Page 29 - InterPilot 2018, Issue 4

FOUNDING MA: VNV PAGE 28 IFALPA.ORG PAGE 29

AT RIGHT
From the National Archives of the
United States, Federal Register,
V29, N250, Washington,
24 December 1964

MEETINGS
In 1972, 1973, and 1974, the topic of the accelerate-stop distance was high on the agendas in Bogotá, Tokyo, London,
and Montreal. Gradually, the issue gained more attention, from the VNV to the IFALPA conference, by means of IFALPA
study groups and commissions.
During the debates, the pilots often shared their own dramatic experiences. In some countries, they decided to act in an-
ticipation of new legislation. Norwegian pilots reduced the speed of V1 in advance with a random selection of ten knots.
In this way, they tried to avoid an undesirable dive into a fjord.
During the many meetings within IFALPA, but also with ICAO and different aviation authorities, they slowly reached the
same conclusion. The time for startle, surprise, and decision-making had to be included, as well as the desired time to
act after V1 set by IFALPA.
THE CONCLUSION
We were able to read about the conclusion of the hard work in the new Federal Register at the beginning of 1978. Extra
time was added from the moment of engine failure until V1. After V1, pilots gain two extra seconds to close the thrust
levers and apply the brakes. It is the definition (with a few minor amendments) that we still use today.

We will never know how many accidents it has prevented, but thanks to this collaboration between the VNV and IFALPA,
aviation has become much safer.