Joint Industry Statement on the Misuse of International Aeronautical Emergency Frequency 121.5 MHz
The Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) and the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA) have come together to issue this critical joint statement addressing the misuse of the International Aeronautical Emergency Frequency 121.5 MHz. This frequency, reserved exclusively for emergency communications, is vital to ensuring swift responses to distress situations. The inappropriate use of this frequency may pose a serious risk to flight safety, delaying critical assistance to those in need. We urge all aviation stakeholders to carefully consider the importance of safeguarding this frequency and to take immediate steps to ensure it is used strictly for its intended purposes.
Position Paper IFALPA: Pilot Participation in Safety Risk Assessments
IFALPA strongly supports the implementation and execution of thorough risk assessments by safety departments to ensure in-depth safety analysis. Most current risk assessment practices do not include pilot safety advocates from the Member Association. IFALPA recognizes the vital role of these frontline pilots in ensuring the highest standards of aviation safety. The positive effect on flight safety through risk assessments in the context of a functioning safety management system is well recognized (...)
IFALPA Briefing Leaflet: Yellow Fever Information for Pilots
IFALPA has updated information for Pilots on Yellow Fever. Please review carefully and, as always, be aware of the regulations and expectations of your operator/employer, and those of your local health authority.
IFALPA Briefing Leaflet: Enhancing Pilot Monitoring
IFALPA recognizes the critical roles of Pilot Flying (PF) and Pilot Monitoring (PM) as foundational elements in flight deck operations. While the aviation industry has established clear definitions and responsibilities for these specific roles, IFALPA advocates for a renewed focus on the monitoring tasks associated with both the pilot flying and monitoring positions during all phases of flight. This leaflet aims to highlight the pilot monitoring tasks, supporting flight safety and operational efficiency, and introduce tools for enhancing its effectiveness in the cockpit. This briefing also introduces a theoretical background on human perception, cognition, and a model of situational awareness for pilot monitoring tasks. It then describes five tools designed to enhance monitoring effectiveness and their real-world applications. The reader is invited either to review the complete document or to review the tools individually, with references to the theoretical background where necessary.
IFALPA Briefing Leaflet: Ocular Hazards of UV and Blue Light Exposure
The range of wavelengths of visible light is from approximately 400 nanometres (nm) to 700nm. The wavelength of UV radiation is below that of visible light, ranging from 100nm to 400 nm. Since UV radiation has more energy than visible light, it may cause damage to the ocular lens of the eye causing cataracts. Blue light may play a role in the pathophysiology of macular degeneration depending on exposure intensity and time (...)
Briefing Leaflet: Ocular Hazards of UV and Blue Light Exposure
6 May 2024 - The range of wavelengths of visible light is from approximately 400 nanometres (nm) to 700nm. The wavelength of UV radiation is below that of visible light, ranging from 100nm to 400 nm. Since UV radiation has more energy than visible light, it may cause damage to the ocular lens of the eye causing cataracts. Blue light may play a role in the pathophysiology of macular degeneration depending on exposure intensity and time (...)
IFALPA Statement: Two Pilots, One Priority: Elevating Flight Safety
Discussion surrounding new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and autonomous vehicles in the aviation industry are advancing on many different levels. However, the central concern remains: will increased automation and technology truly enhance industry resilience, safety, and efficiency, or will it leave us more vulnerable? (...) For more information on this topic, please visit www.safetystartswith2.com
La Ligne 700 de mars 2024 est disponible
En ce mois de mars 2024, nous fêtons le 700ème numéro de La Ligne, une revue finalement aussi ancienne que le SNPL. C’est dire si elle a traversé plus d’un rebondissement historique durant ces sept décennies. Nous nous sommes plongés, pour l’occasion, dans les archives du syndicat afin de mieux vous faire connaître son évolution au fil des années tant sur le fond que sur la forme. La Cometec est à l’honneur dans ce numéro 700. Nous avons en effet interrogé deux de ses membres, issus de deux générations différentes de pilotes, afin d’en savoir plus sur ce qui les a poussés, à plusieurs décennies d’écart, à approfondir les aspects techniques du métier au profit de leurs collègues (...)
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.
Position Paper IFALPA: Dangerous Goods on RPAS and UAS
Whilst the transport of DG on manned aircraft is heavily regulated, in most States there is currently no set of regulations that controls how DG are transported by RPAS and UAS. The carriage of DG by RPAS and UAS should only take place at a level of safety equivalent to the one guaranteed by ICAO provisions for manned aircraft (...)