International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations
Encyclopedia
The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) was created during a conference of pilots' associations held in London
in April 1948 for the express purpose of providing a formal means for the airline pilots of the world to interact with the then newly formed UN body the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO). The belief then was that the unique perspective of pilots operating in scheduled flying would be of critical benefit to the creation and adaptation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) through which ICAO regulates international civil aviation. This belief holds true today backed up by over 60 years of experience. From this founding element, membership of the Federation has grown to over 104 Member Associations representing well in excess of 100,000 airline pilots worldwide.
(IATA) and Airports Council International (ACI) are the only organizations granted permanent observer status to the ICAO Air Navigation Commission (ANC). In terms of significance, this is one of the major accomplishments of IFALPA. Among the many activities of IFALPA the one most familiar to our members is our accident investigation and support work. When an accident occurs, the accident investigation expertise of IFALPA is quickly brought into play. Both investigation and representation skills are frequently required, particularly if the flight crew has survived the accident. All pilots benefit by ensuring that all the factors underlying the accident are properly identified and resolved. If properly done, each accident investigation can result in significant improvements to aviation safety. Experience has shown that the involvement of properly trained and experienced Line Pilot investigators early in the investigation process is essential to a full and complete investigation and analysis.
of pilot investigators who will provide the most professional contribution to any state investigation. These accredited representatives understand pilot culture, human factors
and operations and as such are a valuable asset to any investigation. They are also valuable in determining recommendations that will be effective in preventing recurrences and in promoting aviation safety. All candidates go through an approved international accident investigation course and their training, qualifications and experience is carefully reviewed by IFALPA.
and the carriage of dangerous goods
. Obviously, these two subjects are still at the forefront of IFALPA's concerns and continue to demand close attention. When dealing with such issues IFALPA is able to act in cooperation with industry and government.
, Boeing
and Embraer
and has had significant input into the design and modification of the newer products - a tradition which goes back to the DC-8 introduction and continues with IFALPA's input into the Airbus A380
, Embraer 170/190 and Boeing 787
aircraft. Representatives of the manufacturers are regular attendees at IFALPA technical committee meetings, where open discussion on operation of the various models is encouraged for the benefit of all.
(RVSM) in the North Atlantic, and the subsequent implementation by Eurocontrol in domestic Europe
an airspace. In addition IFALPA has been closely involved in RVSM implementation in Asia
as well as the Caribbean
and South America
. Looking to the future the Federation is playing an active role in RVSM development in Africa
To address the risks of mid air collisions, IFALPA has long advocated installation of ACAS equipment and mandatory procedures for both pilots and controllers when a resolution advisory is issued by the equipment.
s. In addition to airport design, operating procedures and future technology, IFALPA has focused on airport capacity
enhancement procedures which seemed to greatly increase the risk of collision by the reduction of safety margins inherent in the procedure design.
(ILS). That this guidance system was eventually installed at most international airports was, at least in part, due to vigorous worldwide campaigns by IFALPA.
controller, and also drafting what eventually became the standard format for radiotelephone reporting. IFALPA secured, via ICAO, the systematized allocation of alpha-numeric call signs.
IFALPA also actively participates in the ICAO AVSEC Panel and related working groups to develop amendments to ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for Annex 17 (Security) and the AVSEC Manual. IFALPA members advise National and Regional Authorities on the development of operational and training guidelines in aviation security.
at Chek Lap Kok (CLK) was an opportunity for IFALPA to provide input into the planning of one of the world's major new airports. The Federation worked hard for its say and, in doing so, highlighted many of its operational concerns worldwide. IFALPA made significant design inputs into the airport, including renaming the stands, apron markings and visual aid signs, and also had input into CLK's airportdocking guidance system. IFALPA influenced operational decisions at CLK through its involvement on a variety of groups and subgroups, including: the New Airport Safety Committee (NASC), the Visual Aids Working Group (VAWG) and Windshear and Turbulence Warning System Working Group. IFALPA has also influenced airports elsewhere, with extensive work carried out by committees and local pilot associations in relation to Amsterdam's Schiphol and Germany's Munich airports.
