IFATCA Asia Pacific 2021 Regional Meeting

zby Umi Muthiah Syahirah, A.Md., S.I.Kom.

The 37th APRM of International Federation of Air Traffic Controller Association (IFATCA) 2021 was held virtually via Zoom Webinar on 25th – 27th October 2021, hosted by ROCATCA, Taiwan. Despite the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic around the world, IFATCA Asia Pacific Region stayed committed to establish the e-meeting. The theme of the meeting was “The Way Forward: Moving Towards The COVID-19 ATC.” The E-APRM ran for three days. Some of the highlights will be elaborated in the following section.

The first day started with opening by the host ROCATCA, which was then followed by addressing members, and quorum. Here, the acting Executive Vice President of IFATCA Asia Pacific and its regional Vice Presidents also delivered speeches. Afterward, the two invited guests, Lin Kuo Hsien, the Director General of CAA, Republic of China, Taiwan and Capt. Ishtiaque Hossain, the EVP of IFALPA APAC gave warm opening speeches to officially start the meeting.

There were two presentations delivered on day 1. “Introduction of Evidence-Based Training and Competency-Based Training,” presented by Ping-I Lee, Chief Pilot of HFCRM Team EVA Airways and “Upcoming ATM-Related ICAO Provisions for RPAS,” which delivered by Rick Taylor, IFATCA ICAO ATMOPS Panel Rep. Beside that, agenda about “Celebrating 100 Years of ATC in 2022,” were also presented by the 100 years ATC IFATCA Task Force.

The celebration of 100 years of ATC aims to make our profession better known and understood. The efforts can hopefully promote diversity and help in recruiting the young generation into the ATC profession. One of the planned major activities was a continuous promotion in various forms from May 2022 to June 2023 using the motto “We are 100 years old but still state of the art and one of the most technologically advanced professions.”

The second day was again commenced by Membership and Quorum agenda which then followed by member association’s report. The participating members that gave a presentation were:

Regional North Asia 1. Hong Kong, HKATCA 2. Japan, JATCA 3. Macau, MATCA 4. Mongolia, MONATCA 5. Taiwan, ROCATCA

Regional Pacific 1. Australia 2. New Zealand

Regional South East Asia 1. Indonesia, IATCA 2. Malaysia, MATCA 3. Philippines, PATCA 4. Singapore

Regional South West Asia 1. India 2. Iran 3. Nepal, NATCA 4. Sri Lanka A majority of the member associations (MAs) explained about the current situation of traffic movement as the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Majority of ATC got vaccinated. As reported that 70% of Japan population, 99% of Indonesia ATCOs, close to 99% of Malaysia ATCOs, 95% of 800 Philipine ATCOs were fully vaccinated.

Generally, in operation, the MAs continue to keep social distancing and implementing other health and hygiene measures.

Some MAs still have to cope with and are affected by COVID-19 pandemic. There were modifications to the scheduling of duties to avoid the spread of the virus. Moreover, some strategic steps also had to be postponed including OJT and short courses abroad. One of them, Macau, reported that the simulation training every two years in Shenzhen, PRC, is on hold due to the travel restrictions.

In Indonesia, there are programs being implemented by IATCA to support ATCOs, including providing vitamin boosters for those infected with COVID-19, and allocation of emergency fund to help them.

The MAs are also facing new issues after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Human factor, especially fatigue issues, were mentioned in several MAs’ presentations. HKACTA mentioned that fatigue reporting has been established and managed by the Safety manager. Controller briefings are arranged. Meanwhile, Japan still has to deal with a six-day cycle shift. Using DELMIA Quintiq Systems software on fatigue and stress reporting, inputting the date is difficult. They still try to develop a better program.

Despite the limitation due to the pandemic, some members are able to maintain an impressive relation, such as HKATCA who hosted EATMCG/13 in December 2020 with adjacent FIRs, including Japan, Taiwan and Philippines joined the meeting.

The new RVPs were elected during the first part of the meeting in Day 3. Congratulations and best wishes to the successful tenure:

z Nyamgerel Dashdolgor, Mongolia as RVP for North Asia z Greg Okeroa, New Zealand, as RVP for Pacific z Lim De Wei, Singapore as RVP

South East Asia z Saiff-ul-lah, India as RVP

South West Asia

After the break, the PCX of IFATCA, Duncan Auld joined the meeting. He greeted the attendees and explained the two working papers proposed by CAC for modifying the Manual of IFATCA.

John Wagstaff, the appointed delegates to ICAO APAC meetings, presented the latest development and relevant results of ICAO APAC and CANSO meetings.

Nyamgerel Dashdolgor (Nainaa), IFATCA SEP Secretariat as IFATCA Speak English Program presented an overall encouraging update of the program. Members respond to the program positively since it launched in June 2020. During a one-hour online session, one facilitator and two participants practice their English accompanied by fellow ATCOs and aviation professionals.

Before the end of the meeting, Cheryl Chen presented the preliminary results on Just Culture and Voluntary Report Survey conducted among MAs within Asia Paicifc regions .

There was consensus among the MAs that, if condition and circumstances permit, the next APRM 2022 will be hosted by the Philippines. The e-meeting ran smoothly throughout and panelists and attendees enjoyed informal discussions at the end of the presentation.

Last but not least, sincere thanks and appreciation to The Republic of China Air Traffic Controller Association (ROCATCA), Taiwan for hosting this E-APRM and the participants for joining the emeeting. y