IFALPA published a Safety Bulletin, based on a Safety Alert issued by US ALPA, concerning operations in US class A airspace without ATC communications or ATC surveillance.
As part of its contingency planning for the closure of air traffic control facilities, also termed “ATC Zero” (ATC-0), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is utilizing an airspace management strategy that allows operations during ATC-0 situations in Class A airspace.
The ATC-0 operations are conducted without the availability of air traffic control (ATC) services, including aircraft-to-aircraft separation, ATC surveillance, and air-to-ground communications with air traffic controllers at an ATC facility such as an Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). Flight crews will generally be on their own to maintain safety in ATC-0 airspace.
We encourage you to take note of this important Safety Bulletin in case you operate in US airspace.