is the highest decoration associated with civil aviation
, awarded by IFALPA to airline crews in recognition for acts of exceptional airmanship, heroic action or a combination of these two attributes. In extraordinary cases, passengers may as well obtain this award for their heroism http://www.ifalpa.org/Press%20Release/06PRL004.pdf. The awards are presented every year on IFALPA's annual conference.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in April 1948 for the express purpose of providing a formal means for the airline pilots of the world to interact with the then newly formed UN body the International Civil Aviation Organization
International Civil Aviation Organization
The International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
(ICAO). The belief then was that the unique perspective of pilots operating in scheduled flying would be of critical benefit to the creation and adaptation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) through which ICAO regulates international civil aviation. This belief holds true today backed up by over 60 years of experience. From this founding element, membership of the Federation has grown to over 104 Member Associations representing well in excess of 100,000 airline pilots worldwide.
Influencing ICAO
Virtually every part of the Operating Specifications of ICAO has been influenced to some degree by IFALPA pilot representatives. Their contribution may be as obvious as drafting entire sections of an Annex which is subsequently adopted, or as subtle as prevailing in an argument for or against a proposal in one of the many ICAO Technical Panels. In either case, the end result is the same. The continuing input of Line Pilots brings reality and balance to what can, at times, be the intensely political and economic process of drafting operating conditions for the airlines of the world. When procedural change does or does not happen, it is significant for aviation safety. Equally, when a technological solution for a persistent problem is finally mandated, safety is improved. In both instances, IFALPA pilots will have been involved for many hours, presenting and advocating the Line Pilot point of view.ANC Observer Status
IFALPA, International Air Transport AssociationInternational Air Transport Association
The International Air Transport Association is an international industry trade group of airlines headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where the International Civil Aviation Organization is also headquartered. The executive offices are at the Geneva Airport in SwitzerlandIATA's mission is to...
(IATA) and Airports Council International (ACI) are the only organizations granted permanent observer status to the ICAO Air Navigation Commission (ANC). In terms of significance, this is one of the major accomplishments of IFALPA. Among the many activities of IFALPA the one most familiar to our members is our accident investigation and support work. When an accident occurs, the accident investigation expertise of IFALPA is quickly brought into play. Both investigation and representation skills are frequently required, particularly if the flight crew has survived the accident. All pilots benefit by ensuring that all the factors underlying the accident are properly identified and resolved. If properly done, each accident investigation can result in significant improvements to aviation safety. Experience has shown that the involvement of properly trained and experienced Line Pilot investigators early in the investigation process is essential to a full and complete investigation and analysis.
Accredited Accident Investigator Scheme
IFALPA has developed the "Accredited Accident Investigator (AAI) Scheme", which involves the accreditationAccreditation
Accreditation is a process in which certification of competency, authority, or credibility is presented.Organizations that issue credentials or certify third parties against official standards are themselves formally accredited by accreditation bodies ; hence they are sometimes known as "accredited...
of pilot investigators who will provide the most professional contribution to any state investigation. These accredited representatives understand pilot culture, human factors
Human factors
Human factors science or human factors technologies is a multidisciplinary field incorporating contributions from psychology, engineering, industrial design, statistics, operations research and anthropometry...
and operations and as such are a valuable asset to any investigation. They are also valuable in determining recommendations that will be effective in preventing recurrences and in promoting aviation safety. All candidates go through an approved international accident investigation course and their training, qualifications and experience is carefully reviewed by IFALPA.
