Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Confusion on Oceanic Clearance Removal Procedures for NAT Traffic
This bulletin applies to all NAT FIRs EXCEPT Shanwick. OCR has not been implemented for Shanwick FIR. Past practice remains in place for traffic entering Shanwick from domestic airspace.
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Implementation of Oceanic Clearance Removal – North Atlantic except for Shanwick
North Atlantic airspace includes the following airspace: New York Oceanic East (KZWY), Gander (CZQX), Reykjavik (BIRD), Bodø (above FL195) (ENOB), Shanwick (EGGX) and Santa Maria (LPPO). On 4 December 2024, all airspace in the NAT (North America track) system will have implemented the oceanic clearance removal (OCR) procedure, with the exception of Shanwick airspace. Under the OCR procedure, crews are required to submit the request for clearance (this procedure has remained unchanged). The flight will receive a message back, “RCL received by XXX.” This message will be sent from the airspace to which the RCL was submitted prior to oceanic entry (...)
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Mpox Outbreak Information for Pilots
This bulletin is intended for informational purposes only. In all cases, please follow the guidance of your operator, regulator, and national laws. The World Health Organization (WHO) has just determined that the upsurge of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), following the emergence and rapid spread of a new virus strain. Several outbreaks of Mpox have occurred in different countries, with different modes of transmission and different levels of risk.
Joint Safety Bulletin IFALPA-IFATCA : Unlawful Communication Interference within the Mogadishu FIR
IFALPA and IFATCA have been made aware of aircraft experiencing a critical communication issue while en-route over Somalia, within the Mogadishu FIR. Crews were presented with instructions coming from "fake controllers" via the regular ATC frequency, with the apparent intention of diverting the flight from is planned route.
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Operating Aircraft with Deactivated Brakes
Recently, IFALPA has become aware that some aircraft are intentionally being operated with deactivated brakes or without a fully operational braking system. This Safety Bulletin highlights the potential safety consequences of these types of operations and presents some recommendations.
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Communication Interference by Military Warships in the Pacific Region
IFALPA has been made aware of some airlines and military aircraft being called over 121.50 or 123.45 by military warships in the Pacific region, notably South China Sea, Philippe Sea, East of Indian Ocean. In some cases, the flights were provided vectors to avoid the airspace over the warship. We have reason to believe there may be interferences to GNSS and RADALT as well (...)
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Security Concerns in the Papua Region of Indonesia
The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) is extremely concerned about the ongoing security issues faced by commercial aircraft and crews operating in the Papua Region of Indonesia, as reported by our local Member Association, Ikatan Pilot Indonesia (IPI). On 9 January 2023, local militants fired bullets at a cargo plane landing at Oksibil Airport, which resulted in a go around and a diversion (...)
Safety Bulletin : Navigational Errors on the North Atlantic
The ICAO North Atlantic Systems Planning Group (NAT SPG) has issued an Oceanic Errors Safety Bulletin1 (OESB) concerning deviations observed on the North Atlantic Tracks (...)
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Incorrect QNH Selection
On 6 June 2020 a Boeing 787-10, performing the RNP-Y approach for runway 31L at Abu Dhabi (OMAA), using standard QNH 1013 instead of actual QNH 999, descended below the approach vertical profile. The aircraft descended to 210 feet AGL, 1.3 NM from the runway threshold, approximately 350 feet below the correct altitude, according to the approach profile, when the flight crew acquired the PAPI, indicating 4 red, and initiated a go-around (...)
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Winter Conditions at Finland Airports
Safe winter operations normally require special procedures by airline maintenance, engineering, ground crew, and de-icing personnel. In Finland, FINAVIA and TRAFICOM publish an annual Safety Bulletin on winter conditions. This bulletin focuses on operations in northern Finland but the content is relevant to other locations subject to similar weather. It provides excellent guidance for both flight crews and operators (...)