1. Flight Operational Quality Assurance
(FOQA)
FOR
Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring
(HFDM)
Presented by:
Tom Longridge
JDA Aviation Technology Solutions
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2. What is FOQA?
Systematic, pro-active, and non-punitive use of
digital flight data from routine operations to
improve aviation safety…
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3. FOQA Concept
External Sources
Flight • Safety Reporting Systems
Data • Maintenance Databases
• Weather
Ground Manufacturers
Analysis
Facility Flight Training
FOQA TEAM
De-identified • Monitoring Team Mx/Engineering
Data • FOQA Analyst
• Safety Staff ATC/Airports
Events
and • Working Groups Safety
Measurements
Flight Operations
What Has Happened Why It Happened
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4. What FOQA Brings to Safety
Safety not be defined as absence of accidents
FOQA allows operators to know:
How close to “brink”
Problem severity
FOQA enables decision-makers to actively identify,
manage and reduce risks
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5. Why FOQA is Important
Objective, quantitative data routinely collected during
normal operations
FOQA data:
Provides objective measures of normal operations
Enables early identification of problem areas
Reduce risk and increase safety and reliability
Identifies actionable information that can lead to
change
FOQA helps change aviation safety from reactive to a
proactive mode
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6. FOQA in U.S.
Voluntary program in U.S.
Should be non-punitive and focus on identification of root causes and their
correction not place blame
Just Culture
Operators are not required to obtain FAA approval of FOQA programs
Operators that seek FAA regulatory protections for FOQA data must
obtain FAA approval of their FOQA programs
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7. FOQA Milestones
1991 - FAA contracts Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) to investigate
feasibility of flight data analysis programs for US airlines
FSF report documents feasibility for US and coins the term “FOQA”
1995 - DOT holds “Zero Accidents Safety Summit”
Recommendation - FAA encourage and facilitate FOQA
implementation at U.S. air carriers
1995 - FAA funded FOQA Demonstration Project
1999 - UK CAA/Industry jointly funded Helicopter Operations
Monitoring Program (HOMP) study
2009 - IHST publishes 1st Edition of HFDM Toolkit
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9. FOQA Technology Components
Airborne data recording and collection systems
Data Transmission Systems
Ground Data Replay & Analysis System (GDRAS)
Data analysis & visualization tools, e.g., Flight
Animation Systems
FOQA technology - has become increasingly
feasible for entire range of commercial helicopter
operators
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10. Data Acquisition Technology
Dramatic Changes in Technology Past Decade
Quick Access Recorders (QARs), e.g. optical disk
Mini-QARs (Solid State Memory Devices)
Combination units that combine QAR function with Flight Data
Acquisition Unit (FDAU)
Light Aircraft Recording Systems (LARS)
Self-contained GPS/Inertial units can capture essential aircraft
state information without system bus interface
Newly purchased aircraft may be ordered FOQA equipped, or
FOQA ready, directly from the factory
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11. Media Evolution
Tapes – now obsolete
Optical Disks
PCMCIA Cards
Compact Flash Cards
Solid state memory
devices
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12. Data Retrieval Methods
Manual
e.g. physical removal of disk or pcmcia card
e.g. in-aircraft transfer of data from recording media to
portable unit
Electronic
e.g. wireless
e.g. cell phone
e.g, satellite
Many competing technological approaches to choose
Considerations:
expense
in-aircraft equipment installation
availability of airport infrastructure
bandwidth
operating environment
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13. Possible Considerations for
Choice of Equipment
Capability Comparison CommuniCube Teledy
Data Retrieval Methods
Manual Data Retrieval
Autom atic Data Retrieval
Cellular Modem
WiFi 802.11Modem
VHF Modem
Satellite Modem
Pre Process Data
Connectivity
ARINC 717 / 573 1
ARINC 429 Rx 7 1
ARINC 429 Tx 7 1
Ethernet 4
RS 422 2 1
RS 232 4
Analog Inputs 44
Analog Outputs 4
Digital Inputs 64
Storage Media (up to GB) 64
Software/Hardware Upgrades
Flight Tracking
FDR Correlation
Satellite phone
Electronic Flight Bag Connectivity
Maintenance Tracking
Maintenance Manual Storage
Upload to Aircraft Databases
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14. FOQA Analysis Software
Provide configuration tools for parameters, Logical Frame Layouts (LFLs),
aircraft, airports, events, etc.
