TCAA to install high-frequency radios in January next year

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has said it will start installing new Very High Frequency (VHF) digital radios for communication between pilots and air traffic controllers in January next year.

The installation of modern radio communication systems is expected to start two months after the equipment was received at the Port of Dar es Salaam from Norway and Italy.

This was revealed by TCAA director of air traffic control services, Ms Flora Mwanshinga, during the celebrations of World Civil Aviation Day, marked on December 7 every year.

She said once the VHF-digital radios are installed, Tanzania will move from analogue systems to digital.

"The project has already started, but in January next year we will start installing the equipment and finish within five months, enabling improved digital communication," said Flora.

According to her, the improvements are the biggest ever made in aviation and will improve the provision of communication services to Tanzania's aviation sector.

Receiving the equipment in October this year, TCAA director general Hamza Johari said that the current communication systems are outdated, which is why the government had provided Sh31.5 billion for the purchase of a new system.

He said the equipment includes high-frequency digital radios, recording equipment for voice communication systems, and systems for connecting and checking communication systems.

"When pilots of planes using Tanzania's airspace want to communicate anywhere, they just call, and we hear through these systems because it is a professional system that covers all over the country," said Mr Johari.

He said the systems will be installed at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA), Pemba airport, Abeid Aman Karume, Zanzibar, Songwe, Mwanza, Tabora, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Dodoma, Kigoma, Tanga, and Mtwara airports.

Further, he noted that they will also install them in 18 centres in the country with the aim of promoting and extending voice communication.

"This system will contribute to the increase of flights as well as airlines coming to Tanzania," said Hamza.

Speaking during the celebration, TCAA acting director general, Teophory Mbilinyi, said the celebration serves as a reminder to ensure that the skies of Tanzania and neighbouring countries are safe for users.

"Our skies are safe because we have enough machinery and equipment to help pilots flying in them. Three years ago, we added four radars to ensure that the entire sky in the country is visible, and we have good communication systems between pilots and air traffic controllers that help make the sky safe.

Tanzania ranked fourth among African countries in aviation safety inspections due to advancements in air communication systems.