INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ASSOCIATIONS 48 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE Dubrovnik, Croatia, April 20-24, 2009 Agenda Item: 4.1.4 IFATCA 09 WP No. 79 ICAO OPSP Presented by Raimund Weidemann 1. Introduction OPSP is the ICAO Operations Panel. It was after a period of discontinuation re-established in 2001. IFATCA is member of the panel since September 2003. The OPSP is one out of several panels formed by the ICAO Air Navigation Commission (ANC). Other ICAO panels where IFATCA is presented are: Aerodromes Panel (AP) Separation and Airspace Safety Panel (SASP) ATM Requirement and Performance Panel (ATMRPP) and Aeronautical Surveillance Panel (ASP). The primary work of the panel is to develop Standards and Recommended Practices, procedures and guidance material as necessary to update the Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Doc 7300), the Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Aircraft Operations (Doc 8168), and related manuals to provide appropriate guidance to States. In particular the following Annexes and ICAO documents are interfered by the work of the panel: Annex 6 Operation of Aircraft Annex 11 Air Traffic Management Annex 14 Aerodromes Doc 8168 Aircraft Operations (PANS OPS) Doc 4444 Air Traffic Management (PANS ATM) 2. Discussion In 2008 the OPSP met twice as a working group of the whole (WHL): OPSP WHL 8 took place from 19 th to 24 th of May 2008 OPSP WHL 9 took place from 10 th to 14 th of November 2008. Both meetings were held in the ICAO Headquarter in Montreal, and I attended the meetings on behalf of IFATCA. Reports of those meetings are available through IWEN. Since 2007 various sub-groups have been formed to work on specific items from the OPSP work programme. This is a common procedure for the work of ICAO Panels. The idea behind is that a panel member normally has expertise in only a few subjects of the panel work programme, but he can always nominate advisors, who have expertise in a specific subject, and these experts can be nominated for the work in such a sub-group. Often this sub-group work is done via e-mail only, so that there are no additional costs for travelling. This is important not only for our organisation, but also for ICAO and for the various member states and organisations everybody is on a tight budget B.4.1.4/Page 1 of 6
nowadays. For the same reason the working group meetings of the OPSP have been reduced in length from 2 weeks to 1 week, which puts some pressure on the panel members to work as efficient as possible during the meetings. IFATCA is aiming to be a powerful lobby organisation for the profession of the air traffic controllers, and one way to achieve this is to closely work together with ICAO. In the panel work our representatives take an active role, and the controllers perspective is taken into regard when new proposals are forwarded to the Air Navigation Commission (ANC). Within the OPSP IFATCA is represented in 3 sub-groups: Fred Arild Norum from Norway gave very useful input to the review of the ICAO Manual of All-Weather Operations. Mark Green from the UK represents IFATCA as my advisor in the Approach Classification Sub-group and in the RNAV Sub-group. He also gave written input to the draft Manual on Continuous Descent Operations. I would like to thank Fred and Mark for their engagement with the work of the ICAO OPSP all this is a step forward on our way towards a successful and well-recognised organisation. Status of the panel sub-groups and the panel work after the November 2008 OPSP meeting: Electronic flight bag SG (EFBSG): - Sufficient input has been given to allow for final edits. - Final draft EFB proposal now available for consideration by the panel - Panel is invited to approve the text for submission to the ANC - Some handheld EFB s have problems with decreased cabin pressure at altitudes higher than 8000 ft. the hard drive does not work properly due to degraded air cushion between disc and head - This is a specific problem and out of scope - the proposal for the ANC only addresses basic requirements for EFB All weather operations manual sub-group (AWOSG) - The All weather operations harmonisation group went through the proposal for a revised Manual of All Weather Operations and agreed that the material would now be ready for presentation to the OPSP - Some issues need further revision, but should not prevent the entire document from going forward to the panel - Issues, which are still pending: - Lower than CAT I minima differences between FAA and EU - Determination of lower than CAT II minima - Inclusion of effects of unserviceable equipment - The revised Manual was then endorsed by the OPSP and will be published and sent to States as a revision of the existing version of the document Approach classification sub-group (ACSG) The performance based navigation sub-group (PBNSG) of the Navigation System Panel (NSP) met in the ICAO HQ at the same week like the OPSP WHL. A joint meeting was planned in order to agree a common understanding of the way to re-categorise instrument approach procedures. However, only a briefing given by Lyle Wink (former US member of the OPSP) in regard to the 2D / 3D classification was given to the attendees of both groups, and a few questions were raised after the presentation. - Changes are proposed to the definitions of approach and landing categories I, II and III. - OPSP is looking for opinion of the PBNSG in regard to the proposal of 2D and 3D approaches B.4.1.4/Page 2 of 6