Transform flight-recorded data into usable format for processing & analysis using
LFL
Process data
Analyzes data to detect triggered events & routine operational measurements
Generate reports & visualizations to help event interpretation
Generate trend reports
Referred to as Ground Data Replay and Analysis Systems (GDRAS) in US
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15. FOQA Analysis Software (Continued)
Availability and usability of FOQA analysis software improving
1996: Two vendors
2004: Eight vendors
2011: Sixteen-plus vendors?
More efficient
1992 FSF Study: One analyst for 20 aircraft
Now: One analyst for 250 aircraft or more
Easier to customize
Build your own events
Better analysis & visualization tools
Vendor analysis services can reduce in-house labor
requirements
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17. Flight Animation Systems
Creates real-time, interactive, high fidelity graphical depictions of
flight & simulator data
Great analysis & communication tool
Helps better understanding of some events
Useful for training (new airfields, event recreation)
Can be tied into simulator for debriefing purposes
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18. Typical Data Users In
an Operator’s FOQA Program
Maintenance/Engineering 57%
Operations 71%
Operations Control and Dispatch 18%
Performance Engineering 29%
Pilot Association 32%
Safety 93%
Training 54%
Other 11%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
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19. Pre-defined Events
allow streamlined analysis
Events = Grouping of parameters to describe well-
recognized, flight operation “evaluation” points to be
tracked and monitored
Two types of Events:
Triggered Events
Routine Operational Measurements
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20. Triggered Events
Occur outside normal operating envelopes for specific
make/model/series
Defined in terms of values of applicable parameters
May be specified in terms of seriousness: Low – Medium - High
Generates data characterizing each event
Example Triggered Event:
Excessive pitch-up during landing
Pitch>15 degrees, Elevation<50 feet MSL, Ground Speed<40
knots, Duration<2 seconds
Excessive rate of descent
Elevation<10K ft MSL, Ground Speed>30 knots, Vertical
Speed>1500 ft/min, duration>2 seconds
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21. Routine Operational Measurements
Provides “Snapshot” of normal operations
Useful for tracking how close to edge of normal operations is being
experienced
Provides statistical information that can be used to determine what
is “normal”
Example Routine Operational Measurements:
Takeoff/climb speed at 400 feet MSL
Vertical Speed, Ground Speed at 450 ft MSL, Latitude 34o 1.0 min
North, Longitude 118o 27.2 min West
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22. Distribution Based Analysis
Some operators prefer distribution-based approach to focus on
triggered events and routine operational measurements
More powerful analysis and identification of anomalies
Entire distribution of values for every FOQA parameter is collected and
analyzed
Allows determination of shape, average value, and variance of a
distribution for given period of time.
