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Tochi Aviation, lagos, Lagos (2025)

25/08/2025

In aviation, everyone is important.

Some work in the spotlight, others work quietly behind the scenes — but all with one mission: safety.
Today’s unsung heroes are the Aviation Security Officers, better known as AVSEC.

From Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt and beyond, FAAN AVSEC officers are always there. They screen bags at the conveyor, watch through CCTV, monitor passengers at checkpoints, and make sure no dangerous item or drug slips through. They are the first line of defense.

Airlines also employ their own AVSEC — some directly, some through contractors like Pathfinder, or via ground handlers. They search aircraft before flights, keep an eye on baggage, cargo, and passengers, and work hand in hand with FAAN, especially when it comes to sensitive cargo like arms.

Aviation security is not about one person or one group. FAAN AVSEC, airline AVSEC, contract staff, and ground handlers all form one strong chain of protection. Together, they keep the skies safe.
They may not wear the pilot’s uniform, but without them, aviation would not be safe. AVSEC officers are the quiet guardians of our industry — true unsung heroes.

Remark: Security is everyone’s responsibility. If you see something, say something.

🙏 Like & Share

25/08/2025

STRENGTH OF A WOMAN

Meet First Officer Anne-Marie Barry, now flying the Boeing 757/767 with Delta Air Lines. Before that, she was a Captain at GoJet Airlines on the CRJ-550.

Anne-Marie was born in Guinea, West Africa, and moved to the United States in 2009 to chase her childhood dream of becoming a pilot. With focus and hard work, she earned all her flying licenses in just one year and became a flight instructor, helping others learn how to fly.

In 2022, she moved to Arizona for a teaching job, then later joined a regional airline, where she worked her way up to become a Captain. Her story is full of challenges, but she never gave up — proving that with passion and persistence, nothing is impossible.

Outside the cockpit, Anne-Marie is a mentor, encouraging young women through groups like OBAP and Sisters of the Skies. Her goal is simple but powerful: to show African children that they too can dream big and achieve it.

Watch out for her full inspiring story — only on African Aviation Advocates (A3).

23/08/2025

THE UNSUNG HEROES OF AVIATION: CATERING & CLEANING STAFF

When people talk about aviation, the focus is always on pilots, engineers, cabin crew , But there are some important people who hardly get mentioned – the cleaning and catering staff.

The cleaning team comes in after a flight and makes sure the aircraft is ready for the next passengers. They clean the seats, wipe the tray tables, empty the trash, vacuum the carpets, and sanitize the lavatories. During the COVID-19 period, this work became even more critical because the safety of passengers depended on how well the aircraft was disinfected. A clean aircraft is not just about comfort; it is also about health and safety.

The catering staff also play a big role. They are the ones who prepare and load the meals, snacks, and drinks that passengers enjoy in the air. They also make sure special requests are handled, like vegetarian or diabetic meals. If catering is done wrongly—maybe wrong meals, poor hygiene, or delays—it can affect the comfort of passengers and even cause health issues.

Most passengers never get to see or appreciate these people because they work quietly in the background. But without them, flights would face delays, passengers would complain, and the image of the airline would be at risk.

So while pilots fly the plane, dispatchers plan the flights, and engineers keep the aircraft airworthy, the catering and cleaning staff also make sure every flight runs smoothly. Aviation is teamwork, and their contribution is just as important as any other role.

23/08/2025

NTSB issues the preliminary report for its ongoing investigation of the May 1 loss of separation event between a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter landing at the Pentagon Heliport and an Embraer 170 (Republic Airways flight 5825) on approach to Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) near Washington,
DC.

Aviation Investigation Preliminary Report
Location: Washington, DC
Incident Number: OPS25LA034
Date & Time: May 1, 2025, 14:33 Local
Registration: N879RW (A2); UNREG (A3)
Aircraft: Embraer ERJ 170-100 LR (A2); Sikorsky UH60 (A3)
Injuries: N/A (A2); N/A (A3)
Flight Conducted Under: Part 121: Air carrier - Scheduled (A2); Armed Forces (A3)

