European Pilots

First Officer Emily Wiprud and the captain of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 turned a potentially catastrophic mid-flight incident into a testament to their calm and skill. Amidst the chaos caused by the Boeing 737 Max 9's door panel blowing out, their methodical teamwork ensured a safe landing. The presence of both pilots was crucial, allowing them to manage the flight and evaluate the cabin simultaneously. This incident underscores the vital importance of always having two trained, qualified, and well-rested pilots in the cockpit, regardless of what airline CEOs and manufacturers might think. Click below to read the full story. https://lnkd.in/evgY-GgP

Last week, Lufthansa announced that after 1.5 years of intense negotiations, its subsidiary Discover Airlines would enter into collective bargaining with the trade union ver.di—a union that has no support among the pilots. Today, Discover Airlines pilots made their voices heard. In a decisive vote, pilots decided to take industrial action, standing firm against management's attempt to bypass their chosen representation. The pilots, represented by Vereinigung Cockpit, are united in their stance: they will not allow management to finalize collective labor agreements with a union that doesn’t represent them. They are determined to choose who represents them and to decide the demands that are raised on their behalf. Attempts to divide the pilots will not succeed. From Tuesday to Friday, all Discover Airlines flights departing from Germany will be grounded as the pilots go on strike. This action is a clear stand against management’s tactics, and a fight for fair representation and agreements that truly reflect the needs of the pilots. The goal of this strike is simple: to secure a fair collective pay agreement and a comprehensive labor agreement for the pilots of Discover Airlines—negotiated by the union they trust, Vereinigung Cockpit.

Industry stakeholders are working to reduce safety by taking pilots off the flight deck, but ALPA, the European Cockpit Association (European Pilots), and The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) are united to stop them. In the latest episode of Air Line Pilot Podcast, ALPA President, Jason Ambrosi interviews ECA President Otjan de Bruijn about the risks and hazards associated with single pilot operations. He also talks with IFALPA Deputy President (and an ALPA member) Ron Hay about ALPA’s work on the international stage to prevent single pilot operations, and ALPA Canada President Tim Perry about what ALPA is doing in Canada to inform members, decision-makers, and the public about the risks of reduced crew operations. Listen today: https://lnkd.in/e2N9v6YQ

Wet-leasing, or ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) leasing, is a common practice in the aviation industry. This arrangement lets airlines lease aircraft and crews from other carriers, especially during peak seasons when they lack enough aircraft or crew to meet demand. In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about this important topic. To learn more, click in the link below. https://lnkd.in/ehj8PWaV This content was created in collaboration with Anastasiia Prychta, ECA's Junior Social & Industrial Affairs Manager who has been researching Wet lease operations for the past two years.

This summer disruption checklist is not intended to supersede or replace individual company procedures and should be seen as an additional awareness tool to ensure safe, reliant, and efficient flight operations. It should also be seen as complementary to the EASA Safety Information Bulletin. Send these tips to your colleagues & save them for later!

The recent CrowdStrike technology failure highlighted the importance of viewing technology as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human oversight in safety-critical operations. ECA, @alpapilots & IFALPA sent a joint letter to the CEO of Airbus urging the manufacturer to reconsider its current plan to reduce the number of pilots on the flightdeck. The letter is available here: https://bit.ly/3SEmbwY

Food poisoning? A hijacking or security threat? How many incidents could a solo pilot handle in the cockpit? These are the critical questions we ask aircraft manufacturers and airlines pushing the single pilot project. Our new ad campaign shines a spotlight on the risks this dangerous idea poses to passengers. Curious to learn more? Visit our website at onemeansnone.eu and find out why the irreplaceable human touch of two pilots is essential in the cockpit.

Straight from the heart of Brussels Airport, the ECA team proudly declares: Two pilots are key to maintain safety & security! Spot our posters at the airport? Snap a photo, share it on social media, and don't forget to tag @europeanpilots! Let's spread the word together! Interested in our campaign? Click the link below to learn more. https://lnkd.in/ewwitXmE

Passengers passing through Brussels Airport this week will spot our new advertising campaign aimed at highlighting the risks of Single Pilot Flights. Our ads, strategically placed in airport restrooms, are designed to get passengers thinking—and talking—about the potential dangers of having only one pilot in the cockpit. Give us a like, share & let us know if you spot any of the posters! Learn more on https://bit.ly/3Wu9OFR

Aircraft manufacturers and airlines are betting on passengers getting comfortable with just one pilot in the cockpit instead of two. But let's face it, neither passengers nor the piloting community are on board with this risky idea. We believe it’s a gamble with safety, and that's why we’ve set a new mission: to raise awareness about the push for single-pilot flights. In the coming days, travelers passing through Brussels-Zaventem Airport will spot our new ads in the bathrooms, highlighting the safety risks of reducing pilots in the flight deck during flight. Click below and read the full article about our new campaign. https://lnkd.in/eJFXqMMQ Otjan de Bruijn