Section 15, Civil Aviation Act, 2017 for an effective aviation safety and security

(1) The Authority shall be responsible for theimplementation and enforcement of this Act and regulations made under it. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Authority shall have responsibility for- (a) promotion and development of safety and security in aviation, including oversight in aircraft operation, airport operation, air navigation facilities and services, air traffic control, meteorological services and facilities to combat hazards to air navigation; (b) ensure due compliance with the conventions, annexes, protocols, standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation; (c) develop guidelines and guidance for the implementation of a safety management system that requires operators and stakeholders in the aviation sector to incorporate safety management systems in their operational activities; 18 19 Remuneration of members. Filling of to vacancies. Object of Functions (d) enter into agreements for co-operative endeavours in the field of civil aviation, aviation safety and security with other contracting states, International and regional organisations; (e) establish a State Safety Programme and a National SurveillanceProgrammeto achieve an acceptablelevel of safety in theoperation of aircrafts, aerodromes, air traffic control and aircraft maintenance; (f) enforce the requirements contained in the National Civil Aviation Security Programme; (g) licensing and registering of aircraft and ensuring safety of air navigation and aircraft, including airworthiness; (h) collaboratein securing to the highest degree practicabl e uniformity in regulati ons, standards and procedures in relation to aircraft, personnel, airways and auxiliary services in order to facilitate and improve air navigation by adopting and amending where practicable, the standards and recommended practices and technical guidelines issued by the International Civil Aviation Organisation to contracting states and where applicable, model regulations developed by a Regional Safety Oversight Organisation of which Sierra Leone is a Member State. ; (i) enter into mutual agreements in the event of lease, charter or interchangeof an aircraft for the transfer of all or part of the safety oversight responsibilities in respect of the aircraft to ensure continuous surveillance of the registered aircraft to the State of the operator; (j) registering and de-registering of aircrafts; (k) registering and de-registering interests in an aircraft or a part of an aircraft including the recognition of the validity of a certificate or licence of a foreign registered aircraft; (l) recognising certificates of airworthiness, certificates of competency, radio licences and other licences issued by other contracting States; (m) license and certify civil aviation inspectors, security personnel responsible for screening, special agents, auditors or other properly licensed or certified persons; (n) making regulations with respect to security measures for the purpose of safeguarding civil aviation against acts of criminal violence, air piracy, the introduction of unauthorised weapons, explosives or incendiary devices onto an aircraft; (o) the licensing of air transport subject to relevant rules and Directives in force for the economic regulation of airports, airlines, airport catering, ground handling service operators, aviation freight forwarders and other providers of air transport services; (p) licensing and registration of aircraft so as to ensure airworthiness of aircrafts and safety in air navigation; 20 21 (q) Coordinating and participating in aeronautical search and rescue; (r) the licensing of aircraft operations personnel including cockpit and cabin crew, flight and ground engineers, air traffic controllers, flight dispatchers, air traffic service and electronics personnel; (s) training and licensing of persons engaged in - (i) oversight and monitoring; (ii) maintenance, operation and air traffic services; (iii) aviation security; (t) certification of aerodromes and licensing of construction, operation, maintenance and management of navigational aids; (u) regulation, promotion and development of air transport operations and services; (v) regulation and co-ordination of civil aviation firefighting services and facilities within Sierra Leone; (w) ensuring efficient utilisation of the navigable airspace, including the provision of rules for- (i) safe altitude of flight; (ii) prevention of collision between aircrafts, between aircraft and land or water vehicles and objects, and between aircraft and other airborne objects; (iii) the interception and safeguarding of (x) provision of facilities and personnel for the regulation of air traffic; (y) levying charges for services provided by the Authority or for the use of the facilities of the Authority and for the issue of licences, permits and certificates; (z) provision of facilities and personnel for the regulation of aviation security; (aa) certification and regulation of air travel agencies; (bb) provision of environmental protection from aircraft noise and engine emissions; (cc) regulation of the use of aeronautical charts and units of measurement in air and ground operations; (dd) the publication and dissemination of aeronautical information pertaining to civil aviation; (ee) establishment, development and management of training facilities for the purpose of training employees in subjects necessary for the proper performance of the Authority; (ff) representing Sierra Leone in matters relating to civil aviation; 22 23 (gg) advising the Government on matters relating to civil aviation including the execution and mplementation of international civil aviation agreements; (hh) performing such other functions as are necessary for the attainment of the objects of the Authority. (3) The Authority shall by regulation require that any civil aircraft operating under its registry or operated by its air operators comply with interception orders from other States.