- Classification of approaches should be based on pilot ability, aircraft capability and aerodrome navigational aids - Benefits of head-up displays should be taken in regard The issue should be further considered within the OPSP, and a final proposal should be provided at the next meeting. RNAV sub-group (RNAVSG) - The work on the subject done by the RNAVSG has been forwarded to the NSP for review and advise, however, the NSP did not reach specific conclusions in regard to the content of the provided material. - The issue of harmonisation of RNAV equipment on conventional routes should remain on the work programme of the OPSP. - A basic cost benefit analysis (CBA) should be performed to reflect the validity of the topic on the OPSP work programme. Rescue fire fighting services / operations sub-group (RFFS/OPSSG) - Previous proposal of the sub-group was delivered to the Rescue fire fighting services sub-group (RFFSSG) of the Aerodromes Panel (AP) for comments, but response was received only recently. - The rapporteur of the RFFS/OPSSG met with representatives from the ICAO Aerodromes and Ground Aids (AGA) section to force a consolidated proposal. - AGA again stated that requirements to be placed in Annex 6 should not contradict already existing requirements in Annex 14. - While requirements for departure and destination airfields exist in Annex 14, there are no such requirements for alternate airfields. Those requirements can be placed in Annex 6 to support operational necessities. - It was decided that the RFFS/OPSSG should continue working together with the AP and the AGA section until a commonly accepted solution is found. Fuel use sub-group (FUSG) - FUSG has met in September and continued refining fuel use provisions. - Focus was on flight planning and different provisions for fuel use - A working paper Fuel requirements was almost ready for provision; there were some unsolved issues, which would need further discussion. - Some debate about the method of selecting the contingency fuel - The meeting was basically in favour of the fuel use proposal, but it was decided to continue work on the contingency fuel issue. Fatigue risk management systems sub-group (FRMSSG) - Review of the material was done to include comments given during the OPSP WHL 8 meeting in May 2008 - Minor changes and editorials now included - Question whether or not an FRMS would satisfy the intent to have fatigue regulations in place - A legal opinion will be required to answer this question - Relationship between FRMS and prescriptive regulations for flight time and flight limitations regulations One action from the OPSP WHL 8 in May 2008 was the request to evaluate FRMS for air traffic controllers: - Curt Graeber stated that several members of the FRMSSG viewed this approach positively. B.4.1.4/Page 3 of 6
- Duncan Monaco (OPSP Secretary) stated that this subject would not fall under the OPSP work programme, however, he proposed to make the views of the FRMSSG known to the Air Navigation Commission. - A note will be made in the report to the ANC indicating that further consideration by the appropriate ATM group should be given to this issue. Status of current sub-groups of the OPSP EFBSG the group should be kept in stand-by, until the proposals for EFB s are approved by the Council. FRMSSG same procedure as for the EFBSG, but it should be re-evaluated if additional work on FRM issues is necessary and if therefore the group should remain active AWOSG group should be kept together even though the initial work on the Manual for All-Weather Operations is completed future requirements will require further work of the group FUSG still active RFFS/OPSSG still active RNAVSG still active ACSG still active Informal working group for HUD / EVS - work is completed, but the group may be used as a basis for a future HUD / EVS / SVS sub-group Continuous descent approach (CDA) The secretary of the panel presented a working paper to provide information on the status of the development of the CDA Manual within the Instrument Flight Procedures Panel (IFPP): - IFPP made some proposals in regard to CDA for inclusion in the PANS-OPS - A proposal for a draft CDA manual was made available to the OPSP members - Discussion on CDA issues: - Expectations in regard to CDA are too high limitations due to airspace structure - Operational side must be clarified before environmental aspects can be addressed - The word continuous is not realistic, descent profiles may vary due to ATC requirements - CDA should not be termed as flight procedure - Current draft of CDA Manual does not address airspace considerations - Re-design of airspace could be the key for optimised flight profiles for departures and arrivals - The terms CDA and CDFA are leading to confusion, it is important to make a clear distinction Further analysis and discussion on CDA issues necessary among the 3 responsible groups: IFPP, OPSP and CAEP (ICAO Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection). To ensure that coordination between those 3 bodies is thoroughly done the Air Navigation Commission (ANC) should have the opportunity to review and approve the CDA Manual. OPSP members to participate in the review process should at least represent IFALPA, IFATCA, IATA, ICCAIA, USA and UK, more volunteer s welcome. Synthetic vision systems (SVS) certification Herbert Meyer OPSP member for EASA reported that SVS considerations are an ongoing issue at EASA. Some activities are in the area of certification and rule-making and operational considerations. He made a suggestion to form a small sub-group, which could focus on SVS issues. It was decided to extend the already existing HUD / EVS sub-group to SVS issues. B.4.1.4/Page 4 of 6
