AIRCRAFT DESIGN AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
1. AEROPLANE PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS.
To review any aeroplane performance problems brought to the Committee’s attention. To review or develop relevant policy, provide information, or provide an appropriate brief for the external representatives.
1.1 Aircraft Performance, Evaluation and Certification (APEC).
To provide expertise on all issues related to aircraft evaluation and certification. Assist in the development of policy on all related performance issues and especially with reference to autospoiler/speedbrake retraction, crosswinds and the use of autopilots.
1.2 Autospoiler/Speedbrake Retraction.
To review and amend present policy on autospoiler/speedbrake retraction.
1.3 Autopilot.
To develop guidelines for the use of autopilot (coupled approaches) followed by a manual landing and develop policy on the landing increment to be used when using an autopilot.
1.4 Notional Weights.
To monitor the developments on notional weights calculations and standard values.
2. OBSTACLE CLEARANCE CRITERIA.
To continue to review developments in the ICAO OCP and related forums and develop policy as necessary.
3. CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN (CFIT).
To continue to review of the CFIT problem from the ADO perspective, with specific reference to the ICAO/FSF Task Force project, in co-ordination with the AA, HUPER and ATS Committees.
Remarks: AA Committee to provide accident/incident data; HUPER Committee to review pilot training aspects; ATS to review ATS-related aspects.
4. WIND SHEAR AND LOW LEVEL TURBULENCE.
4.1 Low Level Windshear, Turbulence and Wake Vortex (WIST WG).
To collate the work done on windshear and turbulence and wake vortices; produce a briefing handbook. To continue with the research and development programmes for wake vortices detection systems and other means of avoidance. To continue with the development of the Windshear and Turbulence Warning System (WTWS) in Hong Kong and similar systems elsewhere.
Remarks: The Committee working group should liaise with the manufacturers in the integration of ground warning systems with airborne systems, and the display of the warnings from such systems in the cockpit. (Agencies: Vendors – SAE S7 Committee) and participate (by correspondence) with the ICAO WIST SG particularly to achieve standardisation of terminology and phraseology for the warnings generated by ground-based systems.
5. GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEM.
To monitor plans to introduce GNSS procedures in the terminal area, specifically to evaluate the system’s all weather operations capability. To review developments in the ICAO GNSS Panel. To examine the operational aspects of an ‘embedded offset’ to increase the safety of a highly accurate air navigation system.
Remarks: In co-ordination with the ATS Committee
6. MICROWAVE LANDING SYSTEMS.
To monitor the work of the ICAO AWOP, OCP and other forums with regard to MLS. To advise the Federation of all significant developments at both national and international level. To review existing IFALPA policy to ensure consistency with the latest developments, including operational procedures being developed by ICAO.
Remarks: ATS Committee involved in MLS/ATC interface aspect.
7. FUTURE FLIGHT DECK SYSTEMS.
To review developments in advanced flight deck systems and ensure that any new systems provide timely information to the pilot and that the technical requirements are at least as high as the systems, if any, being replaced. This review should include, but not be limited to, TCAS, Take-off Performance Monitors (TOPM), Electronic Library Systems (ELS), RNAV and FMS.
Remarks: ATS Committee also covering TCAS. HUPER Committee concentrating on pilot training aspects of TCAS.
7.1 Head-Up Display (HUD) systems.
To develop policy and an acceptable means of compliance (AMC) for the use of HGS on civil airliners with the help of SAE ARPs / ARDs, and other material.
7.2 Warning System.
To work with the SAE S-7 Committee in developing ARPs/ARDs for warning systems. To take part in research and development programmes on integrated hazard warning systems.
8. REFUELLING WITH PASSENGERS ON BOARD.
To collate the information from the various authorities, associations and airlines and produce a policy document showing “best practice”.
8.1 Fuel Tank Explosions.
To monitor the issues surrounding fuel tank explosions including: maintenance, fuel type, fuel vapours, inerting tasks with nitrogen enriched air, ignition sources, costs versus safety and redesign of tanks and crew actions. Accidents include: B737 explosion in Manila 11/05/91, B747-100 after take off JFK 17/07/96 and B737-400 at Bangkok 03/03/01.
9. ACCIDENT SURVIVABILITY
To review the progress towards establishing improved national and international accident survivability certification criteria.
Remarks: In co-ordination with the AGE Committee work on RFF, etc.
9.1 Cabin / Cockpit Survivability.
To develop policy, guidelines and recommendations on all aspects of cabin / cockpit survivability based on the findings from recent accidents and other sources.
9.2 Design and Construction.
9.3 Cargo aircraft.
10. EXTENDED RANGE TWIN-ENGINE OPERATIONS (ETOPS)
To monitor the criteria being applied to new and existing aircraft for which ETOPS approval is sought. Policy developments on Early and Accelerated ETOPS are to be continued.
10.1 ETOPS 207 Minutes
To produce harmonised policy on the 207 ETOPS diversion time. To develop harmonised policy on all ETOPS issues for IFALPA and represent the Federation at external forums and promote ICAO SARPs on ETOPS.
11. LONG RANGE OPERATIONS (LROPS)
To develop harmonised IFALPA policy for Long Range Operations for all aircraft and produce the requirements for aircraft design, operation, maintenance and adequate airfields. To promote a single international regulation (ICAO SARPs) to cover LROPS.
