Flight Data Monitoring (FDM)
Liberty University
AVIA 409 - Safety Management Systems
Professor: Andrew Walton
2022
Definitions
Flight Data Analysis is founded on Operational Flight Data Monitoring (OFDM) which in North
America has become known as Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA). It is a process which
routinely captures and analyses recorder data in order to improve the safety of flight operations.
Flight Data Analysis. A process of analysing recorded flight data in order to improve the safety of
flight operations. (ICAO Annex 6 - Operation of aircraft)
Operational Flight Data Monitoring (OFDM) is the pro-active use of recorded flight data from
routine operations to improve aviation safety.
Description
The aviation community is under constant pressure to achieve safety improvement. Operational
Flight Data Monitoring (OFDM) offers an efficient solution to this challenge. OFDM is to some extent
a quality assurance process but also has a vital Safety Management dimension. It involves the
downloading and analysis of aircraft flight recorder data on a regular and routine basis. It is widely used
by aircraft operators throughout the world to inform and facilitate corrective actions in a range of
operational areas by offering the ability to track and evaluate flight operations trends, identify risk
precursors, and take the appropriate remedial action. The potential of OFDM programmes has been
materially enhanced by the rapid expansion in the number of data parameters which can be captured
using digital recorders now routinely carried on aircraft.
ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices
In 2008 Annex 6, to the Chicago Convention was amended in order to introduce a number of
requirments and recommendations related to the implementation of safety management and safety
management systems by operators of commercial air transport aircraft and helicopters. The following
paragraphs pertain to the implementation of OFDM:
Annex 6, Part I - International Commercial Air Transport - Aeroplanes
3.3.5 An operator of an aeroplane of a maximum certificated take-off mass in excess of 27 000 kg
shall establish and maintain a flight data analysis programme as part of its safety management system.
Note.- An operator may contract the operation of a flight data analysis programme to another party
while retaining overall responsibility for the maintenance of such a programme.
3.3.6 A flight data analysis programme shall be non-punitive and contain adequate safeguards to
protect the source(s) of the data.
Note 1.- Guidance on flight data analysis programmes is contained in the Safety Management
Manual (SMM) (Doc 9859).
Note 2.- Legal guidance for the protection of information from safety data collection and processing
systems is contained in Annex 13 , Attachment E.
Annex 6, Part III - International Operations - Helicopters
1.3.5 'Recommendation' - An operator of a helicopter of a certified take-off mass in excess of 7 000
kg or having a passenger seating configuration of more than 9 and fitted with a flight data recorder
should establish and maintain a flight data analysis programme as part of its safety management system.
Note.- An operator may contract the operation of a flight data analysis programme to another party
while retaining overall responsibility for the maintenance of such a programme.
1.3.6 A flight data analysis programme shall be non-punitive and contain adequate safeguards to
protect the source(s) of the data.
Note 1.- Guidance on flight data analysis programmes is contained in the Safety Management
Manual (SMM) (Doc 9858).
Note 2.- Legal guidance for the protection of information from safety data collection and processing
systems is contained in Annex 13 , Attachment E.
Benefits
FDM strongly contributes to increased flight safety and operational efficiency by:
Providing data to help in the prevention of incidents and accidents. Fewer flight accidents not
only reduce material losses and insurance costs, but also keep passengers' confidence high.
Improved operational insight: providing the means to identify potential risks and to modify pilot
training programs accordingly.
Improved fuel consumption: FDM provides the ability to identify and make adjustments to
company operating procedures or specific aircraft with unusually high fuel burn rates.
Reduction in unnecessary maintenance and repairs: FDM data can be used to help reduce the
need for unscheduled maintenance, resulting in lower maintenance costs and increased aircraft
availability.
Improved ground conditions and airports: in certain cases, airlines can use the data captured
from their FDM program to support requested changes to air traffic control and airport
procedures.
Reduced number of ACARS messages: non-critical data (e.g. take-off reports, stable cruise
reports) that are sent via ACARS messages, can be acquired, recorded and transmitted via flight
data monitoring equipment
Reduced reliance on flight data recorders: flight-monitoring data can be transmitted
automatically over the Internet and be analyzed without delay.
Adherence to noise restrictions: flight data monitoring helps airlines demonstrate adherence to
noise restrictions in terms of being able to verify or deny actual infringement, and avoid
incurring fines.
Improved monitoring of flight crew's cosmic radiation exposure: flight data monitoring can assist
in tracking radiation exposure
Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) programmes provide a powerful tool for the proactive hazard
identification.
