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Minister Joram Gumbo

Herald Reporters
Government yesterday commissioned a state-of-the-art three-dimension air traffic control simulator worth over $500 000, to train new air traffic controllers and maintain currency for licensed air traffic controllers. The 3D simulator replaces an old training facility, which had outlived its usefulness after use for well above 30 years.

The new acquisition will enable the country to train its own air traffic controllers as it costs the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe(CAAZ) approximately $120 000 to produce a fully-fledged air traffic controller through external institutions.

Addressing delegates at the commissioning ceremony, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo said the new facility positions CAAZ to be competitive within the region and beyond in building a human resource skills base for the nation.

“This will indeed go a long way in ensuring that Zimbabwe’s airspace management is effective, and in keeping with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and recommended procedures.”

“The new air traffic control simulator will ensure that the much-needed training is provided locally to international standards, and at a reduced cost. The authority is now better equipped to provide the country with the required number of qualified air traffic controllers, while availing itself to the international aviation community as an aviation training destination of choice,” he said.

Dr Gumbo said CAAZ presented its turnaround strategy last November and his ministry approved it early this year.

The turnaround strategy, he said, is anchored on modernising its processes and systems.

“This includes the acquisition of the new state-of-the-art three-dimension air traffic control training simulator to train new air traffic controllers and maintain currency for licensed air traffic controllers.

“Government is committed to the continued support of the aviation industry because of its strategic importance to national development through facilitating trade, tourism and regional integration,” he said.

Minister Gumbo said Government’s commitment to supporting the air transport industry is shown through its direct funding of the aviation infrastructure or mobilising the required resources by the way of concessionary loans and, the introduction and implementation of an Aviation Infrastructure Development Fund (AIDEF) on air travelers for the development of state of the art infrastructure and equipment among other interventions.

The air traffic control training simulator was purchased at a cost of $565 000 through proceeds from AIDEF.

The 3-D simulator was purchased from a Canadian data software company.

CAAZ board chairperson Advocate Thembinkosi Magwaliba said, the new simulator will enable the authority to train its own controllers and provide recurrent training in accordance with the national and international requirements and standards at a lower cost.

“The authority is establishing an aviation training academy of Zimbabwe and traffic control is an important component in providing world class training for aviation sector,” he said.