Remarks: In co-ordination with the HUPER and IND Committees.
11.1 Crew Rest Areas
To continue the development of policies on crew rest areas.
Remarks: In co-ordination with the HUPER and IND Committees.
12. OPERATING MINIMA CRITERIA
To review developments with new system concepts and procedures.
12.1 AWOPS.
To develop harmonised policy on precision and non-precision approaches. To develop policy on approach bans.
13. CONTINUING AIRWORTHINESS
To monitor and advise as necessary on the work of the ICAO Airworthiness Panel (AIRP) and develop policy as required. To consider the degradation of systems which were assumed to be 100% operative during the certification process.
Remarks: AA Committee considering accidents due to inadequate regulatory overview.
13.1 Wiring
To assess the problem and whether it is related to all aircraft or just aged aircraft. To consider the recommendations and findings from the Swissair MD11 crash analysis. To develop policy and give recommendations as to how to proceed. To interact with other industry groups / agencies to solve the problems. To assess, and where appropriate, participate in research work and the development of new products. To consider changes to checklists to deal with electrical faults and avionics smoke. To produce education for line pilots.
13.2 Engine Certification.
14. ADO SECURITY ISSUES
To review operational issues in regard to security. To monitor and evaluate new developments regarding ADO related issues in ISAD. To review the current ISAD policies with regard to ADO issues, and to consider whether they require addition or amendment.
Remarks: In co-ordination with the SEC Committee
15. COCKPIT ENVIRONMENT AND CABIN AIR CIRCULATION SYSTEMS
To consider the total cockpit and cabin environment including the quantity of contaminants (e.g. ozone and carbon dioxide) in the air; humidity and its effects on fatigue; the amount of natural radiation, infrared and ultraviolet, entering the aircraft interior. The latter subject is included because of the work being undertaken by the SAE G-10 Committee. Additionally, this item covers the noise levels on the flight deck.
Remarks: In co-ordination with the HUPER Committee.
15.1 Cockpit Noise Levels.
To develop policy for an acceptable cockpit noise level based on research into noise levels in crew rest areas.
16. PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR AIRCRAFT BELOW 5700 kg (12500 lb) A.U.W.
The Committee is represented on the JAA Part 23 Study Group and will endeavour to upgrade the certification requirements for the affected regional / commuter aeroplanes.
17. AIRPORT CAPACITY ENHANCEMENTS.
To monitor the operational issues emanating from the ICAO CAEP and associated WGs.
17.1 Crosswind.
To promote the IFALPA policy that the maximum acceptable winds for non-operational reasons e.g. noise abatement procedures, runway capacity, etc, are limited to 15kts crosswind and 5kts tailwind in dry conditions. Develop guidelines for the use of coupled approaches (when to disconnect the autopilot) and manual landings in crosswind conditions.
Remarks: In co-ordination with the AGE Committee, to promote the IFALPA design criteria for airports, to prevent excessive x-winds (£ 13kts on 95% of occasions) to be used in designing new airports and / or runways.
18. CREW MULTI-TYPE QUALIFICATIONS.
To monitor the implementation of, and development in, Cross Crew Qualification and Mixed Fleet Flying.
Remarks: In co-ordination with the HUPER Committee.
19. FLIGHT IN ICING CONDITIONS.
In recognition of the continuing trend of accidents, specifically to turbo-prop aircraft, following an encounter with icing conditions, to review the present aircraft certification criteria and develop policy as required. To monitor the work of the AVPA In-flight Icing Certification Project Team.
19.1 Icing.
To develop more effective ways of educating the pilot community on the issues related to icing and produce guidelines / policy for aircraft holding on the ground and procedures for avoiding engine and airframe damage.
Remarks: In co-ordination with the AGE Committee
20. UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES.
Vacant
Core Activity: To improve air safety on a worldwide basis by influencing the design of air transport aircraft, their components, their performance and operation and to improve the working environment of the individual airline pilot.
The task of the ADO Committee is to:
- Detect, identify and monitor areas of interest, where input is required to influence the development of technology and/or procedures, to ensure a safe operating environment for the individual airline pilot, using the experience and expertise of its members.
- Develop Policies and Policy Statements on these items, associated with the design and operation of commercial air transport aeroplanes, as broadly defined by the contents of ICA0 Annexes 6 and 8, and associated ICAO documents, to be presented to the respective regulating bodies, authorities and operators, as well as to the interested public.
- Liaise with aircraft manufacturers, system designers and engineers, as well as scientific and regulating bodies, to enhance their understanding of the view and requirements of the airline pilots to improve the safety and operational effectiveness of air transport aviation.
- Develop proactive general statements and position papers for engineers, scientific and regulatory bodies, manufacturers and the general public on present and future developments to be made available for the public via the IFALPA media services.
- Enhance the expertise of the members of the committee and their respective Member Associations by using contacts at scientific, engineering and manufacturing bodies.
- Enhance the general standing of IFALPA, the airline pilots and their associations within the general public by the effort to improve air safety worldwide, as the stakeholder acting for the travelling public.
ADO Committee: Chairman:
This position is vacant, if anyone is interested in assisting in this position, please contact Cheryl Bailey at alpatech@mweb.co.za