From the President

G’day everyone,

Jetstar 787 crew will have likely heard the news earlier this week that their 3 x weekly MEL- HNL service will cease in May 2025. In discussions with the Jetstar Chief Pilot earlier this week ahead of the announcement it was not yet clear to which routes the 787-capacity released from MEL- HNL would be redeployed. At this stage there is no expectation of changes to JQ 787 pilot bases.

It’s an interesting sign of where the Australian economy is at that the more price sensitive JQ passengers are not seeing as much value in a Honolulu holiday. The strong USD would no doubt play a large part of that and is interesting that the Group network planning boffins feel that they can make money from a higher premium mainline A330 on the MEL- HNL route.

It is always difficult when a fleet/ base ceases flying a particular route - particularly a well-loved destination like Honolulu. It’s easy for pilots to feel like it’s ‘our’ route and ‘losing’ it just doesn’t feel right. Yet it’s also a reminder that as pilots, we have zero control over the routes that the Group chooses to fly. Sure, we’ve all got our opinions on issues like yield, premium, and schedule management, but ultimately we have no say in the route decisions made by those with such responsibility. In that respect, the only constant in route planning seems to be ‘change’ as the pieces are moved around the chessboard to maximise profit.

I was wiped out with Covid last week and so wasn’t able to facilitate the SHEA webinars that AIPA conducted from Wednesday to Friday. My thanks to AIPA VPs Mark Hofmeyer and Jason Lipson for stepping in and taking up the slack on relatively short notice. Thanks also to those who put in so much effort in the background in the preparation of the Explanatory document, the calculator, the podcasts, and the presentation for the webinars. It is a mountain of work and AIPA members are fortunate to have colleagues of formidable skill and dedication to assist in ensuring that members are well informed.

There are still tickets available to AIPA’s Annual Dinner Friday next week (13 September) so if you are available, we’d love for you to join us. Tickets are available at the link further below in Insights. Though I should also point out that I’ve had a few people on the attendee list suggest that I should stop encouraging people to come in the hope that fewer people attending improves their chances of winning the watch that is on offer as a lucky door prize from our friends at Breitling.

Safe flying,

Captain Tony Lucas
AIPA President

SH EA Deal and Vote - update on where things stand

Thanks to those who have utilised the suite of information provided by AIPA regarding the SH EA deal.

The Explanatory Document and Calculator remain on the AIPA website for review to help you become more informed about the deal to be voted on. To make it easier to access the three podcasts covering IR and Negotiating considerations, these podcasts can now be accessed via Spotify's podcast section. Just search for "AIPA - Stick With It".

We will add to the episode library in the coming weeks adding previous episodes released over the past two years. We know our members have asked for easier access to these podcasts, so we trust this step will help achieve that.

It was fantastic to be able to field your varied questions via the webinars last week. The webinars were well attended and provided another avenue to gain information.

With drafting of the new clauses complete, we understand a final review by legal eyes is occurring prior to the "access" period. The access period normally lasts around one week and allows you to read the proposed EA document in full to understand how the proposed structural changes have been integrated into the new EA to be voted on.

We expect the "access" period to open mid-to-late next week.

The vote itself is facilitated by the company and we understand this is planned to occur following the "access" period, so expect a vote at some point in the last two weeks of September. Voting is typically open for one week, with the results normally accessible shortly after voting has closed.

In terms of who is eligible to vote on the deal, all existing SH pilots can vote, as well as any pilot currently undertaking training on the B737 or A321 and any LH pilot who has been awarded a training slot in the 2024/25 training year ending 30 June 2025 on the B737 or A321.

We appreciate your continued patience as we approach the SH EA vote. The time is fast approaching for you to exercise your opportunity to vote, so please make the most of all of the information available to you to ensure you make an informed decision.

Mark Hofmeyer
AIPA VP and Communications Director
on behalf of the CME team

AIPA 2024 Annual Dinner

Friday 13 September 2024

The AIPA 2024 Annual Dinner is only 8 days away and tickets are selling fast!

