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Dear Colleagues and Friends,
It has been a couple months now since our resoundingly successful conference in Abu Dhabi. I was honoured to be re-elected to the position of Executive Vice-President Technical, and I look forward to serving IFATCA and its Member Associations for the next 2 years.
As the summer season starts in the northern hemisphere, most of us are either working busy shifts or enjoying a well-deserved vacation. In the background, the activities that our various volunteers undertake for the advancement and advocacy of our profession are back in full swing, using the guidance and policies that were accepted by you, our IFATCA family. The Executive Board continues to meet every two weeks over the summer, co-ordinating with each other and laying plans for the coming year.
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The key to our success as a federation is the volunteers. Whether they serve on a Standing Committee, Task Force or in any other capacity, we stand on the shoulders of giants, who have afforded IFATCA a reputation and position that is significantly more powerful than our size would suggest. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have donated your valuable time and insights so that we can further the interests of our profession together.
The Technical and Operational Committee (TOC) and the Professional and Legal Committee (PLC) are gearing back up to meet in the Netherlands in October. All the members of the Committees have their briefs and are working hard on the first drafts of the papers that will be submitted for your consideration at the next annual conference in Bucharest. The working programme set at conference has seen some extra additions and the docket is quite full. A challenge that both TOC and PLC are sure to relish. The interest expressed at conference to participate in TOC and PLC was unprecedented, thanks to all MAs who ran for election as well as to those who are now associated as corresponding members.
The technical issue of GPS spoofing and jamming, also referred to as GNSS Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), is attracting a lot of attention. The consequences of disrupted navigational data are complex, and various issues can affect a flight downstream from the interference first occurring. Our representatives are working hard to be a part of the discussions on how best to deal with these issues and hopefully there will be avenues for quick changes to mitigate some of the more dangerous scenarios associated with GNSS RFI.
In TOC Task Force news, our Digital ATS TF (formerly known as Remote Tower Task Force) has been invited to provide an explainer of their work in a webinar organised by our EVP Africa & Middle East, Ahmad Abba. This is part of a series of webinars that spotlighted the various committees, task forces and EB members and gives them a chance to highlight their important and interesting work to the MAs in the AFM region.
This foreword is too short to mention all the other activities that are being undertaken, but our ICAO panel reps, environmental working group and SESAR reps are also hard at work for IFATCA. As September and October approach, we get closer to meeting each other again at the Executive Board Meeting, Standing Committee Meetings and the various regional meetings. I cannot tell you how much I look forward to seeing you all again.
Benjamin van der Sanden
Executive Vice President Technical |
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July Executive Board Meeting
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IFATCA at Flight Safety Forum
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The 12th Safety Forum took place on June 5–6, 2025, at EUROCONTROL headquarters in Brussels. The Flight Safety Foundation organised the Forum in collaboration with EUROCONTROL and the European Regions Airline Association. The theme of the 2025 Safety Forum was “People in the Centre of Aviation Safety”.
By Zeljko Oreski (IFATCA Mental Wellbeing Task Force stream lead) attended for IFATCA
READ MORE HERE
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EUROCONTROL Stakeholder Forum no one left behind: building the next generation of ATM
Betsy Beaumont (EDI TF cochair) represented IFATCA at this webinar. At a time when many MA’s are below staffing numbers, it is imperative that IFATCA encourages the next generation to seek out and become a part of our profession, by making ourselves more visible. At the same time, it’s vital to make our current workforce feel safe, seen and most importantly valued. This panel of experts was focused on the future and emphasized that people are our most important asset. It was an outstanding hour of conversation, education and enlightenment. We are helping to mould the future of ATM.
Panelists:
- Elisabeth (Betsy) Beaumont, Co-Chair, EDI Task Force, IFATCA
- Conor Mullan, CANSO Executive Committee DEI Champion & Managing Director, Think
- Gauthier Sturtzer, Chair, ATM Committee, European Transport Workers’ Federation
- Milena Bowman, Executive Manager, Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre, EUROCONTROL
Moderator: Philip Hughes, EUROCONTROL’s Head of Aviation Planning
Did you miss the webinar?
Webinar Link Here
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IFATCA’s Deputy President, Jean-François Lepage, attended the 2025 CATCA, Canadian Air Traffic Control Association, Convention in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada).
