Air Traffic Services (ATS)
Ensuring safe and effective global air navigation through collaboration and pilot expertise
Safe and reliable air navigation systems are essential to managing workload, maintaining situational awareness, and ensuring effective communication in all phases of flight—especially as technologies and procedures rapidly evolve. Changes in ATM, CNS, meteorology, and search and rescue services must remain practical, harmonized, and aligned with real-world operations to avoid introducing new risks.
IFALPA addresses these challenges by working with ICAO ATM panels and international stakeholders to represent the pilot perspective in the development of global standards and procedures. By actively monitoring emerging technologies and operational changes, IFALPA helps ensure that modernization enhances safety, supports operational effectiveness, and reflects the realities of flight operations.
Navigation & Procedure
GNSS Integrity & Navigation
The Future ATM
Failure of Radio Communications
Advancing Air Navigation Through Pilot Expertise
Pilots’ operational expertise is essential to the development of global air navigation standards, procedures, and concepts, ensuring that the realities of flight operations are fully reflected in the evolution of air traffic services.
Building on this foundation, IFALPA works across key areas including navigation, system resilience, ATM innovation, and the safe integration of new airspace users. This engagement includes high-impact initiatives such as advanced procedures like Required Navigation Performance Visual Prescribed Track (RNP VPT) approaches, as well as the continued development of airborne collision avoidance systems (TCAS).
Through close collaboration with ICAO and industry stakeholders, IFALPA promotes practical, harmonized solutions that strengthen safety and ensure that changes to the air navigation system remain operationally sound, effective, and suitable for line operations.
Latest Publications
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
IFALPA Positions on Implementation of the Future of Air Traffic Operations
The IFALPA Positions on Implementation of the Future of Air Traffic Operations (IFATO) – Fifth Edition – consolidates IFALPA’s published
Remote Towers
This paper examines the safety and operational impacts of Remote Towers, emphasizing new risks created by their reliance on continuous
Phraseology Related to the Transfer of Control and Communication
This paper addresses the misuse of CPDLC phraseology in air traffic control, emphasizing that only the command “Contact” ensures a
Confusion on Oceanic Clearance Removal (OCR) Procedures for NAT Traffic
No abstract is currently available. Please click on Download to view this publication in PDF.
Implementation of Oceanic Clearance Removal – North Atlantic Except for Shanwick
No abstract is currently available. Please click on Download to view this publication in PDF.
Meet the Team
Capt. Paul Vissers
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Capt. Vissers flies the A320 series at EasyJet. He has chaired the ATM working group at the European Cockpit Association and was appointed expert participating in the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) development phase
Capt. Stefan Fiedler
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Capt. Fiedler flies the B737 NG for TUIFLY out of Nuremberg. He is Chairman of the German Air Traffic Services Committee, and a representative to ICAO for PNBSG, and CFG.
Pascual Álvarez del Castillo Sosa
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SFO Sosa flies the B787 for AEROMEXICO. He is Chairperson of ASPA de México Air Traffic Services (ATS) Committee, and IFALPA representative to ICAO for OPDLWG.
Capt. Ron Hay
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Captain Hay flies the A350 for Delta Air Lines, based in Los Angeles. He has been an instructor and line pilot for over 35 years with four different airlines. He has served IFALPA as EVP AMF, RVP US/CEP, and as Negotiations Seminar instructor. At ALPA-I, Captain Hay negotiated several pilot contracts to include the merger of Northwest and Delta Air Lines. He has also served as a local council representative, as well as on multiple committees including Merger, Grievance, Strategic Planning, and Government Affairs.