Operational Flight Data Monitoring, known more recently as Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA), is probably the most important safety tool available to aviation.
Essentially Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) is the exploitation of flight data to support an understanding of the various exposures, the knowledge of which, may successfully lead to the development of mitigations which can be employed to enhance flight safety.
Even though Aviation is probably the safest form of mass transport, there remains an inherent obligation to reduce exposure and thereby drive down accident rates.
The use of Flight data monitoring (FDM) within the airline’s Safety Management System (SMS) may offer a powerful tool to enable the operator to improve and monitor its operational safety and raise awareness of safety issues within the company.
The amount of Digital Data available in modern aircraft facilitates FDM providing the opportunity for effective analysis which is essential to provide for the best decisions regarding both the performance of flight crew as well as the aircraft systems and processes.
Whilst FDM is only required by air operation rules for large aeroplanes (over 27 000 kg maximum certificated take-off mass), It provides for an understanding regarding the circumstances behind minor incidents so trend analysis may be undertaken which in turn can support the modification of operational procedures and training can be improved
Aircraft are analysed to identify any exceedances (a specialist task typically performed using software tools).
Analysis of the data usually takes three forms:
To provide for the Continuous comparison of flight profile, engine and systems operation within a set of defined parameters – the purpose being to detect exceedances.
To enable the Compilation of data to support oversight on a continuous basis of the operation as well as the condition of engines and systems.
To be available when required to support Diagnostics, research and incident investigation.
Once an event has been identified, it should be confirmed as a valid “event” after which the flight safety officer is able to investigate the circumstances which sit behind the event. Remember this is a non-punitive system which is designed not to point fingers rather to act as an enabler for positive change and system enhancement. (A just or “no blame” reporting culture is essential if a complete picture of the causal factors behind an event is to be identified).
It may be necessary for an Air Safety Report (ASR) to be raised, to comply with the organisations regulatory obligations.
All events should be investigated and appropriate outcomes implemented with full management support.
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Sofema Aviation Services is pleased to provide training for the Implementation, Management and oversight of Flight Data Monitoring.
For details please see www.sassofia.com or email team@sassofia.com
