Hi Guys,. .The two buzzwords which describe the use of QAR data are OFDM (Operational Flight Data Monitoring)in Europe and FOQA (Flight Operations Quality Assurance) in the US. Use these as keywords in Web Searches and you should get all the background you need. . .However, just to post something here for those interested, I have copied an extract from the Operators Flight Safety Handbook which is freely downloadable from <a href="http://www.gainweb.org/" target="_blank">http://www.gainweb.org/</a> in the Products section. It's a great reference for anyone concerned with Airline Flight Safety anyway.
It also saves my typing finger! And does give you a fair idea behind your QAR downloads.
3.8 FOQA COLLECTION/ANALYSIS. .3.8.1 Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) is the routine downloading and systematic. .analysis of DFDR data whose threshold limits are set (with a suitably built-in safety. .margin) from aircraft systems parameters. The European Community has enjoyed the. .benefits from this process of analysis for over 30 years. The US Community is currently. .implementing FOQA via a Demonstration Project sponsored by the FAA. Airline. .participation is increasing and positive results have been realised.
3.8.2 Modern glass-cockpit and fly-by-wire aircraft are delivered equipped with the necessary. .data buses from which information can be downloaded virtually on demand to a quick-access. .flight recorder for subsequent analysis. Older aircraft can be retrofitted to suit the. .needs of the operator.. .3.8.3 A FOQA programme should be managed by a dedicated staff within the safety or. .operations departments. It should have a high degree of specialisation and logistical. .support. It must be recognised as a programme which is founded on a bond of trust. .between the operator, its crews and the regulatory authority. The programme must. .actively demonstrate a non-punitive policy. The main objective of a FOQA programme. .is to improve safety by identifying trends, not individual acts.. .3.8.4 The purpose of a FOQA programme is to detect latent patterns of behaviour amongst. .flight crews, weaknesses in the ATC system and anomalies in aircraft performance which. .portend potential aircraft accidents.. .3.8.5 Benefits of a FOQA Programme. .3.8.5.1 A successful FOQA programme encourages adherence to Standard Operating Procedures,. .deters non-standard behaviour and so enhances flight safety. It will detect adverse trends. .in any part of the flight regime and so facilitates the investigation of events other than. .those which have had serious consequences. Examples include:. .· Unstabilised and rushed approaches. .· Exceedance of flap limit speeds. .· Excessive bank angles after take-off. .· Engine over-temperature events. .· Exceedance of recommended speed thresholds (Vspeeds). .· Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS/EGPWS) alerts. .· Onset of stall conditions. .· Excessive rates of rotation. .· Glidepath excursions. .· Vertical acceleration. .3.8.5.2 For crewmembers, a properly developed and executed FOQA programme (i.e. one that is. .non-punitive, confidential and anonymous) is non-disciplinary and does not jeopardise. .the crewmember’s career.. .3.8.6 FOQA in Practice. .3.8.6.1 After the data is analysed and verified by the FOQA staff, the events are grouped by. .aircraft fleet and examined in detail by fleet representatives. They use their knowledge of. .the aircraft and its operation to make an assessment. If necessary, a pilot’s association. .representative may be requested to speak informally with the flight crew concerned to. .find out more about the circumstances.. .3.8.6.2 The pilot’s association representative may either just take note of the crew’s comments or. .highlight any deviation from SOP. If deficiencies in pilot handling technique are evident. .then the informal approach, entirely remote from management involvement, usually. .results in the pilot self-correcting any deficiencies. If any re-training is found to be. .necessary, this is carried out discreetly within the operator. An agreed upon. .representative should be the contact with crew members in order to clarify the. .circumstances, obtain feedback, and give advice and recommendation for training or. .other appropriate action. It is suggested that a formal written agreement between the. .organisation and the industrial/trade organisations representing the employees be. .implemented concerning the FOQA programme, as well as any voluntary reporting. .systems.. .3.8.6.3 Where the development of an undesirable trend becomes evident (i.e. within a fleet or at. .a particular phase of flight or airport location), then the fleet’s training management can. .implement measures to reverse the trend through modification of training exercises. .and/or operating procedures.. .3.8.6.4 As a quality control tool, flight data monitoring through a FOQA programme will. .highlight deviations from SOP, which are of interest even if they do not have direct safety. .consequences. This is particularly useful in confirming the effectiveness of training. .methods used either in recurrent training or when crews are undergoing type conversion. .training
...WOW <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> Now you're an authority on it!