Air Niugini engineers qualify for new licences
Two Air Niugini aircraft engineers were among the first six engineers in the country to receive their aircraft maintenance engineer licences under revised civil aviation rules.
The two are Bronwen Kasito and Benedict Oraka.
Kasito, who is from the Sirumpa village in Henganofi, in the Eastern Highlands, received her electrical and instrument licences, specialising in Fokker 70 and F100 aircraft.
Oraka, Air Niugini’s executive manager in maintenance control, received his licence in power plant and aeroplane, specialising in Boeing 767, B737, Fokker 100/ F70 and the Dash 8-100/200/300 aircraft.
The revised civil aviation rules (Part 66) are adopted from the New Zealand AME licencing system and ensure Papua New Guinea aircraft maintenance engineer licensing meets the international Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) standards.
Air Niugini board director, Leslie Hayward, congratulated the engineers for their achievement. He also commended PNG Civil Aviation & Safety Authority (CASA) for continuously increasing self-sufficiency and ensuring higher safety obligations.
CASA PNG managing director, Wilson Sagati, said the revised part 66 licence is fully compliant with ICAO and is recognisable worldwide, unlike the old AME licence, which was only recognised with PNG. ■