Airservices recognised for contribution to global civil aviation

Airservices Australia has received international recognition for its contribution in leading the development of new global aviation safety standards and monitoring programs, helping to further enhance aviation safety around the world.

Safety Manager Rob Butcher has received the Walter Binaghi Air Navigation Commission Laurel Award during a ceremony in Montreal, Canada on 5 November 2015.

Airservices Acting Chief Executive Officer, Jason Harfield, said Rob had applied his expertise in air traffic management and safety assessment as Australia’s representative and chairperson on an international panel to produce separation procedures for satellite-based technology.

“Rob chaired the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Separation and Airspace Safety panel for 13 years since its inception in 2001,” Mr Harfield said.

“Through his participation in this group, Rob has led the development of procedures and aircraft separation minima for Performance Based Navigation systems as well as developed separation minima and aircraft height-keeping monitoring using Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast.

“Rob has also helped to further enhance safety in the Asia Pacific region through the practical implementation of airspace safety monitoring arrangements.

“I join all Airservices employees in congratulating Rob on receiving this award. Through his leadership and contribution, Rob has developed and implemented airspace safety and management practices that have made an outstanding contribution to global civil aviation.”

In receiving the award, Rob said that he was honoured to be recognised for his efforts.

“My work as the Australian member of a number of ICAO groups has been extremely rewarding and I am very grateful for the opportunities to work across country boundaries to deliver safety and efficiency benefits for the industry,” Rob said.

“My award is the result of support from a number of global aviation industry experts including many from Airservices and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and within ICAO itself.”

Airservices is regarded as a world leader in air traffic safety and is consistently ranked among the top three countries in the world as part of international benchmarking.

Rob is the seventh recipient of the award which pays tribute to individuals who have helped to further the safety, regularity and efficiency of international civil aviation.