Air Line Pilot, January 2004, p.29

• Microsoft .NET Architecture

The Association’s Information Systems and Services Department is moving master and local executive council websites to the new Microsoft .NET architecture, which provides multiple enhancements and advantages, such as increased security, scalability, real-time content management, and additional tools and modules for developers. Adding content to the websites is also easier. As of mid-November 2003, 122 MEC, LEC, and committee sites were using the new .NET architecture, and the Association planned to convert all remaining sites by the end of 2003.

• Continental and Continental Express

At Continental, ALPA Economic and Financial Analysis Department analysts continue to monitor the carrier’s financial and operational condition and to attend regular financial briefings with management. At Continental Express, the Department is continuing to cost various items in support of Section 6 negotiations—including several joint scheduling analyses.

• Mailing Costs Reduced

The Association is working with a third-party vendor to mix its first-class mail with the mail of other companies to obtain the significant postage savings available to high-volume mailing houses. This saved ALPA more than $25,000 during 2003, and mail delivery was not delayed. The Association’s Printing and Mailing Department continues to make use of new technology and innovative practices to provide fast, efficient, and cost-effective communications.

• US Airways

The Association’s Economic and Financial Analysis staff members are working closely with the US Airways pilots’ Grievance Committee to provide support and testimony at various System Board hearings.

• IFALPA Human Performance Committee

The International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations Human Performance (HUPER) Committee met at ALPA’s office in Herndon, Va., Oct. 15-17, 2003, to discuss aeromedical, human factors, and personnel licensing and training issues. Some of the major issues the Committee is working on include medical certification and ultra-long-haul flight operations, cockpit automation, line operations safety audits, human performance aspects of accidents and incidents, and flight crew certification. The Committee also reviewed HUPER and IFALPA policy, and ALPA representatives used this forum to brief the Committee on the Association’s advocacy of and activities concerning Safety Management Systems.

• RNAV & RNP Terminal Procedures

The Association’s Aircraft Design and Operations Group’s All Weather Operations Program and Charting & Instrument Procedures Program continue to play an active role in developing required performance-based area navigation (RNAV) and required navigation performance (RNP) procedure standards. Because of problems experienced with RNAV procedures, a moratorium was placed on the development of new RNAV procedures in December 2002. A few RNAV procedures were left operational, and those are authorized to receive revisions, including the procedure name, during the moratorium. ALPA has participated in several activities that resulted in resuming development of new RNAV Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs) in July 2003. In addition, ALPA has led an industry/government group that is working to reach consensus on RNP approach procedure design criteria. These criteria are scheduled to be completed in January, with the first procedures being implemented later in the year.

• Aircraft Manufacturer Liaison Project

Members of ALPA’s Aircraft Manufacturer Liaison Project Team were invited to visit Embraer’s facility in Brazil to observe and fly a prototype of the Embraer 170 in October 2003. Before the visit, the Project Team was able to conduct a familiarization flight in the Embraer 170 simulator located at the CAE facility in Montreal. Both of these opportunities allowed the Team to actively participate in the design and introduction of a new airplane.

• Delta Air Lines

Staff of ALPA’s Economic and Financial Analysis Department provided expert testimony and exhibits supporting furloughed pilots at a recent arbitration. In addition, the Department is helping the Delta pilots in their mid-term contract negotiations.