Co-operation between Member Associations
Positive co-operation between Member Associations in times of need continues to be an invaluable benefit of IFALPA membership. Many examples of this strength occur on a regular basis with IFALPA heading up teams of Incident and Accident Specialists, or giving other assistance, while providing these services at a moment's notice.Criminal Prosecution
At the same time, a different set of IFALPA representatives have attempted to assist flight crew members who have been involved in an accident and face criminal, regulatory or disciplinary action as a result of an accident. The ability of the various Member Associations to provide assistance post-accident to their fellow IFALPA members may be considered one of the greatest benefits of membership in IFALPA to the average Line Pilot.Major IFALPA Achievements
The following are examples of major achievements gained by the work of Line Pilots.Cockpit Instrumentation
In 1955, as a result of an accident investigation, a Line Pilot was instrumental in the development of instrument comparators. A year on, the IFALPA Cockpit Standardisation Study Group adopted the "Basic T" instrument layout as its policy and convinced ICAO to make the design a worldwide standard for cockpit instrumentation layout.Hijacking and Carriage of Dangerous Goods
As early as 1960, IFALPA was leading the industry in concern over aircraft hijackingAircraft hijacking
Aircraft hijacking is the unlawful seizure of an aircraft by an individual or a group. In most cases, the pilot is forced to fly according to the orders of the hijackers. Occasionally, however, the hijackers have flown the aircraft themselves, such as the September 11 attacks of 2001...
and the carriage of dangerous goods
Dangerous goods
Dangerous goods are solids, liquids, or gases that can harm people, other living organisms, property, or the environment. They are often subject to chemical regulations. "HazMat teams" are personnel specially trained to handle dangerous goods...
. Obviously, these two subjects are still at the forefront of IFALPA's concerns and continue to demand close attention. When dealing with such issues IFALPA is able to act in cooperation with industry and government.
Aircraft Manufacturer Relationships
IFALPA enjoys excellent relationships with AirbusAirbus
Airbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac, France, surburb of Toulouse, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners....
, Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
and Embraer
Embraer
Embraer S.A. is a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate that produces commercial, military, and executive aircraft and provides aeronautical services....
and has had significant input into the design and modification of the newer products - a tradition which goes back to the DC-8 introduction and continues with IFALPA's input into the Airbus A380
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Due to its size, many airports had to modify and improve facilities to accommodate it...
, Embraer 170/190 and Boeing 787
Boeing 787
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It seats 210 to 290 passengers, depending on the variant. Boeing states that it is the company's most fuel-efficient airliner and the world's first major airliner to use...
aircraft. Representatives of the manufacturers are regular attendees at IFALPA technical committee meetings, where open discussion on operation of the various models is encouraged for the benefit of all.
Aerodrome Signage
On the subject of airports, the signage seen around the world today is largely the product of an IFALPA development project which was ultimately adopted by ICAO as the international standard. This standard was a quantum improvement in aids to navigation while taxiing and undoubtedly has prevented many ground collisions caused by disorientation on the airport surface.Extended Range Operations
IFALPA has worked with both European and North American regulators and manufacturers to develop comprehensive standards for extended range operations for both twin engine aircraft and, more recently, all aircraft operating over remote polar regions.RVSM and ACAS
IFALPA was fully involved in the initial implementation of Reduced Vertical Separation MinimaReduced Vertical Separation Minima
Reduced Vertical Separation Minima or Minimum is an aviation term used to describe the reduction of the standard vertical separation required between aircraft flying above FL285 and up to FL410 from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet...
(RVSM) in the North Atlantic, and the subsequent implementation by Eurocontrol in domestic Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an airspace. In addition IFALPA has been closely involved in RVSM implementation in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
as well as the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. Looking to the future the Federation is playing an active role in RVSM development in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
To address the risks of mid air collisions, IFALPA has long advocated installation of ACAS equipment and mandatory procedures for both pilots and controllers when a resolution advisory is issued by the equipment.
Runway Incursions
The same can be said of ongoing efforts to minimise the risk of collisions on the airport surface, commonly called runway incursionRunway incursion
A runway incursion is an incident where an unauthorized aircraft, vehicle or person is on a runway. This adversely affects runway safety, as it creates the risk that an airplane taking off or landing will collide with the object...
s. In addition to airport design, operating procedures and future technology, IFALPA has focused on airport capacity
enhancement procedures which seemed to greatly increase the risk of collision by the reduction of safety margins inherent in the procedure design.
