IFATCA Task Forces

100 Years ATC Task Force

Research has shown that 1922 was the beginning of air traffic control as we know it. IFATCA plans to celebrate this centennial in 2022 and has created a task force to prepare for this event.

The main goal of these celebrations is to promote the profession and IFATCA to the outside. The benefits would be to make the profession better known to the general public and attracting new ATCOs.

The 100 Years of ATC Task Force was formally established at the 2019 Annual Conference in Conchal, Costa Rica.

The TF is currently working on a commemorative hard cover book planned to be published for the 2022 Conference; a series of short videos and podcasts/interviews for social media as well as preparing a virtual exhibition to be displayed in museums around the world in 2021/2022. In addition the TF will be looking for States to issue commemorative stamps and investigating other activities to celebrate the centennial in 2022.

Chair: Philippe Domogala (EGATS)

Members: Philip Marien (EGATS), Marc Baumgartner (Swiss ATCA), Nicola nì Riada (IATCA)

Corresponding members: Duncan auld (PCX), Ignacio Baca (EVPT), John Freeman (GATCO), John Levesley (UK ATC Historian), Luis Barbero (GATCO), Ian Walker (Croydon museum), Jez Pidgen (GATCO) and Philippe Renault (French ATC Historian).

Responsible EB member: Helena Sjöström, Deputy President

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force

The worldwide body of air traffic controllers consists of professionals of different gender, race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation and age. Equity recognizes that each person or in IFATCA's case, Member Associations, has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. IFATCA recognises the diversity of our regions and the MAs within those regions. ATCOs often have more in common than they have differences. However the environments in which we operate are very different: culturally, politically and the resources available to us varies widely from MA to MA.
Research shows that organizations that respect and value diversity are better able to attract and retain high performers. Such organizations improve operational performance by enlarging the skill range, and thus benefit from diversity.
Diversity is not limited to gender, but also applies to race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age and where it is possible, disability.
Inclusion is the ingredient that makes the Equity and Diversity work. Inclusion is defined as the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized. Inclusion in practice is taking into account the context of the others, give voice to minority and coming to solutions that take them into account. It is definitely an area IFATCA and this task force would like to focus on.
For IFATCA to succeed with their focus on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion we need purpose and strong leadership all the way from the IFATCA Executive Board, down through the Directors and the MA’s. Deliberations within the IFATCA community will bring a deeper level of understanding of core values and needs, leading ultimately to greater inclusion, creating a better functioning IFATCA amid a changing culture.
Chair: Sverre Ivar Elsbakk, Norway Members: Maria Serrano, Spain (secretary); Katie Mason, UK; Nicola NiRiada, Ireland; Tonny Kepler, Uganda; Rossana Croci Reyes, Uruguay; Asuka Nii, Japan; Greg Okerowa, NZ
Responsible EB member: Helena Sjöström, Deputy President

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Task Force

The advent of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) introduces a radical change in aviation as we know it. Many questions arise but few answers are clear. Despite industry pushes for quick integration of what are usually called ‘drones’, the current categories of airspace and flight rules are not adequate to accommodate the newcomers and new procedures and regulations are required.

The RPATF was first established after the Conference of Ghana 2018 as a specialized team on UAS operations. The scope is to make the knowledge continuously gathered from the relevant stakeholders available to the Federation and to develop Guidance Materials and Policy Statements also in collaboration with the Standing Committees.

Chair: Eugenio Diotalevi (ITA)

Members: Jens Lehmann (GER), Andreas Charalambides (CYP), David Guerin (UK), Felix Gottwald (GER, IFALPA).

Corresponding Members: Al Shaw (NZ), Halvar Myrseth (NOR), Anders LieblA (DK), Benjamin van der Sanden (NL), Chris Sailes (CAN), George Mbugua (KEN), Lidia Ruseva (BG), Samson Akpore (NG), Niels Verhoeven (IFALPA)

Responsible EB member: Ignacio Baca, EVP Technical

Remote Towers Task Force

The IFATCA Executive Board established the Remote Tower Task Force in 2018. The task force is expected to:

• Provide an overview of existing operations with digital and remote tower
• Create a definition table of the different form of digital tower
• Discuss issues and create guidance material
• Coordinate with TOC and PLC possible amendment to existing policy
• Provide motivated and articulated support for the IFATCA representatives in the various international fora (ICAO, EU, SESAR, EASA, Eurocae etc.)
• Provide a pro-active involvement of IFATCA in the research and operational debate around the topic

Chair: Katariina Syväys (Finland)

Members: Antonio Anzelotti (Italy), Thomas Kolbeinsen (Norway), Thomas Harrison (UK), Adam Rhodes (USA), Peter Szalóky (Hungary), Marc Baumgartner (SESAR/EASA coordinator)

TOC Liaisons: Jaymi Steinberg, Benjamin van der Sanden

Responsible EB Member: EVP Technical Ignacio Baca

IFATCA 2030 Task Force

The IFATCA 2030+ Task Force was been created to address the future proofing of the Federation. The task force comprises of two representatives from each region and meets regularly to discuss and eventually propose sweeping changes to how we function as a Federation and what we would like to achieve as a forward thinking, reactive and professional association.

Chair: Jules Ogilvie (Switzerland)

Deputy Chair (rotation): Lim De Wei (Singapore)

Secretaries: Jaymi Steinberg (USA) & Nicola Ni Riada (Ireland)

Members: Nainaa Dash (Mongolia); Nadia Bamowongo (DR Congo);Wickel Yannick Elidje (Ivory Coast); Kendell Peter (St Lucia)

Responsible EB Member: Deputy President Helena Sjöström

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