Licence to fly: (From left) Pilot Muhammad Syawal Zulkofli, Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, Loke, Norazman and Datuk Captain Noraman Mahmud Abidin Maslan attending the launch of CAAM’s new platform. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
New system will replace physical applications for aviation professionals
KUALA LUMPUR: The first ever e-licensing platform for aviation professionals in South-East Asia has been launched by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
The new platform, named e-CAAM Licensing Professional Services (eCLIPSE), will allow applications and renewal of licences at any time and from anywhere, according to CAAM chief executive officer Datuk Captain Norazman Mahmud.
Developed entirely in-house by CAAM, he said the platform had been provided to all relevant stakeholders in the aviation industry and would replace the current system of physical applications.
Utilising a fully digital workflow with zero paper documents, Norazman said the platform would minimise turnaround time for managing and approving applications.
“This platform now enables aviation professionals, including pilots, air traffic controllers and aircraft maintenance engineers to manage their licensing applications with greater ease and efficiency.
“This will help ensure all aviation personnel in Malaysia maintain valid and up-to-date certificates, including recurrent training, proficiency checks, medical fitness and English language proficiency.
“This advancement will benefit CAAM as well as the broader aviation industry, fostering greater efficiency and accountability across the sector,” he said at the eCLIPSE launch event, here yesterday.
He revealed that licensing records have been digitalised and that there are plans to incorporate artificial intelligence into the platform, which among others, would enable predictive monitoring of licence validity and automate compliance checks.
“This will further optimise efficiency with the endgame of eventually digitalising everything into a central data centre by 2027,” he said.
In praising the platform, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said it would cut the time for processing licensing applications, which currently could take up to two weeks, by half.
“The system is tailored to our local regulatory framework while remaining adaptable to future advancements in aviation technology, ensuring business continuity even in times of disruption,” he said.
Going forward, the ministry is aiming to implement a similar e-licensing platform for commercial and recreational drone use by the end of the year.
“The plan is to provide on-the-spot approval for licensed drone pilots,” he added.
On a separate matter, Loke said the ministry is mediating between all parties affected by a cargo ship fire which had caused 1,000 vehicles to be stranded in Port Klang since December.
“We will try our best to negotiate a more reasonable sum for the car owners to pay to reclaim their cars from the ship,” he told reporters.
The owners were reportedly asked to pay 60% of their vehicle’s value to the shipping company to reclaim their cars.
The ship is currently stranded at Port Klang after a blaze occurred during the vessel’s journey to Borneo, at about 9.1 nautical miles off Tanjung Labuh, Batu Pahat, prompting the ship to return to port.
On continuing the search for Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370, Loke said Malaysia welcomed a British robotics company’s decision to begin operations even before its contract was finalised.
“We have given principal approval for the search to resume but we are still finalising the details of the contract.
“Nevertheless, we welcome the proactiveness of Ocean Infinity as this is great news for all the victims’ next of kin,” he said.
In December, the Cabinet gave its approval to receive bids to restart the search for MH370, which disappeared with all 239 people on board in March 2014.
