Flight data monitoring

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Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) is an aviation technique of collecting and analyzing data using a flight data recorder to improve flight crew efficiency, operational procedures, flight training, assistance from flight navigation services, aircraft maintenance and aircraft design.

The ICAO called FDM as Flight Data Analysis (FDA) , the FAA 's called Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) . It is the same program. FDM is in ICAO Annex 6 Art. 3.6.3 for airlines that use aircraft with a max. Operate take-off weights greater than 27,000 kg, compulsory since Jan. 1, 2005. For aircraft with max. Take-off weight of more than 20,000 kg recommends ICAO Annex 6 3.6.2 to operate an FDM program since Jan. 1, 2002, but this is voluntary. The procedure is intended to be used continuously as part of flight safety programs and reduction of incidents and accidents.

For all airlines that are IOSA - IATA Operational Safety Audit certified according to Art. ORG 3.3.13, a flight data analysis program is also mandatory; this regardless of the max. Take-off weight of the aircraft to be operated.

The EASA European Aviation Safety Agency has also adopted the ICAO regulation accordingly in the EU-OPS 1.037 regulation.

FDM is a preventive safety tool that provides the "aircraft perspective". In contrast to this, ADREP, which is also established in most airlines, offers the “pilot's perspective”. FDM is used both in normal flight operations and during incidents. With the consent of all persons involved, the flight data is collected on a scheduled flight with the help of the flight data recorder. This data is analyzed after the flight. It is important that this data is collected anonymously and is only used for analysis, but not to punish the people involved in the event of any misconduct. This is the only way to obtain objective information in advance to avoid accidents.

FDM data is used in five areas:

  • in connection with databases
  • for routine measurements
  • during accident investigations
  • to maintain airworthiness
  • to discover security violations

Initially, FDM was mainly used when there were no post-accident survivors to report on what happened to the aircraft. The flight data recorder was and is still housed in a break-proof and fireproof housing in the rear of an aircraft.

See also

literature