Position Paper IFALPA: Take-off Performance Considering Inversions
A rise of the OAT during climb-out at an inversion layer does happen often. Whenever there is a condition that the engines are operating at or close to the maximum flat rated temperature, a temperature rise leads to a loss of thrust. This can be in a range of 8-12% for a rise of 10°K (...)
Position Paper IFALPA: Weather Radar
There are multiple weather hazards that can be identified by a weather radar, e.g. thunderstorms, towering cumulus clouds, cumulonimbus clouds, clouds with potential icing, windshear. There is no plausible justification for an aircraft to be exposed to such hazards if it is carrying only crew and no passengers (...)
Position Paper IFALPA: Unapproved Techniques
It has been discovered that in past events, Operators have introduced techniques which were not in agreement with the Manufacturer’s recommendations. In one example, the NTSB determined1 "that the probable cause of this accident was the in-flight separation of the vertical stabilizer as a result of the loads beyond ultimate design that were created by the first officer’s unnecessary and excessive rudder pedal inputs (...)
Position Paper IFALPA: Preflight Checks
Thorough preflight checks are crucial for flight safety to eliminate possible threats. The list given by ICAO covers significant items, but it is missing two essential subjects: The purity of fuel and the cover of pitot tubes and static ports.
Position paper: Individual Flotation Devices
Some Regulators allow seat cushions instead of life vests as individual flotation devices. This includes takeoffs and landings at coastal or near-coastal airports. When in water, especially when cold or turbulent, it is much more difficult to hold on to a cushion for an extended period than to keep floating with a life vest.
Position Paper IFALPA: Safety in the event of a Failed or Released Propeller Blade
There have been several accidents which serve to illustrate the safety threat posed by a failed or released propeller blade. Some examples are listed below. No certification standards currently address this safety threat.
ECA Summer Disruption Checklist – ‘Defensive Flying’
Mise à jour de la checklist "Summer Disruption Checklist" publiée en 2022 par l'European Cockpit Association en fonction des préconisations du Safety Information Bulletin de l'EASA 2023_05
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: GNSS Interference at Mexico City
Over the past year, various operators have reported the loss of GNSS signal in the MMMX terminal area. GNSS signal jamming in MMMX could result in navigation errors and/or avionics system failures. While this impacts the approach phase of flight, the remaining threat to terminal operations still exists.
EASA Safety Information Bulletin – Possible Risks Emerging During Summer 2023
After two years of significant traffic reductions, the aviation industry in Europe experienced a strong recovery in summer 2022. However, the recovery came together with significant travel disruptions. Travel demands and traffic levels for summer 2023 are forecast to be significantly higher than in 2022. Air operators, aerodromes, ATM/ANS service providers, maintenance organisations, and training organisations continue to face significant challenges in having sufficient qualified personnel, availability of aircraft, spare parts, and traffic slots to cope with the increased demand. Precursors of possible disruptions have already been evident in April and May 2023 with some time to go until the peak of the summer operational season (...)
Press Release ITF/IFALPA: ITF and IFALPA achieve major progress on workers’ rights at ILO
LONDON, MONTREAL – The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) have secured significant steps forward in the goal to advancing labour standards at a tripartite meeting at the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland. The conclusions of the April meeting, which recommend measures to progress labour standards, will be formally adopted when approved by the ILO’s Governing Body later this year. The meeting brought government officials of ILO member countries and employers and workers’ representatives together to examine labour issues in the aviation industry. The goal was to discuss opportunities and challenges in occupational safety and health and the promotion of good jobs to shape the post-pandemic recovery of a sustainable aviation industry (...)