You can find below the list of position papers, briefing papers & safety bulletins issued by IFALPA since our last edition.

Special Procedures for In-Flight Contingencies in Oceanic Airspace

New procedures are applicable in the entire NAT Region and New York Oceanic West (WATRS) from 28th of March 2019, coincident with the trial of Advanced Surveillance-Enhanced Procedural Separation (ASEPS) using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) in the Shanwick, Gander and Santa Maria Oceanic Control Areas, and will subsequently replace those currently published in the PANS-ATM (ICAO Doc 4444). This IFALPA Safety Bulletin highlights the changes. Read more: https://bit.ly/2TSsqNk

Take-Off Performance Monitoring System

Take-off performance issues have been a contributing factor in a wide variety of serious incidents and accidents in recent years. IFALPA calls for technological improvements to address the problem and validate computed performance data, so that the crew can get confirmation that the calculated take-off thrust is within a safe range for the actual weight and weather conditions. Read more: https://bit.ly/2K7wgSn

Pregnancy and Flying

Pregnancy is a normal physiological condition and not an illness; however, associated physiological changes may affect a pilot’s performance. Risk factors may vary from one individual to another and depending upon the type of flying in question. The information provided in this Briefing Leaflet is meant to educate, not to dictate. Read more: https://bit.ly/2WxnT3C

Cabin Fumes

For most modern commercial jet aircraft, cabin air is taken directly from compressors in the engine compartments without filtering. Occasionally, oil fumes from the hot section of the engine and/or APU leak into this air, resulting in what is known as a fume event. A fume event may result in incapacitation of crew members and jeopardize flight safety, but some of the consequences of such leaks are still subject to debate. Read more: https://bit.ly/2S6W1Sj & https://bit.ly/2Ez79Em

Solar Panel Installations at Airports

Airports seem like an ideal environment for solar photovoltaic projects, as they are usually situated on flat terrain and encompass a large area of “unused” terrain between runways, taxiways, and buildings. The land close to and at the airport is often unsuitable for other use due to noise and environmental restrictions. However, there are potential risks associated with the use of solar photovoltaic installations at airports. Read more: https://bit. ly/2TNQf7P

NOTOCs

The NOtification TO Captain (NOTOC) is an essential document for flight crew. It is the sole source of information to assess the severity of an inflight incident involving dangerous goods carried as cargo. Various industry initiatives are pushing for an electronic NOTOC format, which raises a number of concerns. Read more: https://bit.ly/2TLnf0F

Remission Factor (re-defining RFF)

Adequate Rescue and Firefighting Services (RFF) are essential to ensure a high chance of survival in the event of an airplane accident. To ensure that proper RFF service is available, aerodromes are categorized by the type of operations. Certain airports make use of provisions that allow for a reduction in the required RFF, introducing additional risk to passengers and crew in the event of an incident or accident. Read more: https://bit.ly/2FM35A3

Electronic Flight Bags

An Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) is a system intended for flight crew functions traditionally accomplished using paper references such as operating manuals, aeronautical charts, and performance calculations. IFALPA favors the use of fixed systems (either a portable EFB with a mount or viewable stowage or an installed EFB) on the flight deck, preferably in an ergonomically optimal position. Read more: https://bit.ly/2CMpFGu

Accessibility of Cargo Compartments

Current ICAO provisions consider in-flight cargo accessibility as a factor in aircraft cargo compartment fire suppression requirements and items allowed to be carried in large all-cargo aircraft. This is, however, based on the assumption that all-cargo operators have specific fire suppression procedures not normally available on passenger flights. Read more: https://bit.ly/2OyyVmk

CCTV

The ongoing issue of unruly passengers has led the aviation industry to consider proposals to mandate the installation of a CCTV system in commercial transport aircraft and remote pilot stations. IFALPA generally supports this installation for both safety and security reasons, provided the system is for the sole use of the flight crew and no downlinking or recording takes place. Read more: https://bit.ly/2CHkXd5

Unruly Passengers

IFALPA notes the increasing number and severity of incidents involving unruly passengers on board aircraft worldwide. Despite the complexity of the issue, there are practical steps that can be taken to prevent and manage unruly passenger incidents, and which can contribute to increased safety. Read more: https://bit.ly/2uC4Fhi

Use of Social Media by Pilots

Social media has blurred the line between our professional and personal lives. Posting a status update or short comment may seem innocuous, but what pilots do and say on social media may have serious consequences. IFALPA is concerned with the potential risk taken by pilots who may unknowingly put their flying career, and that of their colleagues, in jeopardy. Read more: https://bit.ly/2UEQHHr

Unescorted Passengers on the Apron

FALPA has been made aware that, at some airports, passengers are able to walk on the apron unescorted and unsupervised on their way between the aircraft and the terminal building. This situation not only contravenes international Standards but also presents unacceptable safety and security risks. Read more: https://bit.ly/2YAQvuG

Behavioural Detection as a Security Measure

One of aviation security’s main challenges is to adapt to new threats and develop new methods to mitigate them. One promising technique is Behavioural Detection, a method which works in addition to existing aviation security measures. It uses trained analysts in the airport environment to identify individuals who may represent a threat. It focuses exclusively on a person’s intent and is independent of any new product emerging as a threat to aviation security. Read more: https://bit.ly/2I38jss

PEDs in Passenger Checked Baggage

Data demonstrates significant fire risk to commercial aircraft when Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) are placed in checked baggage. The risk is not new but has so far been considered acceptable. However, tests have demonstrated serious risks when a single lithium battery installed in a PED goes into thermal runaway inside a checked passenger baggage that also contains other allowable dangerous goods. The seriousness of this risk should not be underestimated. Read more: https://bit.ly/2OA1BLW

Secondary Barriers

There are times when operational necessity requires that the flight deck door is opened in flight. This represents a vulnerability that should be addressed. Further enhancement of flight deck door security is the fitting of a secondary barrier such as a system and procedure with the ability to delay and effectively deter unauthorised persons from entering the flight deck when the door is open. Read more: https://bit.ly/2OAcwFn

UAS/Drone Security

This Security-specific Position Paper on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) – which should be read in conjunction with the general IFALPA Position Paper 17POSO8 – Unmanned Aircraft Systems (https://bit.ly/2VXSlEw) – provides detailed guidelines on both regulated UAS and UAS for which Regulation is either limited, not possible, or non-existent. As Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) are a subset of UAS, the provisions also apply to RPAS. Read more: https://bit.ly/2THIvUZ