On May 1, 2025, about 1433 eastern daylight time (EDT), Priority Air Transport flight 23 (PAT23), (tail number forthcoming), a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter landing at the Pentagon Heliport (JPN), and Republic Airways flight 5825 (RPA5825), an Embraer 170, N879RW, on approach for landing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Arlington, Virginia, were involved in a loss of separation approximately 1.7 miles north-northwest of DCA. PAT23 was operating as a title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 military flight, and RPA5825 was operating as a title 14 CFR Part 121 scheduled passenger flight. According to the FAA, the closest proximity between PAT23 and RPA5825 was 0.4 miles laterally and 200 feet vertically.
The DCA Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) local control (LC) controller was providing services to both involved aircraft when the loss of separation occurred. At the time of the incident there were five positions open in the tower: LC, assistant LC (ALC), ground control (GC), clearance delivery (CD) / flight data (FD), and operations supervisor (OS). Four CPCs (Certified Professional Controllers), one trainee and one OS were on position. The LC position, which was the position involved with training in progress, was combined with the helicopter control (HC) position. The operations manager (OM) had authorized the HC and LC positions to be combined for training. An OS was providing direct supervision. There was one CPC, one OS, and one OS in training (IT) available, with three CPCs and one trainee performing other duties.
Surveillance data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated that PAT23 was inbound to JPN from the southwest via helicopter route 5, Pentagon transition. There were three fixed wing aircraft inbound to runway 19 at DCA. These were (in order): PSA Airlines flight 5073 (JIA5073); Delta Air Lines flight 1671 (DAL1671); and RPA5825.

Page 2
At about 1421 EDT, PAT23 contacted the DCA ATCT LC controller over Springfield and requested to fly helicopter route 5 to the Pentagon. The controller provided the current DCA altimeter setting, radar identified them and advised them of helicopter traffic transiting westbound at 1,200 feet through helicopter zones 5 and 6. The crew acknowledged and advised they were looking for traffic.
At about 1423 EDT, the DCA ATCT LC controller instructed PAT23 to hold three miles west of DCA. The crew acknowledged and read back the holding instructions.
At about 1424 EDT, the DCA ATCT LC controller instructed PAT23 to proceed to the Glebe Road intersection and hold. The crew acknowledged and read back the instructions.
At about 1425 EDT, JIA5073 checked in with the DCA ATCT LC controller on the River Visual Approach to runway 19. The LC controller issued the winds and cleared JIA5073 to land runway 19.
Also, about this time, the DCA ATCT ALC controller coordinated with Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control (PCT TRACON) to ask for extended spacing between JIA5073 and RPA5825 that was next in sequence for runway 19. The PCT TRACON radar controller confirmed they would give them some space.
[Between 1425 and 1428 EDT, PCT TRACON had sequenced DAL1671 into the extended spacing that they had advised DCA ATCT they would provide so that DCA ATCT could get PAT23 into JPN.]
At about 1428 EDT, the DCA ATCT LC controller instructed PAT23 to proceed to the Pentagon via helicopter route 5. The crew acknowledged and read back the instructions.
At about 1429 EDT, DAL1671 checked in with the DCA ATCT LC controller on the Area Navigation (RNAV) Zulu approach to runway 19. The LC controller issued the winds, advised of traffic holding in position and cleared them to land runway 19.
Also, about this time, PAT23 reported Glebe Road. The DCA ATCT LC controller acknowledged.
At about 1431 EDT, the DCA ATCT LC controller instructed PAT23 to report landing assured. The crew acknowledged and said “will do.”
Immediately after the response from PAT23, the DCA ATCT LC controller instructed DAL1671 to go around, to climb and maintain 3,000 feet, and to turn right heading 280°. The crew acknowledged and read back the instructions. At the same time, the DCA ATCT ALC controller immediately began coordinating the go around with PCT TRACON.
Exact times have not yet been determined from the Department of Defense audio, but around this time, PAT23 had checked in with the JPN Heliport Tower (HT) LC controller and was attempting to land on the helipad without a landing clearance. When the JPN HT LC controller queried the crew to ask who had cleared them to land, the crew advised they were executing a go around and that DCA ATCT had cleared them to the helipad.

Page 3
At about 1432 EDT, RPA5825 checked in with the DCA ATCT LC controller inbound on the River Visual Approach to runway 19. The LC controller issued the winds, advised of traffic that would be holding in position and cleared them to land runway 19.
At about 1433 EDT, the DCA ATCT LC controller asked PAT23 if they were landing assured, and the crew advised they were landing assured. Simultaneously, according to information provided in post-incident interviews, the DCA ATCT LC saw PAT23 climb back up above the Pentagon building and immediately issued a go around to RPA5825 and instructed them to climb and maintain 3,000 feet and turn right heading 250°. The crew of RPA5825 acknowledged the go around, and read back the instructions, however separation had already been lost.
Figure 1 is an overhead view of the flight tracks of both RPA5825 and PAT23 and indicates their approximate location at the point of closest proximity.
Upon initial notification, the NTSB requested additional data from both the FAA and the Department of Defense (DOD). After receiving and conducting a review of this preliminary data, the NTSB formed an ATC investigative group and parties to the investigation include the FAA, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), and the United States Army.

