International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations BY AJAY GIRI

International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations

The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA) is a nonpolitical, non-industrial organization with a membership of over 50,000 air traffic controllers. IFATCA was founded in 1961 by air traffic controllers from 12 European countries. Subsequently, it was grown in stature and now represents 140 member associations from its four regions: Africa & Middle East, Americas, Asia & Pacific and Europe. IFATCA enjoys a worldwide reputation amongst all partners in Air Traffic Management with representation in many areas including ICAO and Eurocontrol working groups.

Among its principal objectives are:

• Promoting safety, efficiency, and regularity in international air navigation;
• Promoting and upholding a high standard of knowledge and professional efficiency among air traffic controllers; and
• Striving for a world – wide Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations.

COMMITMENT TO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

IFATCA is well represented in the international forums involving ICAO and others. However, IFATCA accepts the widely-held view that, although ICAO CNS/ATM is a global system, implementation will take place regionally and that the pace of progress will be dictated by political, geographical, economic and social factors. Therefore, IFATCA has been active in all ICAO regions through its own regional organisation. Examples of IFATCA participation are:

1. The European Air Traffic Control Harmonisation and Implementation Programme (EATCHIP)
2. The Informal South Pacific ATS Co-ordination Group (ISPACG)
3. The CAR/SAM Regional Planning and Implementation Group (GREPECAS)
4. The African Planning and Implementation Regional Group (APIRG) CNS/ATM Task Force
5. The Asia/Pacific Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Group (APANPIRG)

Participation in these and other regional groups and committees is important, particularly so that IFATCA can compare developments and monitor the progress to ensure that the ultimate objective of a global seamless ATM system remains on track.

IMPORTANT ISSUES OF THE FEDERATION

To place the role of the controller in perspective, IFATCA believes the underpinning principle to be that controllers are "users" of the Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance *CNS) systems and "providers" of the Air Traffic Control element within Air Traffic Management (ATM); the other two elements being Airspace Management (ASM) and Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM). Thus, IFATCA considers that controllers are customers of CNS and therefore have specific requirements which must be taken into account. The development of the future ATM system, in which we are a major stake-holder, must incorporate the expertise and knowledge of the operational controller. IFATCA believes these positions to be fundamental in the development of the future CNS/ATM systems because the changing culture of the provider is oriented to the adoption of a more customer-driven service.

IFATCA today is working hard on the major issues that are affecting the ATC environment. These include:

Important issues:

• The transition from present to future systems
• The controller' role
• IFATCA's vision of the future; and most importantly
• Improving safety

Other issues:

• Commercialisation and corporatisation of ATC
• Technology such as new surveillance methods, remote towers, CPDLC
• Consolidation of service providers including the Single European Sky project and the contracting of ATC by one State to another
• Accidents and incidents IFATCA looks at the treatment of controllers, the process of investigation into causes, and the thoroughness of investigations.
• On-going involvement with ICAO and regional aviation organisations. IFATCA is one of only 3 organisations with official observer status at ICAO.
•   It is also playing an increasingly important role in several regional organisations such as Eurocontrol.

IFATCA Executive Board 2012-2013

The Executive Board of IFATCA consists of the following elected Officers:
  

• President and Chief Executive Officer - Alexis Brathwaite  (Trinidad and Tobago )
• Deputy President - Patrik Peters ( Germany )
• Executive Vice-President Finance - Darrell Meachum  ( United States of America )
• Executive Vice-President Professional - Scott Shallies ( Australia )
• Executive Vice-President Technical - Patrick Forrey (United States of America)
• Executive Vice-President Africa & Middle East - Keziah Ogutu ( Kenya )
• Executive Vice-President Americas – Vacant
• Executive Vice-President Asia & Pacific - D.K. Behera ( India )
• Executive Vice-President Europe - Željko Oreški ( Croatia )
• Secretary - Adell Humphreys  ( United States of America )
• Conference Executive - Philippe Domogala ( France )

(The Secretary and Conference Executive are also ex-officio members of the Executive Board)