Release #14.27
April 4, 2014
ALPA Calls for Industry-Wide Implementation
of Existing Aircraft Location Technologies
Pilots warn that speculation hinders investigation process
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) issued the following statement, joining the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations, demonstrating their collective position on the events surrounding Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.
“Technology that exists today can pinpoint the location of aircraft in near real time and, in this day and age, it is unacceptable that the location of the aircraft is unknown. Implementation of technology such as ADS-B and use of satellite surveillance of aircraft during flight operations must become the standard across the industry.
“Additionally, stronger transmitters and better battery technology in Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) can provide more accurate location information for a longer duration after an accident has occurred, enhancing efforts to locate an aircraft in distress.
“We also urge the international aviation community to stress the importance of cooperation and complete transparency during an investigation, as well as the open disclosure of all facts with proper context developed during the course of an investigation with relevant stakeholders. Following this process will mitigate the urge for speculation, thereby preventing valuable time and resources being diverted from the fact-finding portion of the investigation.”
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing nearly 50,000 pilots at 31 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703/481-4440 or Media@alpa.org
