Delta 767 Captain Don Wykoff Steps Up From IFALPA Deputy President

Capt. Don Wykoff, former ALPA executive administrator, was recently elected the 17th president of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) at the Federation’s 66th annual conference, held this year in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Wykoff, who has served as IFALPA’s deputy president since 2010, succeeds Capt. Carlos Limon of Mexicana Airlines.

IFALPA President Capt. Don Wykoff

“Decisions about international airline policy affect pilots first and foremost,” said Wykoff, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 767 captain. “As one of two organizations granted permanent observer status at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Air Navigation Commission, IFALPA is the global representative of airline pilots to the international aviation community from the standpoint of safety and security. As president, a top priority of my administration will be to ensure that pilot voices are heard, loud and clear, at ICAO and at other appropriate forums around the world.”

“With his industry connections and extensive experience, Don, a brilliant tactician, is an excellent choice to guide IFALPA into the future,” said ALPA’s president, Capt. Lee Moak, who attended the conference. “His unique combination of technical and industrial experience is exactly what we need to elevate the Federation to an even higher level as the global airline industry continues to evolve.”

An active IFALPA representative, Wykoff has served as a flight- and duty-time policy advocate, representing the Federation at ICAO to assist in developing flight crew duty and rest requirements and fatigue risk management systems.

ALPA President Capt. Lee Moak

In addition to his experience as ALPA executive administrator from 2008 to 2010, Wykoff has led the Association’s campaign to combat pilot fatigue in the United States and Canada as its Flight-Time/Duty-Time Committee chairman. The Delta captain co-chaired the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee on flight- and duty-time limitations and rest requirements and is currently working with ALPA Canada Board representatives and Transport Canada to support their work to update the framework of flight, duty, and rest requirements in Canada. He also serves as chairman of ALPA’s Strategic Planning Committee.

Wykoff is the fifth ALPA pilot to head the Federation. Other ALPA members elected to the position include Capt. Dave Behncke, Capt. Clancy Sayen, Capt. Dennis Dolan, and Capt. Rob McInnis, who was IFALPA’s president in 1997 when the Canadian Air Line Pilots Association merged with ALPA.

Other ALPA leaders elected to IFALPA offices at this year’s conference include Capt. Rod Lypchuk (Jazz), who is the new executive vice president, administration and finance. Capt. Ray Gelinas (Jazz) was reelected regional vice president, Canada/Arctic; Capt. Craig Hall (Jazz) was elected chair of the IFALPA Security Committee; and Capt. Mark Seal (United) was reelected regional vice president, North Atlantic. In addition, Capt. Bob Perkins (Jazz) was reelected committee chairman for the IFALPA Aerodrome and Ground Environment Committee.

FMI: www.ifalpa.org