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 (...)
Position Paper IFALPA: Two-way Communications between the Flight Crew and the Operator and their Operations Centre
Many of the commercial transport aircraft have two-way communications between the flight crew and their operator and Operational Control Centre (OCC). One such system is the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) which enables the exchange of messages between the flight crew and their maintenance departments and airline dispatch while in flight. There are other ways such as Satellite communication via the SAT Phone and onboard WIFI as well as HF or additional VHF (...)
Position Paper IFALPA: Loss of Communication with ATC
The tragic events of 11 September 2001 have drastically changed the way in-flight security incidents are managed. National Security Agencies are more reactive to any indication that could lead to security concerns, such as the prolonged loss of radio communication with ATC, also known as COMLOSS, but there is no consistency worldwide in the way these occurrences are addressed. In some countries, COMLOSS events have resulted in unnecessary interceptions of aircraft and/or administrative sanctions against the pilots involved, which will not solve the problem. In today’s complex radio communications environment, COMLOSS can be triggered by a number of factors, and these should be fully taken into account prior to any State reaction.
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Operations in US Class A Airspace Without ATC Communications or ATC Surveillance
As part of its contingency planning for the closure of air traffic control facilities, also termed “ATC Zero” (ATC-0), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is utilizing an airspace management strategy that allows operations during ATC-0 situations in Class A airspace. The ATC-0 operations are conducted without the availability of air traffic control (ATC) services, including aircraft-to-aircraft separation, ATC surveillance, and air-to-ground communications with air traffic controllers at an ATC facility such as an Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). Flight crews will generally be on their own to maintain safety in ATC-0 airspace.
Position Paper IFALPA: The Use of Satellite Voice Communications (SATVOICE) for Air Traffic Control Operations
The discussion of expanding Satellite Voice Communications (SATVOICE) into the realm of Direct Controller - Pilot Communications (DCPC) and as a sole source of Long Range Communications Systems (LRCS) is evolving. Many shortcomings have been identified and specifications for new system development needs to resolve these shortcomings before SATVOICE can be approved as a substitute means of communication. The limitations of current systems must be accounted for and the risks mitigated. The areas include Human Machine Interface (HMI), DCPC, ATC Vectoring, Call priorities, Satellite limitations, avionics limitations, flight plans, and Short Code implementation.