Page 4
Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data, audio recordings, and other pertinent data and documentation were obtained from the FAA. These data are currently being analyzed by the NTSB.
During the week of June 15th, 2025, the ATC investigative group conducted an on-site investigation and interviewed personnel at both DCA ATCT and JPN HT, the ATC facilities that had provided services to RPA5825 and PAT23 at the time of the incident. The group conducted interviews with controllers and also met with technical operations personnel responsible for communications installation and maintenance at both facilities. All information gathered confirmed that there had been no known or documented loss of communication at any time between JPN HT and PAT23, and that there had been no replacement or movement of any communication equipment since the event, and that information previously released regarding the potential loss of communications had been erroneous.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information (A2)
Aircraft Make: Embraer
Registration: N879RW
Model/Series: ERJ 170-100 LR
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: –
Operator: DELTA AIR LINES INC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Flag carrier (121)
Operator Designator Code: –
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information (A3)
Aircraft Make: Sikorsky
Registration: UNREG
Model/Series: UH60
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: –
Operator: Army Department of Defense
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code: –

Page 5
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDCA, 13 ft msl
Observation Time: 13:52 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 18°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 5000 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR (A2); MVFR (A3)
Departure Point: Fairfax County, VA (DAA) (A3)
Destination: Washington, DC (A2); Washington, DC (JPN) (A3)
Wreckage and Impact Information (A2)
Crew Injuries: N/A
Passenger Injuries: –
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Damage: None
Aircraft Fire: None
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: N/A
Latitude, Longitude: 38.877083, -77.051003 (est)
Wreckage and Impact Information (A3)
Crew Injuries: N/A
Passenger Injuries: –
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Damage: None
Aircraft Fire: None
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: N/A
Latitude, Longitude: 38.877083, -77.051003 (est)
Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Soper, Brian
Additional Participating Persons:
Claude Vieira; FAA; Jamaica, NY
Kristen McTee; NATCA; Denver, CO
Joseph Frasier; United States Army - DOD; Stafford, VA

Investigation Class: Class 3
Note: The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this incident.

20/08/2025

THE UNSEEN GUARDIANS OF AVIATION: AIRCRAFT TECHNICIAN

You always hear about pilots, flight dispatchers and cabin crew. Today let us put light on Aircraft Maintenance Engineers or Technicians. They are the reason a metal bird becomes a safe aircraft. Without them nothing moves.

Before a dispatcher even starts work on a specific flight, the maintenance team sends an Aircraft Status Report. In simple words, it tells us if the aircraft is serviceable or not. It also shows any snag. A snag is a fault or anything that needs attention.

The report may also show limits or special steps for that flight. The dispatcher reads this first, then plans the route, checks weather and alternates, sets the fuel, checks performance and any restrictions, and uses all that to brief the captain. The briefing is clear and simple. Captain, the aircraft is serviceable. There is one noted item. It is allowed under the rules. We have adjusted the plan. That way the captain has the full picture before the passengers even walk to the gate.

Now about the technical logbook. This is the official book that lives in the cockpit. It records hours, sectors, inspections, snags and the work done. Pilots review the logbook before they accept the aircraft. If they notice a new issue they enter it in the book. Maintenance comes, checks, and either fixes it or defers it according to the rule book called the Minimum Equipment List. When work is completed they sign the release in the logbook. If an item is allowed to fly with conditions it is carried forward and the note will appear again until it is cleared. The Aircraft Status Report that dispatch gets and the technical logbook that pilots hold are two sides of the same truth. One feeds flight planning on the ground. The other lives with the aircraft and speaks to the pilots.

This is how the team works together. Engineers or technicians make the aircraft safe and honest. Dispatchers study the report, adjust the plan, and brief the captain in plain language. Pilots take that plan, add their judgement, and make the final call. Cabin crew prepare the cabin and apply any notes that affect passengers. Ground staff load the bags and fuel within the plan. Everyone is connected.

Sometimes a small snag can change the plan. If a piece of navigation equipment is not available the dispatcher may choose a different route or level. If an anti ice system has a limit the plan may need more fuel or a different alternate. If a galley item is out of service the cabin crew adjust service. The captain sees all of this in the briefing and in the logbook, asks questions, and the team agrees on the safest way to go. That quiet teamwork is what gives you a smooth takeoff and a safe landing.

Aviation is pure teamwork. Pilots. Dispatchers. Engineers. Technicians. Cabin crew. Ground staff. Air traffic control. No single person takes the glory. Next time you land safely, remember the hands you did not see but that carried you all the way.

