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.
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/IFATCA: Disruption of Satellite-Based Signals
This paper supersedes 21POS07, of the same name. Modern air traffic relies heavily on the internal accuracy of aircraft systems and the aircraft's ability to monitor its own reliability. Satellite-based Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) services have been playing a growing part in the overall ATM system and aircraft are becoming more reliant on space-based signals (...)
Joint Press Release IFALPA-IFATCA-ITF : International Aviation Organizations Condemn Workplace Harassment and Violence
The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA), the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA), and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), are united in their condemnation of all forms of workplace harassment and violence. Workplace harassment happens in all sectors, all global regions, and in all industries. However, in a world shifting rapidly towards total condemnation of workplace harassment, aviation often lags behind other industries. (...)
Joint Position Paper IFALPA-ECA-IFATCA: Unauthorized Flying of Drones Near Airports
Drones have recently become more affordable to the public as their performance in terms of height, speed, and distance has greatly improved. Consequently, the hazard posed by the flying of unauthorized drones near airports worldwide has also increased. Available data indicate that the frequency of drone activity, both authorized and unauthorized, in the vicinity of airports continues to rise significantly (...)
Position Paper IFALPA: Use of Flight Recorders
IFALPA acknowledges the contribution of Flight Recorders to accident and serious incident investigation conducted by the relevant State Investigation Authorities in accordance with ICAO Annex 13..., however, in no circumstances should onboard recordings be made available for purposes other than accident or incident investigation.
Joint Briefing Leaflet IFALPA/IFATCA: Ankara-Nicosia FIR Boundary
This joint IFALPA-IFATCA Briefing Leaflet, written in close cooperation with IFALPA's Member Associations in Cyprus and Türkiye, details the communication procedures that pilots should be familiar with when flying around the Ankara-Nicosia FIR boundary.
Joint Position Paper IFALPA-IFATCA-IATA: Positive Security Culture
A new joint position from IFALPA, IFATCA, and IATA - The establishment of a positive security culture is a key component of aviation security. Understanding errors, mistakes, and unintentional actions, and allowing them to be reported in a non-punitive environment is essential to the identification and management of both existing and emerging security threats. IFALPA, IFATCA and IATA call for States and Operators to implement a positive security culture throughout the aviation industry, and make sure that it is reflected in all security-related documentation and procedures (...)
IFALPA & IFATCA Joint Statement: TCAS needs your helps
Following the recent EUROCONTROL report on TCAS RA compliance, IFALPA and IFATCA feel the need to send a reminder to the pilot and controller community.
CP/PR IFALPA : International Aviation Organizations IFALPA and IFATCA on Pakistan International Airlines Flight 8303 Preliminary Report
The aviation community grieves the tragic loss of lives aboard Pakistan International Airlines Flight 8303 on 22 May 2020. Our thoughts are with the families of those lost and the survivors who may still have a long road to recovery. We are extending our support to our Pakistani colleagues for whom this is undoubtedly a traumatic experience. The air transport industry is a complex system made up of people, procedures, and technology that interact to create the safest way to travel. The few accidents that occur are always a consequence of multiple factors, which combine in unprecedented ways to push a safe system over the edge towards a breakdown.