Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Use of Masks in the Cockpit

20 January 2022 - The use of face masks is currently recommended or compulsory in many countries, especially if social distancing is not possible. Many occupational health authorities, such as NIOSH1, require mask use if safe distances cannot be maintained while working in a small and closed environment.

Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Maintaining Safe Operations with Radar Altimeter Interference from 5G

This Safety Bulletin was created using the ALPA-International Safety Alert of the same name. The Federal Aviation Administration has issued Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for aircraft equipped with certain Radar (Radio) Altimeters prone to interference by 5G Wireless signals. In addition, the FAA has issued Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMS) for specific locations where the presence of 5G wireless signals will interfere with aircraft radar (radio) altimeters beginning January 19, 2022. The power levels and proximities of the 5G signals are at higher power levels than any other deployment currently in use elsewhere in the world.

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.

Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Winter Conditions at Finland Airports (update)

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. The attached UPDATED 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.