19/08/2025

AIR FRANCE 777 DECLARES EMERGENCY AFTER PASSENGER TRIES TO STRANGLE FLIGHT ATTENDANT AT 32,000 FEET

An Air France flight from Paris to Dakar on Friday, August 16, 2025, turned into a nightmare after a female passenger went on a violent rampage at 32,000 feet.

The Boeing 777, operating as flight AF718, had already settled into cruise when the woman suddenly started causing chaos inside the cabin. She was shouting, threatening people, and disturbing passengers, before things escalated into a shocking attack on the purser, who is the head of the cabin crew.

According to witnesses, the woman launched herself at the flight attendant and tried to strangle and even bite him while screaming that she wanted to kill. Other crew members and passengers rushed in to help, but the situation had already turned very serious.

With more than 300 lives at stake, the pilots immediately declared a full emergency, sending out the 7700 code that signals to air traffic control that the flight is in distress. The aircraft was then turned back to Paris without hesitation.

After about an hour and forty minutes in the air, the Boeing 777 made a safe landing back at Charles de Gaulle Airport, where police and security were already waiting. The violent passenger was quickly taken off the aircraft and into custody.

Thankfully, no other passengers were harmed, although the attacked crew member had to receive medical attention after the ordeal.

Once the situation was handled, Air France later prepared the aircraft again and it continued its journey to Dakar the same evening, arriving several hours behind schedule.

The airline has since praised the actions of its crew and pilots, stressing that the safety of everyone on board will always come first.

16/08/2025

British Airways Pilot Suspended After Leaving Cockpit Door Open for Family

Earlier this month (August 2025), a British Airways pilot got into serious trouble during a flight from London Heathrow to New York JFK.

Reports say that the captain left the cockpit door open so that his family, who were passengers on that flight, could see him while he was flying the plane. To some people, this might look harmless, but in aviation, it’s a big deal.

👉 Why is it a problem?

Since the 9/11 attacks in 2001, international aviation rules demand that cockpit doors remain shut and locked at all times during flight. This is to make sure no unauthorized person can enter the cockpit, and to reduce the risk of hijacking or unlawful interference. These rules are written clearly in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, specifically in Annex 6 (Aircraft Operations) and Annex 17 (Aviation Security) of the Chicago Convention.

👉 What happened after?

The crew and even some passengers were worried and quickly reported the matter. The airline immediately suspended the pilot, and as a result, the return flight from New York to London (BA174) was canceled. That meant hundreds of passengers were stranded and had their travel disrupted.

British Airways, together with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), launched an investigation. They later confirmed there was no direct security threat to the aircraft or passengers. After some time, the pilot was allowed to return to flying duties.

16/08/2025

Why You Should Dress Properly When FlyingWhen you are going on a flight.

it is very important to dress well. This is not just about looking good, it is about respecting yourself and other people on the plane.A plane is a small space where everybody sits close to each other.

You do not know who will be sitting next to you. There can be children, elderly people or even someone from a very conservative background. If your dressing is too revealing, some people may feel uncomfortable.

From my own point of view, the truth is you can still look beautiful and smart without exposing too much. I have seen cases where cabin crew had to give a passenger a blanket to cover up. It became a small argument that could have been avoided.

The cabin crew are there for safety and comfort, not to settle issues about clothes.Some airlines also have rules about dressing. They may not announce it all the time, but if you go against it, you can be told to cover up or even be stopped from boarding.

That is an embarrassing situation you do not need.So please, when you are travelling by air, think of where you are going and who you will meet on the plane.

Dress in a way that shows respect for yourself and others. You can be stylish and still be decent.

10/08/2025

Attention travellers:
From October 1, 2025, Emirates will allow you to carry your power bank, but you cannot use it or charge devices with it during the flight.
This is to reduce the risk of battery fires.

07/08/2025

CAPT. RANTI'S ACCOUNT.
Hear Captain Ranti's, the pilot in command of Flight VK201 from Abuja to Lagos which K1 stood in front to prevent from flying.

👇
"During boarding which commenced as scheduled at 8:10 am, KWAM1 approached the aircraft at about 08:15–08:20 carrying a gold flask of unknown content.

"Ground staff requested, as per standard procedure, to verify the content of the flask but he vehemently refused.

"He was seen drinking from the flask and the ground staff suspected that it contains alcohol, a substance prohibited onboard aircraft in Nigeria.

"Instead, he responded with comments such as, “Do you know who I am? You have no right to tell me to open my flask.”

“As he reached the foot of the aircraft, security personnel reiterated that he could not board without complying with the inspection. He became confrontational, causing a disruption,” Captain Ranti continued.