Aircraft Performance
In the field of performance, IFALPA has consistently injected the views of the pilot at all points and over a sustained period. In the 1950s operators failed to allow fully for the excessive effect of wet runways on jet aircraft. This effect was not satisfactorily compensated for by the discounting of reverse thrust credit and the result was an undue number of landing overruns or aborts on wet runways. It took from the 1950s until the 1990s to get wet-runway accountability universally into State airworthiness regulations. That it did get there was certainly due in large measure to IFALPA.Approach and Runway Lighting
From the 1950s, progress in the field of lighting was steady and, to a large extent, made under conditions in full cooperation between IFALPA, IATA and the ICAO States. IFALPA contributed to these achievements step-by-step; from approach lighting, to visual approach indicators, to narrow gauge runway lights and, finally, to taxiway lighting.Instrument Landing System
What has been said regarding approach lighting can certainly be repeated in the case of the instrument landing systemInstrument Landing System
An instrument landing system is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during instrument...
(ILS). That this guidance system was eventually installed at most international airports was, at least in part, due to vigorous worldwide campaigns by IFALPA.
Procedural Matters
IFALPA's achievements in the operational field, though involving less conspicuous campaigns than those mentioned above, were nevertheless very significant. For example, IFALPA contributed greatly in developing procedures for co-ordinating responsibilities as between pilot and radarRadar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
controller, and also drafting what eventually became the standard format for radiotelephone reporting. IFALPA secured, via ICAO, the systematized allocation of alpha-numeric call signs.
Security
After the events of September 11, 2001, IFALPA became a founding member of the Global Aviation Security Action Group (GASAG), an industry group established to co-ordinate the global aviation industry’s inputs to achieve an effective worldwide security system and ensure public confidence in civil aviation. GASAG was instrumental in providing a consolidated view on aviation security improvements, in particular regarding cockpitdoors, Air Marshals and training issues.IFALPA also actively participates in the ICAO AVSEC Panel and related working groups to develop amendments to ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for Annex 17 (Security) and the AVSEC Manual. IFALPA members advise National and Regional Authorities on the development of operational and training guidelines in aviation security.
Airport Planning
The building of Hong Kong's airportHong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport , being built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation, and also to distinguish it from its predecessor, the closed Kai Tak Airport.The airport opened for commercial...
at Chek Lap Kok (CLK) was an opportunity for IFALPA to provide input into the planning of one of the world's major new airports. The Federation worked hard for its say and, in doing so, highlighted many of its operational concerns worldwide. IFALPA made significant design inputs into the airport, including renaming the stands, apron markings and visual aid signs, and also had input into CLK's airportdocking guidance system. IFALPA influenced operational decisions at CLK through its involvement on a variety of groups and subgroups, including: the New Airport Safety Committee (NASC), the Visual Aids Working Group (VAWG) and Windshear and Turbulence Warning System Working Group. IFALPA has also influenced airports elsewhere, with extensive work carried out by committees and local pilot associations in relation to Amsterdam's Schiphol and Germany's Munich airports.
Airport Liaison Representative Scheme
The Federation has recently launched the Airport Liaison Representative (ALR) Scheme. The objective of the ALR Scheme is to enhance safety at all airports served by IFALPA pilots by building a rapport with airport personnel in order that airport safety issues can be identified and addressed before they become a safety threat.Polaris Award
The Polaris AwardPolaris Award
The Polaris Award is the highest decoration associated with civil aviation, awarded by the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations to airline crews in recognition for acts of exceptional airmanship, heroic action or a combination of these two attributes. In extraordinary cases,...
is the highest decoration associated with civil aviation
Civil aviation
Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation, both private and commercial. Most of the countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization and work together to establish common standards and recommended practices...
, awarded by IFALPA to airline crews in recognition for acts of exceptional airmanship, heroic action or a combination of these two attributes. In extraordinary cases, passengers may as well obtain this award for their heroism http://www.ifalpa.org/Press%20Release/06PRL004.pdf. The awards are presented every year on IFALPA's annual conference.