Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Operations at Non-Towered Airports due to ATC Zero Conditions
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact flight operations ALPA, International have issued an Operations Bulletin concerning temporary reduced controller staffing or shut down at ATC facilities. The status of the facility during a closure is known as “ATC Zero.” When an Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) is ATC Zero, the airport remains open, but the airport reverts to non-towered operations and the airspace usually becomes Class G (uncontrolled) airspace.
Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Changes to In-Flight Contingency Procedures for Oceanic Airspace
The ICAO changes to the In-flight Contingencies for Oceanic Airspace come into effect 05 November 2020. Full details can be found in 20SAB08 – Special Procedures for In-Flight Contingencies in Oceanic Airspace. Attached here is an Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA-I) Operations Bulletin identifying special procedures for non-weather in-flight contingencies.
Position Paper IFALPA: Safe Small Commercial Unmanned Aircraft Operating Rules
Advances in technology have resulted in the introduction of large numbers of small unmanned aircraft (UA), especially in populated areas. Commercial use is only expected to continue to expand. Many countries have adopted or are considering adoption of rules governing the operation of these new aircraft, also commonly referred to as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or “drones.”
Position Paper IFALPA: Geometric Altitude
With the increasing equipage of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in commercial air transports, and the growing constellation of GNSS, the future use of Geometric Altitude throughout the flight profile might be possible and will bring added benefits such as reduced vertical separation and complementing trajectory flight paths. Geometric Altitude might be introduced above 15,000 metres because all aircraft able to reach these levels are GNSS equipped, but biggest benefit is seen during approach and departure. IFALPA supports research into a possible future transition from Barometric Altitude to using Geometric Altitude for sub transition level en route, and approach operations.
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.
CP/PR IFALPA : International Aviation Organizations IFALPA and IFATCA on Pakistan International Airlines Flight 8303 Preliminary Report
The aviation community grieves the tragic loss of lives aboard Pakistan International Airlines Flight 8303 on 22 May 2020. Our thoughts are with the families of those lost and the survivors who may still have a long road to recovery. We are extending our support to our Pakistani colleagues for whom this is undoubtedly a traumatic experience. The air transport industry is a complex system made up of people, procedures, and technology that interact to create the safest way to travel. The few accidents that occur are always a consequence of multiple factors, which combine in unprecedented ways to push a safe system over the edge towards a breakdown.
Position Paper IFALPA: Use of Transponder-Derived Data
11 décembre 2019 - The air transport industry is under constant pressure to increase airspace capacity and reduce separation minima without decreasing safety. One method to augment data derived by surveillance radar is Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS).