Onboard Flight Data Monitoring (OFDM)

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Onboard Flight Data Monitoring (OFDM), also known as Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA), is a proactive process that analyzes routine flight data from onboard data recorders to identify hazards and trends, ultimately improving flight safety and operational efficiency.

What it is

Data Collection

OFDM involves collecting data from various sources on board aircraft, such as Flight Data Recorders (FDRs), Quick Access Recorders (QARs), and Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS), which record parameters like altitude, speed, engine performance, and control inputs.

Data Analysis

The collected data is then downloaded and analyzed to identify unusual or unsafe occurrences, such as excessive descent rates, unstable approaches, near-misses, inefficient fuel usage, or deviations from standard procedures.

Proactive Safety

The goal of OFDM is to identify potential safety risks and operational inefficiencies before they lead to accidents or incidents, allowing for proactive measures to be taken.

Benefits

OFDM programs can help operators identify, quantify, assess, and address operational risks, ultimately leading to improvements in safety, training, maintenance, and operational efficiency.

How it works

1. Data Collection: Aircraft operators collect flight data from onboard recorders.

2. Data Processing: The data is processed using specialized software to extract relevant information.

3. Data Analysis: Analysts review the processed data to identify trends, patterns, and potential safety issues.

4. Actionable Decisions: Based on the analysis, operators can implement changes to training, procedures, or maintenance to improve safety and efficiency.

Examples of OFDM applications

  • Identifying unsafe operating practices: OFDM can reveal if pilots are consistently exceeding certain parameters or deviating from standard procedures.
  • Improving training programs: By analyzing flight data, airlines can identify areas where pilot training needs to be enhanced.
  • Optimizing maintenance schedules: OFDM can help identify potential maintenance issues before they become major problems.
  • Reducing fuel consumption: Analyzing flight data can help identify areas where fuel efficiency can be improved.
  • Improving on-time performance: OFDM can help identify factors that contribute to delays and develop strategies to improve on-time performance.
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