Joint IATA/IFALPA Statement on Fatigue Management
IFALPA and IATA have worked together to prepare a joint statement calling on Operators to return to the use of existing flight and duty time limits (FTLs) or an approved Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS), as international operations start to recover. ICAO introduced alleviations, or temporary exceptions to existing regulations, to support the continuation of urgent operations in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, extensions to FTLs were granted for rare and exceptional circumstances seen at the beginning of the pandemic. As the situation is now more predictable, Operators are encouraged to work within the existing FTLs, or approved FRMS, and make adaptive mitigations as necessary to avoid extensions.
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Use of Masks in the Cockpit
Currently, in many countries the use of face masks is recommended or compulsory especially if social distancing is not possible. In the recommendations of ICAO, CAPSCA, and IATA, the use of face masks in the cockpit while operating the aircraft has not been compulsory. When an operator makes a decision on mask use in the cockpit, it should involve a safety risk assessment. IFALPA's position is that flight crew should have the option to remove their mask in the cockpit when the door is closed in the interest of flight safety. This safety bulletin provides some factors that should be taken into consideration.
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: COVID-19 Guidance for Crews (update 8 December)
At all times, crews should follow the advice of their health authorities and operators. This Safety Bulletin provides general advice about COVID-19 as understood at the date of publication. It provides recommendations for crews for before the flight, during the flight and at layovers (update 8 December 2020).
Press Release IFALPA: States Urged to Follow Global Guidelines on Crew Testing
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) jointly called on governments to follow the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) guidelines to exempt crews from COVID-19 testing that is applied to air travelers. The CART guidelines specifically recommend that crew members should not be subject to screening or restrictions applicable to other travelers. Furthermore, according to CART health screening methods for crew members should be as “non-invasive as possible.”
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.
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.
Brèves internationales du SNPL France ALPA – Octobre/Novembre 2020
Safety Bulletin: (update) Winter Conditions at Northern Finland Airports
Please note: this paper supersedes 19SAB12 – Winter Conditions at Northern Finland Airports. 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. This 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.
Briefing Leaflet IFALPA: Fatigue Reporting Guidance
Whatever the cause of fatigue, flight safety must not be affected as a result. Flight Crew Members must not begin to carry out any task for a flight if, due to fatigue, they are or are likely to be, unfit to perform a task required of them during the flight.