Entire distributions compared over time
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23. Change in Parameter
Distribution Over Time
P
A
R V
A A
M L
TREND
E U
T E
E
R
TIME IN MONTHS
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24. U.S. Regulatory Protections
FOQA Rule (14 CFR Part 13.401)
Effective 30 November 2001
FAA Approved FOQA Programs:
No use of FOQA data for enforcement
Exception - criminal or deliberate acts
Requires aggregate FOQA data to be provided to FAA in form and manner
acceptable to Administrator for use in monitoring safety trends
Requires FAA approved FOQA Implementation & Operations (I&O) Plan
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25. U.S. Regulatory Protections
Safety Data
Safety Data Protection Rule (Part 193)
Published 25 June 2001
FAA Order 8000.81
Effective April 14, 2003
FOQA data provided to FAA from approved, voluntary FOQA program
Protected from public disclosure
FAA protects FOQA data from release under FOIA
Once designated as protected IAW Part 193
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26. FOQA Advisory Circular
(AC No: 120-82)
Published 12 April 2004
Based on review and recommendations by FOQA Aviation
Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARC)
Provides guidance on means to develop, implement, and
operate voluntary FOQA program acceptable to FAA
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27. FAA Access to FOQA Data
Approved FOQA I&O Plans requires:
Provide access to de-identified aggregate and trend data
Regularly brief local FAA office on adverse safety trends
Inform FAA of corrective actions planned or taken
Level of local FAA office involvement varies by operator
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28. FOQA Integration with
Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP)
ASAP - voluntary program for obtaining reports of safety related events,
including alleged violations of FARs
90+ operators have FAA Approved ASAP MOUs
Most U.S. operators with FOQA Programs also have ASAP Programs
FOQA provides objective data on what happened
ASAP provides insight as to why it happened
ASAP is acceptable means of meeting SMS requirement for employee
reporting program
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30. SMS Process Flow for Hazard ID and Risk Management
Start
System Analysis & Hazard
Identification
Inputs: Safety Risk Mgt
System &
•New System
Task
•System Change
Analysis
•New Operational Procedure
Hazard
Identification
Inputs: Safety Risk Mgt
•Hazards identified from Safety
Assurance
Risk
Risk Assessment &
Analysis Control
Evaluate
Controls
Risk Outputs: To Safety
Assessment
Assurance,
Control/
Mitigate
Safety
Risk)
Risk
Control
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31. Closing the Loop with FOQA Data
Identify problems
Determine corrective
Review Data – Acquire Data – action
Evaluate Actions Identify Problems
Taken Evaluate effectiveness of
corrective actions based
on continued acquisition
and analysis of FOQA
data
Analyze Data –
Implement
Corrective
Action
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32. FOQA/ASAP
Information Sharing Meetings
Operators present safety issues identified and actions taken, or
planned
Based on individual FOQA & ASAP data
Includes OPS, FA, DX, and MX employee group ASAPs
Provides for both separate (by discipline) meetings & joint sessions
Managed by MITRE for FAA
Next meeting 29-31 March 2011 in Memphis, TN
Register Online for InfoShare at:
www.mitrecaasd.org/infoshare
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33. Aviation Safety Information
Analysis & Sharing (ASIAS)
FAA program with MITRE IT & analytical support
Aggregate and cross-correlate safety related data from multiple sources:
De-identified FOQA, ASAP, VDRP, ASRS data
FAA data, e.g. ATC radar data, NMACS, AIDS, etc.
Military data
National resource for discovering common, systemic safety problems
Span multiple operators, fleets and regions in global air transportation system
Requires wide industry participation for success
Supports multi-agency data sharing
Supports international data sharing
Governed by joint FAA/Industry ASIAS board
Operator signs non-disclosure agreement and MOU with MITRE
Participation is acceptable means of complying with 14 CFR 13.401
Benchmark individual operations against national average
See http://www.asias.faa.gov/ for further info and contact information
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34. Useful Resources
www.ihst.org
HFDM Toolkit and other resources
www.caa.co.uk
HFDM study reports and other resources
www.foqa-asap.com
Info and tools for both FOQA and ASAP
rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library
FAA FOQA AC 120-82 and other resources
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35. Successful FOQA Programs Require
People A Skilled Team of Professionals
Processes Integrated Step-by-Step Activities
Technology Tools, Technology, and Support
FOQA REQUIRES THE COORDINATION OF ALL THREE
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36. The End
Any Questions?
If you have any questions click on any of the links below to either send us an email or view our
web pages, thank you for your interest. (Links work in Slide Show mode only.)
Our FOQA Team
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Bill Norwood Bob Whetsell Greg Taylor
wnorwood@jdasolutions.aero bobw@aerobytes.co.uk gtaylor@westernavionics.com
www.jdasolutions.aero www.aerobytes.co.uk www.westernavionics.com
301-941-1460 ext 170 512-898-8809 800-668-9704
Presented at Heli-Expo 2011
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