Register now and be part of a night of celebration as we honor the Qantas Group pilots and AIPA members who have recently retired.

This year, we’re thrilled to have amazing support from Breitling, Samsonite, Qudos Bank, MGD Wealth and Ray-Ban, who are making the night even more exciting with extraordinary lucky door prizes—including a special Samsonite giveaway and Breitling watch.

Cost Tickets for partners and guests $170pp | Purchase online HERE
FAQ Information including accommodation and parking | click HERE
Enquiries events@aipa.org.au or 02 8307 7777

Breitling will be showcasing their exceptional range of aviation-inspired timepieces.

Don’t miss the opportunity to win a Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43.

Short Haul Insights

Last week we met with the Company to get an update on what the divisors for the 737 fleet look like over the next 12 months. As always, it is subject to change, but the projections now are for Captain divisors to remain in the mid-60s with First Officers slightly below that. The block hours for the fleet are remaining constant and importantly not going down, but the relentless training is impacting the divisor.

In a lot of respects this is the most junior fleet, so particularly for First Officers there is always a lot of movement upwards to other fleets or Command upgrades. The Company pre-trains to the 737 so that other current pilots can then be released, and this cycle continues.

This means that for brief periods of time we may have an excess of crew. This can be frustrating. We are in a bit of a purple patch with regards to promotions, and long may it last, but the downside is the divisor is somewhat suppressed due to the constant movement on and off the fleet. We will continue work with the Company to look for solutions that work for the pilots by raising the divisors whilst also considering training requirements.

We have seen an increase in the number of roster enquiries for the upcoming bid period, and a lot of them relate to bidding and the level of unlocking. Firstly, as I have stated previously, the level of unlocking is not fixed and there are various reasons that it can’t be a fixed number. As such if you are sitting right on the cusp, you may not have been unlocked in a previous roster, but now find yourself unlocked this time around. This does happen from time to time.

The next bid period starting on Monday covers the school holidays, and as such as larger number of ad-hoc leave requests were submitted. The Company did grant most leave requests, which will have an impact on the rosters in several ways. The most noticeable impact is on the reserves. These may go higher on the PSN than expected. If, for example, you are number 20 out of 80 on the PSN, then you wouldn’t expect to be rostered reserves. But if 20 pilots beneath you are on leave, then you are effectively 40 out of 80, and as reserves are assigned from the bottom up, in the above example you could expect to see reserves on your roster again. It is easy to forget at times, especially when your own roster is not so good, but the reason is often that a colleague is on leave when you must work. That is the nature of the system we use.

Speaking of leave, bidding for Annual Leave is now open for the period 1st December 2024 to 21 July 2025. Use WebCIS to place your bids and they must be submitted by 1200 LT SYD on the 15th Sep 2024. Awarding of annual leave is a three-step process looking at Christmas bids, Longest Since bids and then Seniority bids. Please read the EA to ensure you understand how each of these priorities works.

Disruptions are part and parcel of our network at the moment, and they are largely due to the weather and/or unserviceable aircraft. When these disruptions happen on an international trip, they can be lengthy and have a larger impact on your roster going forward. There are some protections under the current EA, and they can be found in clause 36. If you find yourself being disrupted overseas, please ensure crewing are aware and have submitted the appropriate form to payroll.

Last week we ran a series of webinars for our members to explain the proposed EA and answer as many of your questions as possible. Despite a lot of emotion out there, these sessions were held in good spirits, and we received a lot of very good questions that we endeavoured to answer in the sessions.

As pilots we are very good at leaving emotions behind once we are on the flight deck and using our resources to make rational and informed decisions. Voting on an EA should follow the same process. This proposed EA will set out the terms and conditions under which we will work going forward, nothing more. It will not change the way you feel about the Company, so use your head and not your heart.

