APRM - Asia Pacific Regional Meeting, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Oct 2025
AFAP at the IFALPA Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting 2025: Strengthening Safety, Collaboration and Pilot Advocacy
The 2025 IFALPA Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, brought together pilot associations from across the region to strengthen ties, share experiences, and tackle emerging safety and operational challenges. Representing AusALPA—Australia’s united pilot voice through AFAP and AIPA—were Marcus Diamond (AFAP Safety & Technical Manager), Robin Darroch (AFAP), Corey Beer (AIPA), and Louise Pole (AFAP and IFALPA RVP, South Pacific).
Hosted by ALPA Mongolia, the meeting attracted high-level engagement from the local regulator, airline executives, and IFALPA leadership—including the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding between ALPA Mongolia, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and the Accident Investigation Bureau, symbolising a unified approach to safety collaboration.
A key theme was the promotion of a Positive Safety Culture (PSC)—the understanding that safety thrives when pilots can report, discuss, and learn from incidents without fear of retribution. AFAP’s ongoing advocacy for PSC, both domestically and internationally, aligns with IFALPA’s push for shared safety responsibility across all stakeholders. At the APRM, delegates were encouraged to nominate PSC facilitators and promote PSC courses regionally—an initiative AusALPA has already supported, committing two facilitators to the program, the AFAP sent Capt Richard Armitage who is now an IFALPA PSC facilitator.
Fatigue management (FM) also featured. Presentations by AusALPA and others emphasised the importance of science-based duty and rest regulations—an area AFAP continues to address with CASA and airline management in Australia. The issue of Reduced Crew Operations (RCO), and the associated “Safety Starts with 2” campaign, triggered more discussion. Delegates reiterated that technology must be used to enhance safety, not justify fewer pilots on the flight deck. IFALPA continues to lead the global counter-campaign against RCO and eMCO (extended Minimum Crew Operations), and AusALPA is a visible and active part of that effort.
While the Asia-Pacific region is still rebounding from post-COVID disruptions—dealing with pilot shortages, infrastructure stress, and evolving regulatory environments—the sense of solidarity among pilot associations was clear. The formation of an APAC Technical Working Group (TWG) was a tangible outcome from the meeting, intended to provide a collaborative platform for addressing technical and safety issues across the region. AusALPA was invited to play a founding role in this group alongside ALPA Singapore—an acknowledgement of the expertise and leadership our members contribute internationally. AFAP reps and staff have contributed to the first 3 of these meetings.
The Mongolia APRM reinforced that safety, culture, and professionalism are not isolated national conversations—they are shared international responsibilities.
Recent and Relevant IFALPA Papers:
IFALPA Conference Statement on Reduced Crew Operations - RCO: Commitment to Increase Safety in Civil Aviation; Putting People First | IFALPA
Position Papers:
- Remote Towers | IFALPA & ECA (European Cockpit Association)
This paper examines the safety and operational impacts of Remote Towers, emphasizing new risks created by their reliance on continuous data links and centralized Remote Tower Centers (RTCs). IFALPA and ECA highlight that an RTC failure can affect both a destination and its alternate aerodrome, and they reject “multiple mode of operation”. The paper calls for updated ICAO RT provisions, clear contingency requirements, ensured independence of alternates, and Implementation only with transparent Safety Assessments that ensure safety and service levels equal to or better than traditional tower operations.
2. Crew Awareness of & Authority Over Systems Affecting Flight Path & Energy | IFALPA
This paper addresses the growing role of automated systems that influence an aircraft’s flight path, speed, and energy state. IFALPA emphasizes that pilots must maintain continuous awareness of these systems, be able to override or disengage them instantly, and retain ultimate authority over the aircraft. Clear system indications, intuitive controls, and robust training are essential to prevent automation overreliance and ensure safe, predictable flight operations.
3. Inflight Incapacitation Training for Flight Crews | IFALPA
This paper advocates for the implementation of comprehensive incapacitation training programs to enhance flight safety. This training should include classroom instruction and recurrent simulator practice, emphasizing the identification of both obvious and subtle incapacitation. The aim is to ensure that crews are prepared to take immediate action—maintaining control of the aircraft, assisting the incapacitated member, and reorganizing flightdeck duties to ensure a safe landing.
4. Phraseology Related to the Transfer of Control and Communication | IFALPA
This paper addresses the misuse of CPDLC phraseology in air traffic control, emphasizing that only the command “Contact” ensures a safe and clear transfer of control. IFALPA does not support any silent transfer control and communication in the air.
Briefing Leaflets:
- The IFALPA Fatigue Reporting Briefing Leaflet has been updated to include a section listing useful key fatigue terminology and the associated example operational implications, which is available for pilots globally to use when providing fatigue reports.
- This IFALPA NOTAM Reporting Guidance Briefing Leaflet highlights the growing safety risks caused by excessive, unclear, and outdated NOTAMs. The paper calls on pilots to take an active role in improving the system by filing safety reports to identify irrelevant, ambiguous, or outdated notices. By providing clear feedback, pilots can help drive data quality improvements, support ICAO’s modernization efforts, and ensure that vital flight information is accurate, relevant, and easy to interpret.
a. Airservices NOTAM Office, email: info@airservicesaustralia.com
b. ATSB REPCON – Confidential Reporting Scheme | ATSB What may be reported? This includes many things but also… “any other matter that affects, or might affect the safety of or aircraft operations not reportable under a mandatory reporting scheme.” Clutter and excessive NOTAMs affect workload and what is manageable.