He offered a presentation to the CATCA membership on the objectives and work of IFATCA, the Federation’s presence at ICAO and the importance of nurturing strong ties and collaboration between Member Associations and IFATCA.
IFATCA’s Liaison Officer to the ICAO ANC, David Perks, moderated the international panel, titled ‘Other perspectives in Aviation and ATC’, featuring Nick Daniels (President, NATCA USA), Captain Tim Perry (President, ALPA Canada), and Mike Reed (Chair, ATCOs Branch, Prospect UK).
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IFALPA ATS Committee, Bangkok, 3rd-5th June 2025
This was another productive meeting of the IFALPA ATS Committee. Generously hosted by Thai Air Line Pilots Association, and Aerothai in BKK airport. The meeting of 35 active airline pilots and observers was again efficiently chaired by Capt Paul Vissers. Kimmo Koivula, IFATCA´s appointed observer in the Committee was joined by Rick Taylor and Philippe Domogala for their specific topics of ICAO ATMOPS Panel and GNSS Interference issues.
Especially GPS spoofing is causing severe effects to several systems used in aviation, not just navigation.
Besides impressive visits to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Tower and Approach Control, Aerothai representatives presented a BOBCAT ATFM system, and results of a local survey on SID/STAR phraseologies. This related to worldwide, everlasting challenges in pilot-controller communications regarding the validity of published SID or STAR constraints.
Other topics in the comprehensive agenda included CPDLC transfer of communications , Performance-Based Navigation, SATVOICE, Remote Towers, as well as Environmental improvements and regional updates. IFATCA continues the close and invaluable co-operation with IFALPA ATS committee to ensure efficient, and most importantly safe civil aviation.
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The first online meeting of the 2025-2026 IFATCA Finance Committee (FIC) was held on 1st of June. The discussion focussed on working papers and assigned responsibilities to members. All members were present. The next online meeting is scheduled for 1st of September and the FIC/CAC face-to-face meeting will take place in Brisbane, Australia on 1st and 2nd of December, kindly hosted by Industry Partner, Frequentis.
Working Papers for FIC include:
– Review the annual subscription rates and membership categorisation.
– In conjunction with EVP-Finance, review the Gold Book.
– Review IFATCA’s financial policies for relevance and alignment with current best practices.
– Research the feasibility of accepting cryptocurrency transfer as a medium for the annual subscription payment.
– Clarify the conditions governing access to the Financial Circumstances Fund.
– Review the circumstances surrounding a member association in financial distress due to unforeseen circumstances.
Plus job card request by GDF: that FIC investigate the use of IFATCA’s cash reserves in different areas.
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IFATCA’s Constitution and Administration Committee (CAC) held their first virtual meeting of the year at the start of the month. During the meeting they discussed and distributed the work programme for the year.
The FIC/CAC face-to-face meeting will take place in Brisbane, Australia on 1st and 2nd of December, kindly hosted by Industry Partner, Frequentis.
This is made up of:
– Review the definitions of WP, IP and report
– IAM complete overhaul
– Prospective new MA membership application checklist
– Definitions update to include «REVP elect»
– Review limitations to application for Financial Circumstances Fund
– Process for handling late nominations to EB roles
– Use of alternative (automatic) means to establish quorum, automatic voting, counting and establishing results
– IAM editorial changes and maintenance
– Other working papers to provide advice to the membership on admin and constitution issues
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IFATCA’s Technical and Operational Committee (TOC) held their first virtual meetings, or TOC Talks, of the 2025-26 cycle over 2 days. The group had the chance to welcome new members, review procedures, and ensure that everyone is situated to succeed for the year.
Working Paper topics will include recognition and possible priority treatment of flights filing a medical status, vertiports, impact of space debris on commercial aviation, and updating several policies in IFATCA’s Technical and Professional Manual. The group will work together to do extensive research as they prepare for their drafts due in September.
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First Meeting of the 2025–2026 IFATCA Professional and Legal Committee (PLC).
The first meeting of the 2025–2026 IFATCA Professional and Legal Committee (PLC), chaired by Donna Field (AUS), proved to be both productive and encouraging. The committee members demonstrated their readiness to take on a robust and ambitious work programme for the term.
