2024 Division Highlights and Future Outlook
2024 Welcome to our Year in Review!
As 2024 draws to a close, IVAO Lebanon reflects on a year filled with growth, collaboration, and achievements. From launching engaging tours and events to expanding our member base, each department has contributed significantly to the division’s success. This summary highlights the key accomplishments of 2024 and provides a glimpse into our ambitious plans for 2025.
Operations Department
2024 Achievements
- Launched 10 tours featuring 318 legs and covering a total of 325,224 nautical miles.
- Notable interest but low completion rates (12.5%), indicating the need for more accessible tours.
Key Insights
- Shorter legs and diverse offerings, including both VFR and IFR tours, proved to be the most engaging.
2025 Outlook
- Streamlined and collaborative tours, such as the Turboprop Tour with IVAO Egypt, aim to boost member participation and satisfaction.
Training Department
2024 Resources Developed
- Comprehensive documentation, including IFR and VFR manuals, aerodrome briefings, and a training syllabus, were made available through the Phoenix Academy.
Progress and Challenges
- ATC training advanced with 4 ADC students, but pilot ratings saw limited engagement, emphasizing the need for foundational programs like the PP training.
2025 Goals
- Expand collective training sessions and actively promote structured pilot progression programs and familiarization sessions.
Membership Department
2024 Growth
- Membership grew from 4 at launch to 46 by December 2024, with over half of the members remaining active despite regional challenges.
Regional Comparison
- Lebanon ranks fifth in active members per capita among neighboring divisions, reflecting resilience and potential.
2025 Target
- Aim to reach 40 active members and improve regional standing.
Events Department
2024 Highlights
- Organized 18 events, including the humanitarian World Food Day initiative, which involved seven divisions, 22 airports, and 132 flights.
- Group flights were introduced, tied to the Great Division User award.
Key Observations
- Multi-Server Events (MSE) and international collaborations saw the most success.
2025 Strategy
- Focus on shorter, engaging events and enhance non-HQ collaborations while redesigning signature initiatives like Airplane Mode and World Food Day.
Public Relations Department
2024 Achievements
- Established a consistent banner identity and maintained active Instagram and Facebook accounts.
- Secured sponsorship from Aerosoft for World Food Day, laying the groundwork for future partnerships.
2025 Goals
- Expand media exposure through articles, strengthen sponsor relationships, and organize a Public Display Event to raise awareness.
Web Development Department
2024 Highlights
- Delivered key tools, including an online ATC tracker, weather bots, and pilot participation mappers.
2025 Goals
- Refine existing systems and expand ATC tracking capabilities to include additional airports within the Lebanese FIR.
Special Operations Department
Preparation for Launch
- Set to debut mid-2025, focusing on realistic missions like firefighting, crop dusting, and search and rescue.
Leadership
- Headed by Ezzedine Abdelkader, supported by the full staff team to ensure a vibrant and impactful department.
IVAO Lebanon HQ
2024 Focus
- Established foundational systems and frameworks for long-term stability, albeit at the cost of temporarily shifting attention from broader division goals.
2025 Objectives
- Complete systems development, finalize training for Event and PR coordinators, and prepare for a smooth leadership transition.