely fail to satisfactorily perform their job functions which are very critical to the sustenance of safety within the Nigerian aviation industry.