This year’s agenda covers a broad range of critical topics, including:
• ATFM Policy Review (Joint WP with TOC)
• Autonomous Aircraft Functions (Joint WP with TOC)
• Ambient Room Recording
• Return to Operations Following Simulator Training
• “What Is a Break?”
• CO₂ Trajectories
• Conflict Zones
• Outsourcing of Training
• Deskilling of Air Traffic Controllers
• Space Debris (Joint WP with TOC lead/PLC support)
In addition to these topics, the committee will focus on three dedicated projects:
• GNSS Spoofing (Joint work with TOC lead and PLC support)
• Accident Investigation
• Drug Testing
During the meeting, members reviewed the overall work programme, discussed timelines, and began planning the development of key deliverables. Returning members also shared valuable insights and best practices related to research methods and collaborative drafting—setting a strong foundation for the work ahead.
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The Deadline for submissions for the next issue of The Controller magazine is
10th August.
We need input from your MAs, articles on the subjects of recruitment and retention. All submissions to editor@ifatca.org
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IFATCA at 14th Regional Aviation Safety Group
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SUCTA PERU represented IFATCA at the Fortieth Regional Aviation Safety Group – Pan America Executive Steering Committee Meeting (ESC/40)
The meeting was held over two days (May the 28th and 29th) at the ICAO South American Regional Office in Lima. Ms. Alessandra Ortega (SPZO) and Mr. Fedor Romero (SPJC) attended the event to represent IFATCA for SUCTA PERU.
RASG-PA member states, industry organisations such as Boeing, Airbus, IFALPA and IFATCA participated in this important meeting covering 10 working papers presented by Secretariat, United States and the Regional Aviation Safety Team Pan-America (PA-RAST) and one presentation given by SENEAM Mexico. The working papers highlighted different safety topics developed by the states, RASG-PA members with the collaboration of some industry actors.
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The ICAO Capacity Assessment Workshop held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia from June 2–5, 2025 brought together aviation professionals from across the Asia Pacific Region to strengthen collaboration and strategies for future airspace demands in the region.
Proudly representing the voice of air traffic controllers, IFATCA was led by Ms. Cheryl Chen, Executive Vice President for the Asia Pacific Region, with delegates from Malaysia and the Philippines actively contributing to the discussions. Many thanks to Airnav Indonesia for graciously hosting the event.
A meaningful week of dialogue, partnership, and progress in the heart of Indonesia.
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IFATCA Spotlight Podcast
The IFATCA Spotlight Podcast is made by ATCOs for ATCOs and provides insight into different challenges and solutions ATCOS face worldwide.
In this episode of IFATCA Spotlight, Renz Bulseco interviews Miriam Kelm, an air traffic controller and executive board member of GDF, the German air traffic controllers’ association. They discuss Miriam’s journey into air traffic control, the roles and responsibilities within GDF, the challenges of gender representation in the field, and the impact of weather on air traffic management. The conversation also touches on mental health support for controllers, training processes, and the future of air traffic control, including the implementation of remote towers.
Here
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-=>The ControllerArchive <=-
We are in the process of moving The Controller magazine’s archive to the IFATCA website. Until now, all issues were available via issuu.com, but a price increase forced us to look for an alternative. We hope to have all 230 issues available in the coming weeks.
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What will you find if you browse WIKIFATCA?
- An archive of all the working papers since 1968
- Abbreviations and definitions
- The TPM (technical professional manual)
- A whole plethora of wiki categories from aerodrome operations to surveillance
Topics of interest have been classified and grouped in different categories, to facilitate the research of a specific subject, and to narrow down the amount of information relevant to a given topic.
If you haven’t checked out WIKIFATCA check out this link!
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Trish Gilbert
Executive Vice President Professional
Home Association:
National Air Traffic Controllers Association, NATCA U.S.A.
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Ahmad Abba
Executive Vice President Africa & Middle East
Home Association:
Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association
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Tatiana Iavorskaia
Office Manager and Secretariat
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David Perks
Liaison Officer ICAO ANC
Home Association: The Civil Air Operations Officers’ Association of Australia (CAOOAA)
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Nicola Nì Rìada
Communications Coordinator
Home Association:
Irish Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (IATCA)
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