
November 25, 2003
United Airlines was the only airline to comply with FAA's voluntary program of descending all flights to 25,000 feet or lower if radiation levels exceeded 20 uSv/hour, which they did during the last week of October.
It was unusual to see a peak in the cycle of solar flares just two years after the last peak. Normally, this occurs once every 10 years. United's Meteorology and dispatch department monitored the levels and reported daily. Attached is a letter recognizing these efforts, as well as the UAL booklet on cosmic radiation, which was distributed to crewmembers in 2001.
AFA has also done extensive research on this issue; please visit the AFA International Website for more information.
For issues specific to your Council, please contact the Safety, Health, and Security Chairperson in your Local Council.