We have endeavoured to provide you with as much information as possible so that you are in a good position to make an informed decision. The AIPA website contains the explanatory document, the calculator and other resources for our members. Sometime next week the actual EA document will be available so please read and understand it and then make your decision. In the meantime, if you have questions please contact the EA team.

If it were not busy enough, the next few weeks will also see the AIPA Committee of Management election process take place. The nominations have closed, and the Secretary will keep you informed of the process. As for me, after sixteen years as a CoM and Executive member, I have decided to take a break and as such I did not re-nominate. Time for a new team to take over. Representing you has been an honour and indeed a passion.

At the moment it is easy to think that the pilot group is divided and becoming more so every day, particularly in opinions towards AIPA. Sure, things like an EA grab all the attention, but that is not why you should be a member of AIPA and I’ll bet if you think back it was not why you joined.

AIPA is the best value and most comprehensive insurance policy you will ever have for your career. No matter where you are in the world or what time of day it is, if you need assistance AIPA is there for you. Helping fellow pilots is something I will miss. There are hundreds if not thousands of stories of AIPA providing critical assistance over the years with successful outcomes for our members. For the most part these cases are never known to the wider pilot group, and that’s the way it should be.

Our best success stories are normally kept silent. It is the kind of assistance you hope you will never need but can sleep soundly at night knowing those services are available. To quote someone most of you would remember “Stick with it (us)” and get involved!

Emotions run high at times like these, after all it’s footy finals time. So whether you are discussing rostering practices, the upcoming EA vote, or how your team fell from 2nd to 8th please be kind and respectful with each other and look after yourselves and each other out there on the line.

Jason Lipson
Short Haul Representative
0417 051939
Jason.Lipson@aipa.org.au

Long Haul Update

Longhaul Supervisory Flying

“Supervisory Pilots” with respect to rostering include Management pilots of all ranks, CAT’s, TC’s, TFO’s, and TSO’s. Flying for these pilots is pre allocated before general bidding for line pilots is open. Careful oversight is undertaken by AIPA reps/volunteers each bid period to ensure that the flying pre-allocated for SVY pilots is “representative of normal flying patterns”. LHEA10 25.1.3 (a) is the relevant clause.

In general terms, the representative test agreed between the Company and the Association is that the flying pre-allocated is in accordance with a pilots’ seniority (or PSN position).

There are certain occasions where the demands of the training system such as trainer/ trainee pairing or other training pathway requirements may result in flying allocated to an individual CAT or TC that does not at first glance to have met the representative test above. An example of this could be when a more junior A330 CAT has little domestic flying. This could be as a result of a more senior CAT having been pre-allocated significant amounts of domestic flying for Stage 1/ Stage 2 trainee requirements. This frequently occurs when the junior CAT or TC is not yet approved for Stage 1 or Stage 2 training. Overall though the aim is for the training cohort across a fleet to meet the representative test.

Where there are no training demands, such as occurs for TFOs, TSOs and ‘Administrative Supervisory’ pilots (LHEA10 25.1.1) the expectation is that these pilots will generally bid consistent with their seniority. There may at times be Flight Ops requirements that result in individual managers pre-allocating trips that do not conform with this requirement. This can occur when the manager is using a pre-allocated trip to attend a meeting or other Company related event.
AIPA appreciates that the overwhelming majority of SVY is allocated correctly and that those who have choice in their pre-allocated flying generally do so in accordance with the representative test. AIPA also understands that the shifting numbers of patterns to particular destinations each bid period can result in changes as to the relative seniority of where those patterns are allocated and that on occasion mistakes are made.

AIPA also understands that rostering and the allocation of trips can be an emotive issue so if you are concerned that flying pre allocated to an Administrative Supervisory specifically, or the training supervisory pilots generally is not in accordance with “representative flying” described above please email: members@aipa.org.au so that AIPA can follow up or address the concern. Captain David Donnelley has assumed coordination for this role for AIPA and we have pilots of different ranks and from all bases who assist in reviewing Supervisory Flying each bid period to ensure compliance with the relevant EA clauses.

