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Civil Aviation Authority hosts annual Safety Seminar
In its commitment to aviation safety, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) hosted its annual three day Safety Seminar on the 4th – 6th November. The Seminar focused on a variety of topics ranging from updates on the Boeings’ 737-8 Max aircraft, technical/safety topics of airworthiness, flight operations, operational risk, strategic and operational planning, Safety Management Systems (SMS) to updates on the recently implemented Data Protection Law and Cybersecurity. The seminar was held at the George Town Yacht Club Conference Room, and attended by the CAACI’s technical and administrative staff, overseas contracted surveyors and inspectors. Members of the local aviation industry were invited to attend the Safety Management System (SMS) Case Study presented by Capt. Mark Dixon, CAACI Flight Operations Inspector and Senior Lecturer Emirates Aviation University MBA and MSc programme.
At the official opening ceremony, the Premier and Minister for International Trade, Investment, Aviation & Maritime Affairs, the Hon. Alden McLaughlin offered opening remarks which focused on the objectives of his new Ministry, the promotion of the Cayman Islands Aircraft Registry and the synergies with other asset management options offered by the jurisdiction which creates unique offerings for business clients worldwide.
His Excellency, the Governor Mr. Martyn Roper, offered the keynote address that reflected on his responsibility to the United Kingdom for aviation, to ensure compliance with the UK’s obligations to the Chicago Convention and the importance of the aviation industry and its implications for the two pillars of the Cayman economy – the finance and tourism industries. He went on to congratulate the CAACI for retaining full designation from the UK for regulatory oversight of the Cayman Islands aviation industry, including aircraft on the Cayman Islands Aircraft Registry that are domiciled and operate globally.
Director- General of the CAACI, Mr. Smith commented, “it is very important that we are able to come together, at least once a year to reconnect, gain insight from each other, share learnings and examine trending topics which affect our regulatory oversight role and also to strategize for the next 12 months and beyond,” he continued, “The 2019 Safety Seminar was extremely successful and will set the standard for future seminars and conferences.”
The culmination of the 2019 Safety Seminar on Wednesday afternoon included a team building event lead by Greg Smith, CEO of the YMCA (who specializes in Organisational Leadership). The teambuilding event focused on presentation of theoretical organisational behaviour principals and various types of activities aimed at understanding the dynamics of how teams function, communications skills and instilling an appreciation for what each person brings to the job place. The exercises were designed to impart the learnings in an enjoyable fashion where all were encouraged to contribute.