“To manage the situation and prevent further delay, I exited the cockpit and approached Mr. Ayinde to engage him amicably. Without warning, he opened the flask and poured its contents on me, the security personnel, and some nearby passengers.

“Following this assault, airport security intervened, and other passengers were allowed to continue boarding. The Head of Security advised that Mr. Ayinde should not be permitted to travel on the flight due to his behaviour. I agreed, prioritising the safety of my passengers and crew.

“After shutting the aircraft doors, I observed that Mr Ayinde was still near the aircraft, obstructing movement. I made a Public Announcement to inform passengers of the delay while security personnel worked to remove him from the area. Once he was moved out of sight, I commenced taxiing and departed for Lagos at approximately 08:50.

“This incident caused significant delay, disruption, and posed safety risks to passengers, crew, and the operation of the flight.”
Credit :Olatinwo Adedayo

06/08/2025

NCAA SUSPENDS VALUEJET PILOTS

What happened at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Tuesday August 5 2025 has raised serious questions about safety awareness both from passengers and flight crew.

Reports confirm that some passengers who missed their flight took matters into their own hands. Instead of returning to the terminal to speak with airline staff or reschedule peacefully, they went to the aircraft while it was still on ground and stood very close to it, demanding to be allowed onboard.

This action is not only wrong but extremely dangerous. That area is a high-risk zone. It is meant for trained personnel only, not for passengers. You don’t just walk up to an aircraft because you missed your flight. The ramp is full of moving vehicles, ground equipment and active aircraft. One wrong step can cause something tragic.

To make matters worse, while this disturbance was happening close to the aircraft, the pilots started up the engines and began taxiing. Yes, they may have received clearance from the tower, but clearance does not replace responsibility.

It is still the crew’s duty to confirm that the aircraft’s surroundings are clear of people and ground staff before starting any movement.From the video and eyewitness accounts, it was clear that apart from the passengers near the aircraft, there were also ground staff in the area.

That moment called for caution. Taxiing the aircraft under such conditions showed very poor judgement. If it had been a plane with lower engines like a Boeing 737, this could have led to a major disaster.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA responded immediately by suspending the licenses of the Pilot in Command Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and the First Officer Ivan Oloba. In the official statement released, NCAA said the crew failed to uphold standard safety procedures expected of professionals in such a critical role.

A full investigation has now been launched to determine the full cause of this serious breach.This is not the time to point fingers but a time to reflect. Aviation is not something you play with. One careless decision can cost lives.Passengers must learn that no matter how frustrated you are, storming the ramp is never the answer. You missed your flight, go to the airline desk and speak with someone. There are laid down procedures for everything.

Flight crew must also be reminded that no matter the pressure, safety comes first. Clearance is not a green light to ignore what is physically happening around your aircraft. Your job is to protect lives on board and on ground.NCAA has made it clear that there will be no compromise when it comes to safety.

This suspension is just the first step. The full investigation will determine what went wrong and what needs to change.Let this incident serve as a reminder to everyone involved in aviation — from passengers to pilots to ground handlers. Safety is not a slogan. It is a serious responsibility we must all uphold.

03/08/2025

Etihad Airways Hits Record with 5 New Planes in Just One Month

Etihad Airways had its busiest month ever in July 2025 when it added five brand-new aircraft to its fleet — more than it has ever received in a single month.

Here’s what’s new in their fleet:

1 Airbus A321LR – a modern, fuel-efficient plane that’s perfect for medium-length trips. This version includes luxury First Class suites, lie-flat seats in Business Class, and a refreshed Economy cabin. It's also the first of its kind in the Middle East with such premium features on a smaller plane.

2 Boeing 787 Dreamliners – long-distance aircraft that will help Etihad fly more people to faraway destinations like Asia, Australia, and North America.

1 Airbus A350-1000 – another large aircraft that boosts Etihad’s ability to fly longer routes with better fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.

1 Airbus A320 – a smaller plane ideal for shorter routes across the region.

📊 Why is this important?

Etihad is planning for big growth. By 2030, the airline wants to carry 38 million passengers a year. These new aircraft will help them:
Add 27 new destinations around the world
Increase the number of flights to popular cities
Offer better travel experiences with newer, more comfortable planes

🛩️ Current Fleet Overview:

Total aircraft: 106
Average plane age: 8.7 years, which means most planes are still quite new and modern
Etihad is clearly gearing up for the future, focusing on comfort, efficiency, and expanding its reach worldwide — all from its base in Abu Dhabi.

Tochi Aviation

25/08/2025

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