Position Paper IFALPA: Commercial Space Operations
IFALPA believes that whether an industry is emerging or well established, it should comply with the development of safety risk mitigations that would limit the impact to users. Freedom of navigation and equality of use must be maintained.
Position Paper IFALPA: Deployment of IFSOs in the Passenger Cabin of an Aircraft
In principle, IFALPA believes that firearms should never be allowed in the passenger cabin of commercial air transport aircraft as they represent a threat to aircraft safety and security. Nevertheless, the flight crew community accepts that States may mandate the deployment of armed In-Flight Security Officers (IFSOs) on board civil aircraft, subject to the provisions detailed in ICAO Annex 17, Chapter 4.7 and related Guidance Material in Doc 8973 (the Security Manual) Chapter 12.4 (...)
Position Paper IFALPA: Crew Member Security Aspects of an Operator’s Security Programme
Commercial flights are sometimes operated into areas and destinations where the security situation is very difficult to predict. Moreover, the situation in any country has the potential to change rapidly due to a sudden terrorist attack, civil unrest, or a natural disaster which can put both security and safety under threat (...)
Briefing Leaflet IFALPA: Visual Approach Considerations in the USA
This Briefing Leaflet aims to clarify the differences for Visual Approach operations in the USA for non-USA pilots in order for them to be better prepared to accept/reject them. It contains tables with an easy ‘checklist’ of actions and suggested scenarios followed by detailed procedures used in the US and things to watch out for (...)
Briefing Leaflet IFALPA: Pilots’ Responsibilities when Accepting Air Traffic Control Clearances
This concept must always be in the forefront of pilots’ minds during all aspects of operations including when receiving an air traffic control clearance, instruction, or authorization (“clearance”). Pilots must determine whether they are able to safely execute all aspects of any clearance received prior to accepting and executing that clearance. Pilots are obligated to inform air traffic control (ATC) if they are unable to accept a clearance as given. Pilots are also obligated to obtain an amended clearance at any time they are no longer able to execute a clearance that was previously accepted (...)
Briefing Leaflet IFALPA: Controlled Rest on the Flight Deck
17 December 2021 - The purpose of this briefing leaflet is to advise Member Associations of the guidance material available concerning procedures for Controlled Rest (CR) on the flight deck. It also gives information on the prerequisites when CR may be used.
Position Paper IFALPA on Positive Safety Culture
A genuine positive safety culture, including the associated non-punitive safety reporting and data collection systems, along with unbiased safety investigations, is an essential component of a Safety Management System. It values the philosophy that errors, mistakes, or unintentional actions, when reported, and used only for safety improvements, is the key to identifying and managing emerging hazards within an airline.
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: New Approaches for Haneda
The new RNAV approaches for Runways 16R&L at Tokyo/Haneda airport have been implemented since March 2020. These approaches are set at 3.45° angle and used exclusively. However, the PAPIs for both of these runways are set at 3° which are to be used for standard 3° approaches. As of 2 December 2021, in addition to the existing 3° PAPI, a new set of PAPI angled at 3.25° have been installed for the following reason.
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Aircraft Operations and Radar Altimeter Interference from 5G
This Safety Bulletin was created using the ALPA-International Safety Alert of the same name. Radar altimeter interference from 5G signals can take the form of loss of radar altitude information, or worse, incorrect radar altitude information unknowingly being generated. There have been fatal accidents associated with incorrect radar altitude, most recently Turkish Airlines flight 1951 in Amsterdam in 2009. The FAA have issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) intended to cover all transport category aircraft which will require an Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) revision effective 5 January 2022.
Position Paper IFALPA: Laser Attacks on Aircraft
The hazard posed by laser attacks against civil aircraft, specifically the deliberate targeting of flight crew with laser illumination to disrupt the safe operation of the aircraft, is a matter of increasing worldwide concern. Available data indicate that the frequency of laser attacks on civil aircraft continues to rise significantly. These strikes can result in distraction, disruption, disorientation and, in extreme cases, blindness and incapacitation.