International Civil Aviation Organization - ICAO

International Civil Aviation Organization, also known as ICAO is s specialized agency of United Nations which works to promote and work for international civil aviation and change the rules and techniques of international air navigation and encourages planning and development of international air traffic to ensure safe and orderly growth of aviation industry. Usage of aircrafts for purposes that are personal or business related but non-military is called civil aviation. Flights happen globally all the time and there are many factors involved to facilitate a smooth flight of an aircraft. Pilots require directions from air traffic controllers for directions of an aircraft in air.

International Civil Aviation Conference was held between 1st November 1944 and 7th December 1944 in Chicago which decided and felt the need for establishment of International Civil Aviation Organization. ICAO was then established on 4th April 1947 with headquarters in Quebec, Canada.

It has two main organs which are explained as follows:

1. Assembly

Assembly is the association of all its 192 members.

2. Council

Council comprises of 27 members elected by the Assembly for 3 year tenure. Council member representation is classified into three groups being Group 1 being the group of countries of chief importance, Group 2 being the group of countries with large contribution and lastly, Group 3 being the group of countries elected on basis of fair geographical representation. Council members do research for betterment of civil aviation and publish this information after verification and analysis. This organ also makes recommendations of better policies for civil aviation standards, practices and rules.

ICAO has the power to act as an Arbitrary Council to settle disputes arising between members on civil aviation matters. International Civil Aviation standards agreed upon by all the members in 18 Annexes which was signed on 7th December 1944.

ICAO also standardizes certain functions for use in the airline industry, such as the Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS).

Every country is required to have an accessible Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), with respect to standards defined by ICAO, that has information essential for air navigation. Members are required to update their Aeronautical Information Publication manuals every 28 days and provide definitive regulations, procedures and information for each country about airspace and airports. ICAO's standards also mention that temporary hazards to aircraft must be regularly published using notices to airmen.

ICAO defines an International Standard Atmosphere (also known as ICAO Standard Atmosphere), a model of the standard variation of pressure, temperature, density, and viscosity with altitude in the Earth's atmosphere. This has been useful in calibrating instruments and designing aircrafts. The standardized pressure is also used in calibrating instruments in-flight, particularly above the transition altitude.

ICAO is active in infrastructure management, including communication, navigation and surveillance / air traffic management (CNS/ATM) systems, which employ digital technologies (like satellite systems with various levels of automation) in order to maintain a seamless global air traffic management system. It has also been empowered to publish international standards for passports.

ICAO has a headquarters, seven regional offices, and one regional sub-office which are as follows:

- Headquarters - Montreal, Quebec, Canada

- Asia and Pacific (APAC) - Bangkok, Thailand; Sub-office - Beijing, China

- Eastern and Southern African (ESAF) - Nairobi, Kenya

- Europe and North Atlantic (EUR/NAT) - Paris, France

- Middle East (MID) - Cairo, Egypt

- North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACC) - Mexico City, Mexico

- South American (SAM) - Lima, Peru

- Western and Central African (WACAF) - Dakar, Senegal.