As the largest airline pilot union in the world, ALPA is uniquely committed to safety, in large part because of our founding members' determination to build safety into the core structure of the Association. For more than 85 years, generations of airline pilot representatives have maintained the integrity of ALPA’s motto, “Schedule with Safety”.
Today, more than 400 dedicated pilot representatives make up ALPA’s Air Safety Organization (ASO), the world’s largest nongovernmental aviation safety organization. ASO representatives are responsible for maintaining the Association’s unparalleled reputation for excellence in the areas of safety, security, and pilot assistance.
The ASO works on numerous aviation safety activities, including:
- Accident and Incident Investigations
- Voluntary Safety Programs
- Aircraft Certification
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems
- Airport Safety Liaisons (ASLs)
- Canadian Issues
- Energy and Environmental Issues
- Human Factors and Pilot Training
- Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- Air Traffic Control and Procedures, including NextGen
The ASO also works to develop and maintain numerous aviation security measures, including:
- Secondary Cockpit Barriers
- Laser Awareness
- Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program
- Jumpseat Issues
- Canadian Issues
- Cybersecurity
- Risk-based security measures
Pilot Assistance offered by the ASO includes:
- Aeromedical assistance
- Critical Incident Response program (CIRP)
- Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS)
- Professional Standards
- Canadian Pilot Assistance
While not part of the ASO, the President’s Committee for Cargo and the President’s Committee for Remote Operations are also coordinated with and assisted by the ASO.
Yes, ALPA’s ASO does all this and much more! These extraordinary representatives serve with unmatched passion and knowledge to advance the piloting profession and the airline industry.