Pilots operating in the country on Wednesday absolved themselves of any blame arising from the filing of flight plans manually even in the 21st century.
They stated that it was the duty of the government to automate the system, adding that when this was done, pilots across the country would comply.
Last week, the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, had expressed concern that in this age and time, Nigerian pilots were still filing their flight plans manually rather than through electronic means as obtained in most developed and developing countries.
Chidoka had described the development as embarrassing.
But reacting to the minister’s comments, the former Secretary-General, Airline Operators of Nigeria, Capt. Mohammed Joji, told our correspondent that pilots in the country were only using what was made available by the government.
“What is available is the manual flight plan. When it is fully automated, people will comply. You always have people at the Aeronautical Information Service where pilots can always go and file their flight plans, whether it is manual or automated. The main thing is that they should make the automated flight plan available,” he said.
Joji explained that providing an automated flight plan system should not be done half way, as such would not be functional and would defeat the purpose of automation.
He said, “If it is automated flight plan; from my office, I will do it through my computer or something designed for that purpose. But sometime, you have to sit down and make sure that the system is fully functional because you cannot operate it half way.
“So, until the system is fully integrated and functional, you cannot file the flight plan automatically. When it is automated, it means that anywhere you are there won’t be a delay; you can just file the plan straight ahead.”
Also speaking on the issue, the President, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Mr. Isaac Balami, told our correspondent that with the increase in the frequency of flights in the country, there was a need for automation of the system.
According to him, when the filing of flight plans is automated, the process becomes faster.
He said, “But by the time you try to file it manually, you may have issues with logistics, delays and others. And if you look at the airport setting, you will notice that all the airlines are in one place, while the offices of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Nigeria Airspace Management Agency are in other locations.
“Meaning you will have to drive some distance in order to file the plans. So, all these things waste time; but if it is automated, a lot of time will be saved. Aside increasing speed, automation will enhance efficiency. So, it is important the government makes it available.”
On why flight plans were still being filed in by pilots manually, Balami said, “It has to do with frequency. If you have few flights, why bother? But now, we are having more airlines coming on board and we are growing. So, that is the sign that we are expanding and it makes a lot of sense to automate, provided the contract will be issued properly.
“We don’t want it to be like some of those projects that can be done with about N100m but they will mention billions of naira, thereby putting the system in hardship. You can see that there is less flow of cash.”
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