It is important to note that Long Haul TREs do NOT have pre-allocated flying. Whilst their ground training block is pre-allocated, the remainder of flying that a TRE bids for within a bid period is by their seniority or PSN (as appropriate).
As always, if you have questions regarding any aspect of the EA, don’t hesitate to reach out to AIPA.

Christmas Period bidding

Blank line Bids

We would like to remind all crew that bids for blank lines will close next Monday 9 September at 1000 SYD local time. The blank line bid selection is found in the global preferences of Roster Bids and if you have previously bid for a blank line, it will remain selected until you deselect it. BP365 encompasses the Christmas and New year period so please make sure if you do not wish to bid for a Blank line in BP365 that you have deselected this option.

Christmas Pre Bids

We expect that Pre bids for flying over the Christmas period will run again this year. It will be a similar process to previous years. We will advise when we have more information on the bidding window for these trips.

Upline disruptions

Recently we have experienced some disruptions to the network as a result of crew being unfit upline. We have received reports from several pilots concerned about the management of these recent disruptions. We share some of those concerns and have requested a meeting with the Company to discuss those issues and ensure correct protocols are being followed when adequate rest or fatigue is cited.

While delays and cancellations are regrettable and impact both customers and crew, when assessing your fitness to fly based on reduced rest and fatigue considerations other considerations become irrelevant. Where fatigue is the factor the only aspect you should consider is when and whether you are fit to fly. While the FRMS ruleset allows reduced slip times in a disruption, these operational minimums are on the proviso that the crew have made the assessment of their fitness to fly and exercise their discretion to do so based on this.

The LHEA contains your negotiated entitlements, it is not a fatigue management system. It is important not to conflate what is allowed under the FRMS to any entitlement in the EA. There are clauses dealing with disruption in the EA however it has become apparent that there may be some interpretive disagreement. We intend to discuss these issues with the Company and provide more guidance shortly.

AIPA Long Haul Representatives
Glen Hunter | John Pavlou | Corey Beer

Legal Update

AIPA Committee of Management Election 2024

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) are conducting the AIPA Committee of Management (CoM) election.

Nominations closed on 20 August 2024.

Those who nominated for the following nominee groups have been accepted and will not require an election ballot:

General Representatives;
Combined Small Work Group Representative;
Jetstar Work Group Representative;
Short haul Work Group Representatives

Due to the high interest in representative positions for the ‘Long Haul Work Group’, the AEC are required to conduct an election via ballot, which will open on 10 September 2024 and close on 8 October 2024 at 12:00pm.

The AEC will post ballot papers to all members, so please look out for them in the mail.

AIPA will be publishing all candidate statements and photos received by nominees on the AIPA website for members to read before the ballot opens.

AIPA will update members regularly on progress as we proceed towards end of the ballot election.

Jetstar – Introduction of Uber Transport

Jetstar members have raised concerns around the recent announcement that Uber is now the primary backup transport supplier for pilots, effective from 30 August 2024.

This means that if your transport does not arrive within 15 minutes of the agreed transport pickup time, or if Crewing Logistics advises that transport will not be available at the agreed transport pickup time, you may utilise Uber transport.

Insurance cover

In accordance with the Uber for Business Safety Guide, Uber provides driver-partners with contingent liability coverage that works with their personal car insurance policy to help ensure that other road users are protected in the event of an accident.

AIPA are also engaging Jetstar to ensure that the proper due diligence has been conducted to ensure all pilots who utilise Uber as backup transport are safe and are covered, in the event of harm or an accident.

We will be able to provide further updates as discussions with Jetstar progress.

Kind Regards,
AIPA Legal

A Word from Welfare

02 8307 7766 | welfare@aipa.org.au

A difficult topic this week, bereavement of a member. Something we would rather not talk about and a difficult time for all, especially for the family of the member. We at the Welfare team would like to remind all members that we are also here to support immediate family members (please ensure they are aware of our number and email address).

