Thank you, Mamour, for your visit to Aerostar and for your thoughtful reflections on the critical work being done to shape the future of high-altitude operations. It was a pleasure to host you in Sioux Falls and to share our ongoing efforts in advancing stratospheric balloon technology. We’re grateful to ICAO for engaging industry partners in this important dialogue. These collaborative efforts are essential for gaining valuable insight and ensuring the continued safe and effective operation of systems in the stratosphere. We look forward to ongoing collaboration with you, ICAO, and the broader HAO community as we work together to unlock the full potential of high-altitude platforms.
Civil Aviation Engineer || Aviation Consultant || Air Traffic Services Manager || Air Navigation and Aviation Safety Specialist || Chevening Scholar 2024 || 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of engaging in two impactful professional experiences in my capacity as a Higher Airspace Operations (HAO) Technical Specialist. While working from the ICAO Headquarters in Montréal, I had the honor of attending the Air Traffic Management Requirements and Performance Panel (ATM-RPP). The panel’s ongoing work on the development of the HAO job card, complemented by an insightful session delivered by Bob Lee of the HAPS Alliance, enabled a dynamic exchange of knowledge and perspectives. It was truly inspiring to witness aviation diplomacy in action, where diverse stakeholders come together to shape a safer, more efficient, and sustainable global airspace. Following this, I had the opportunity to visit Aerostar in Sioux Falls, USA, where I collaborated with experts from Aerostar (Aerostar International LLC) and AeroVironment on technical discussions related to High-Altitude Balloon Operations (HABO). The visit included impressive live demonstrations, notably the launch of Aerostar’s Thunderhead Balloon, which showcased state-of-the-art advancements in stratospheric technology. These platforms present tremendous potential for enhancing global connectivity, environmental monitoring, and other critical applications aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I extend my sincere appreciation to Russ Van Der Werff, Mark Ketcham, Mitchell Heilman of Aerostar (Aerostar International LLC) for their exceptional hospitality and to the HAPS Alliance for fostering meaningful collaboration and driving forward innovation in the high-altitude platform ecosystem. These experiences reaffirmed my conviction that bridging policy frameworks with emerging technologies is essential for unlocking the next chapter in aviation. #AviationDiplomacy #GlobalPolicy #AviationInnovation #HAPS #Aerospace #Collaboration #HighAltitudeOperations #FutureOfFlight #SustainableDevelopment