During the Tenth Meeting of Directors of Civil Aviation of North America, Central America and the Caribbean (NACC/DCA/10) held in Fort-de-France, Martinique, France from June 21-23, 2022, the opportunity was taken to hold a meeting with the EASA participants, in order to address important issues for the start of the new EU-LAC-APP Cooperation Project. On behalf of COCESNA, Mr. Juan Carlos Trabanino Aguirre, CEO Executive Director, Mr. Alejandro Mena, ACSA Manager and Mr. Roger Pérez, ACNA Senior Manager participated.
On behalf of EASA, there was the participation of Mr. Luc Tytgat, Director of Operational Safety Strategy and Management, Ms. Carla Lorio, Head of the International Cooperation Section, Americas and Africa, Mr. José Luis Penedo, Head of Political Affairs. In said meeting, the impact that the project has had in supporting COCESNA Member States and strengthening COCESNA/ACSA as a Regional entity was expressed.
Similarly, interest was expressed in extending the scope of the project and thus include Aerodrome Certification (Annex 14), Aviation Safety issues (Security – Annex 17) and Accident and Incident Investigation (Annex 13) within the framework of the new EU LAC APP Project, among other issues of Regional interest.
The importance of generating an adequate transition between the closure of the current project and the start of the new project was also highlighted, in order to ensure continuity in specific activities, such as Certification of Flight Training Devices (FSTD), Fatigue Management (FRMS), State Operational Safety Program (SSP), Aeromedical Program, Unmanned Aircraft (UAS), Certification of Air Navigation Services (ATM/ANS), Environmental Protection, Basis Surveillance Risk Assessment (RBO), Evidence Based Training (EBT), Organization, and Regulatory Process, Standardization, and Implementation. At closing, COCESNA highlights the commitment to maintain the project office at its ACSA facilities in Alajuela, Costa Rica