We would also like to remind you that one of the benefits of financial membership is the $15,000 payment made to your beneficiary in the event that the worst happens to you. We endeavour to do this as quickly as possible, but it can be hampered if the beneficiary information is not up to date.

You can do this by logging into the website: The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA), login to My AIPA and select the account symbol at the top right and scroll down to beneficiary and select ‘Change’. There are no conditions on how your beneficiary spends the money.

On a lighter not, spring has arrived so enjoy these warmer days!

Don’t suffer in silence, if you need to, please shout; open up with your feelings, don’t be ashamed to reach out. Never beat yourself up, please know you’re worthwhile, tomorrow could be better and you may find your smile.

Take Care Out There

AIPA WELFARE
Members are reminded of the continued availability of support services such as AIPA Welfare, PAN and EAP.

S&T Update

Crew Guidance Published by OPSGROUP GPS Spoofing Group

OPSGROUP has launched a major initiative to tackle the growing issue of GPS spoofing in long-haul operations. The GPS Spoofing WorkGroup was formed to evaluate the problem, analyse safety risks, and compile best practices for flight crews, ultimately providing recommendations to the broader aviation industry. The group brought together 950 participants, including representatives from airlines, aircraft operators, air traffic control, aviation authorities, OEMs, GPS experts, and various industry organisations.

The findings of the GPS Spoofing WorkGroup offer valuable guidance for flight crews operating in areas where GPS spoofing is a concern. This guidance outlines steps to be taken before, during, and after encountering spoofing, drawing on the collective experience of the WorkGroup participants. It also provides insights into the typical flight profiles associated with GPS spoofing, offering a clearer understanding of what to expect.

To assist crews in navigating these situations, a one-page checklist style summary has been developed, outlining the best practices and actions to mitigate the impact of GPS interference. In addition, diagrams illustrating GPS reception issues during jamming and spoofing incidents have been included to further support operational decision-making. This guidance, backed by expert input and real-world experience, is designed to help pilots manage the risks associated with GPS spoofing and ensure safer flight operations.

Learn more HERE.

2024 Mentoring Programme for UNSW Flying Students

AIPA and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Department of Aviation invite members to participate in the AIPA/UNSW Mentoring Programme tailored for UNSW’s flying students. Located at Bankstown Airport, UNSW Aviation offers comprehensive training in PPL, CPL, CIR, and ATPL theory as part of its aviation degree courses. This year, 25 flying students have expressed interest in joining the Mentoring Programme.

When not engaged in flying activities, students pursue courses at UNSW's main campus in Kensington, covering subjects such as Flight Safety, Aeronautical Engineering, Airports, Security, and Airline Management. The Department also accommodates remote study options for a Masters degree, facilitating flexibility for students pursuing higher education alongside their flight training.

Mentoring is a voluntary initiative aimed at providing students with insights into the aviation industry and supporting their career development. Mentors will share their experiences to help students navigate their training journey effectively. Depending on volunteer interest, mentors may be assigned more than one student, with the commitment tailored to fit both parties' schedules.

We particularly encourage female mentors to participate in this year's programme, contributing diverse perspectives and experiences to our students' growth.

The next Mentoring Day is scheduled for Wednesday, 25 September 2024, at AIPA’s office. To volunteer or learn more about the programme, please contact AIPA on 02 8307 7777 or email safety.technical@aipa.org.au.

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To help you access AIPA information – refer quick links below:

CoM Contact List | Security Screening Survey | How to Guide – Submitting an Intelex Fatigue Report | How to Guide – Submitting an Intelex Accommodation Report | AIPA Accident Information Directory | AIPA Quick Reference Guide | AIPA Accident Information for Pilots | DAMP Testing Guide

Insights - 5 September '24

From the President

SH EA Deal and Vote - update on where things stand

AIPA 2024 Annual Dinner

Short Haul Insights

Long Haul Update

Legal Update

A Word from Welfare

S&T Update

Podcast Library

Quick Links

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