Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Re-entry of Rocket Booster
This bulletin is for safety reasons only, in all cases, please follow the guidance of your company and state: China recently launched a Long March 5B rocket with plans to allow the first stage of the rocket booster to reenter earth’s atmosphere uncontrolled.
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: New Runway in Hong Kong & its Approach Procedure
Hong Kong International Airport is expanding to a three Runways System (3RS). Its third runway was completed in 2021. The new “North Runway” was scheduled to be opened on 8 July 2022 and the existing “Middle Runway” will be closed for reconstruction. Taxi times are expected to increase to and from the new runway (...)
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 (...)
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Mexico City International Airport (MMMX)
Mexico City International airport was declared as over capacity in 2014. As a result, the Santa Lucia Military Airbase (MMSM) has been developed into a mixed civil/military airport for simultaneous operations between MMMX and MMSM. MMSM opened 21 March 2022.
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Identifying Waypoints
Recently, an IFALPA pilot experienced what could have resulted in a navigational error after exiting the North Atlantic Oceanic airspace, headed eastbound. Pilots should maintain awareness that occasionally there may be Waypoints (WPs), intersections, fixes that are pronounced similarly, but spelled differently.
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Flying Into and Over Conflict Zones
As the war in Ukraine continues, the Federation is receiving worrying reports of military and non-military projectiles crossing FIRs adjacent to Ukrainian airspace. The latest event involved a UAS-type projectile crashing in the outskirts of Zagreb on 12 March, after flying through both the Bucharest and the Budapest FIRs.
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: GNSS Interference on Aircraft
GNSS signal interference (whether intentional or unintentional) can occur at any time, with or without prior notice. Flight Crews should be aware of the potential risk and plan for alternative procedures as necessary.
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 (...)
Flash Cometec n°4 « 5G et radioaltimètre : un point sur la situation »
Notre société moderne est en constante recherche de connectivité afin que les systèmes automatisés et appareils connectés puissent fonctionner 24h/24. Pour cela, elle a besoin d’élargir et d’améliorer son réseau internet mobile. C’est partant de ce postulat que la « 5G » a vu le jour. En novembre 2020, l’IFALPA (International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations), associée à l’IATA, a publié une note d’information de sécurité intitulée : "Problem statement - 5G interference with radar altimeter frequency band"), puis, début février 2021, la DGAC a publié sa propre note (n°2021/01). Ces informations de sécurité soulignent l'influence que pourrait avoir le réseau 5G sur les radioaltimètres de nos aéronefs. A la lecture de ces différents documents, la Cometec (Commission technique du SNPL France ALPA) fait le point sur la situation.