[April 02, 2014]

MH370 - IFALPA calls on industry and regulators to mandate current technology

Last week, 400 leaders and representatives from pilot associations around the globe, representing over 100,000 pilots, gathered in Panama City, Panama, for the 69th Conference of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA). Following this event, the Federation has called upon the international aviation community to stress the importance of cooperation, complete transparency and adherence to the standards of ICAO Annex 13 for investigations into a serious aircraft incident or accident and Annex 19 for the protection of Safety Information.

"Speculation hampers and damages the progress of an investigation," said IFALPA's President, Captain Don Wykoff. Further, "this speculation utilizes resources diverting attention from the fact finding of the investigation." In addition, Captain Wykoff states that "in 2014, there is technology that can significantly enhance the ability to locate a missing aircraft. This technology must become the standard acros the industry."

Such technologies include: enhancements to the Underwater Locator Beacons (ULBs) required by ICAO Annex 6 Standards, through higher transmitting power and extended battery life; enhancements to Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs), including deployable types; more accurate and near real time position reporting of aircraft location via satellite; Controller Pilot Datalink Communications (CPDLC); Aircraft Communication and Reporting System (ACARS) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B).

IFALPA reasserts its commitment to working with key media outlets and spokespersons on the accident/incident investigation process and the negative ramifications of speculation. IFALPA also encourages ICAO to initiate a Study Group, which includes all stakeholders from industry and government, to evaluate new technologies and make recommendations for the use of these technologies to locate a missing aircraft.

Note to Editors: The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations represents in excess of 100,000 pilots in more than 100 countries world-wide. IFALPA's mission is to be the global voice of airline pilots, promoting the highest level of aviation safety and security world-wide and providing services, support and representation to all of its Member Associations.

See the Federation website www.ifalpa.org

For more information contact Valerie McLeod, IFALPA Communications Coordinator, at tel +1 514 419 1191 or [email protected]

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