Instrument Flight Procedure Panel

Background

In 2007, the Instrument Flight Procedures Panel (IFPP) replaced the Obstacle Clearance Panel (OCP) which had been in existence since 1966. The change in name to IFPP occurred to more correctly reflect the role of the Panel and to address new capability such as performance-based navigation (PBN) as well as the emerging requirements for increased accuracy, the use of automation, the need for quality assurance and the consideration of environmental issues in instrument flight procedure designs.

Scope

The IFPP will undertake specific studies and develop technical and operational ICAO provisions for instrument flight procedure design and associated domains.

Objectives

Develop and maintain flight procedures SARPs and guidance material (e.g., PANS-OPS, Docs 8697, 9905 and 9906) leading to enhanced safety, increased terminal airspace capacity and utilization, improved airport/heliport accessibility in all weather conditions, and more efficient transitions to/from en-route airspace. This includes new instrument flight procedure (IFP) design criteria to address improvements in air navigation, evolving aircraft capabilities and new operational concepts; instrument flight procedure oversight requirements; and harmonization of charting criteria, databases, and avionics systems guidance with IFP design standards and the facilitation of an efficient communication between ATC and Flight Crews.

Working Arrangements

As defined in the “Directives for Panels of the Air Navigation Commission”, ICAO Doc 7984, Chapter 3.4.5.2, the panel chairperson may establish working groups as necessary. The IFPP should coordinate their work with the various groups of experts responsible for other Annexes and disciplines, as appropriate. Coordination with the PBN Study Group on PBN related matters is considered essential.

Required expertise

The Panel is composed of experts involved in the design of instrument flight procedures or the operational use of these procedures and associated requirements with background in both conventional and performance-based navigation. Experts are conversant in navigation system performance standards, installed equipment performance and variations in navigation system architecture associated with PBN. They come from a variety of fields: procedure designers; pilots; air traffic controllers; engineers (e.g. aircraft performance, navigation system performance); database experts; charting experts; and risk analysis and aerodrome standards experts.

IFATCA IFPP REPRESENTATIVE - JOHN LANGA TEMBO (ZAMBIA)

Mr. John Langa Tembo (Zambia) represents IFATCA on the Panel. Mr. Tembo is an experienced ATCO, holding four the ratings: tower, approach procedural, approach radar and area procedural. He has extensive knowledge of Performance Based Navigation (PBN), airspace design and planning (ICAO Doc 8168, 9992, 9613), SMS, training and OJTI, Runway Safety Management, human performances, and quality and performance management systems. Mr. Tembo can be reached at john.tembo@ifatca.org.