List of safety concerns identified by the OPSP All ANC panels were encouraged to forward issues, which are deemed to be safety concerns, to the ANC. In this respect the OPSP members are encouraged to identify any safety concerns, which are related to operational issues, but not necessarily related to the work of the OPSP. The ANC will review all safety concerns and decide, which of the issues should be addressed within the ICAO panel work. The secretary has provided a preliminary list of OPSP safety concerns. All OPSP members are encouraged to review the list and to provide additional items. Review of outcomes of Special operations task force (SOTF) The secretary of the OPSP informed the meeting about some recommendations, made by the SOTF, which were related to extended diversion time operations (EDTO) a former work item of the OPSP. Proposals for amendment of Annex 6 could be finalised by May 2009, which would allow becoming effective by November 2010. Ongoing and future work items of the OPSP Helicopter emergency medical services - The secretary raised the issue of the increased number of helicopter accidents involving emergency medical services - The topic should be considered by the OPSP for a possible amendment of ICAO Annex 6, Part III; International Operations Helicopters - The OPSP member from the International Federation of Helicopter Associations (IFHA) stated that probably this would be the quickest way to address the issue within the ICAO process. - Secretary: As this would be a new task for the panel the decision of the ANC would be required before the work could begin. - As soon as approval from the ANC is given the newly formed sub-group, consisting of IFHA (lead), US, EASA; ICCAIA could begin to work Approach ban - The secretary presented a working paper, containing a proposal to add the review and analysis of the approach ban to the work of the OPSP. - The industry groups made proposals for new provisions to Annex 6, Part II International General Aviation Aeroplanes for modification of the present approach ban paragraphs to permit large and turbojet general aviation aircraft to commence an approach if the reported visibility was below minima. - The ANC discussed the proposal, but felt that further analysis of the issue is needed and that this work could be assigned to the OPSP - The meeting agreed to form a new approach ban sub-group (ABCG), and that International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and IAOPA should be included in the group. Annex 10 Aeronautical Telecommunication - Geoff Collins (UK) presented an information paper regarding changes to Annex 10 involving ground based navigation aids and general provisions for radio-navigation aids. - Impact of these changes is significant to aerodrome operators. - Further study of ILS critical area is required to determine the extend of the impact of the proposed changes - This is not an issue for the OPSP, but the IP should be made available to the Navigation System Panel (NSP) for further consideration B.4.1.4/Page 5 of 6
Engine out taxi (EOT) procedures - Glenn Morse from the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) presented a working paper on the development of guidance for EOT operations - Bill McKenzie from ICCAIA stated that Boeing is not developing any EOT procedures at present - An IATA workshop in spring 2009 will address the need for such procedures - ICCAIA offered to send a representative to the December 2008 CAEP meeting to give input from an operational perspective. OPSP and IFPP joint work on a manual for Continuous Descent Operations Some work items are interrelated to the work of more than one panel. CDA procedures are one example for this. The work on this issue has started some 3 years ago in the Obstacle Clearance Panel (OCP). Then ICAO decided to discontinue the work of the OCP, a new panel named Instrument Flight Procedures Panel (IFPP) was established. One sub-group of this new panel is the ATM working group. In this subgroup the work on a CDA manual was continued. However, as there are many pilots with operational expertise in the OPSP it was suggested by the ANC to review this work by the OPSP. IFATCA was not represented in the OCP, and is not represented in the new IFPP. During the November 2008 OPSP working group I was approached by several panel members, and the need to have a controllers perspective within the work on the CDA Manual was explained to me. It was suggested that IFATCA should take an active role in the review process of the draft manual. Therefore a 3-step approach was agreed: - Teleconference with key members of both panels in December 2008 - Written input to the draft manual by mid January 2009 - Joint meeting of IFPP ATM working group and identified OPSP members in February 2009 I was able to participate the teleconference on 18 th of December 2008, Mark Green prepared a written input t the draft by the 18 th of January, and I was able to participate the joint meeting on the 5 th and 6 th of February 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona, where I was able to provide further input from the operational perspective of the air traffic controller. Report of this meeting is under way, by the time of the IFATCA Conference it will be published in IWEN. 3. Conclusions Important work items, which need attention and input from IFATCA, are: - ICAO Manual of Continuous Descent Operations - Re-classification of instrument approach procedures - Harmonisation regarding the use of Area Navigation (RNAV) equipment on conventional routes and procedures - Modernisation of the Manual of All Weather Operations (Doc 9365) (work on unsolved issues) - Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS) for Controllers (work will not be done in the OPSP, but hopefully in another more ATM related ANC Panel) The 2009 OPSP working group meetings are scheduled for the following dates: - OPSP WHL 10: 11 th to 15 th of May 2009 - OPSP WHL 11: 26 th to 30 th of October 2009 4. Recommendations That this working paper be accepted as information material. - END B.4.1.4/Page 6 of 6