Integrating Flight Data Monitoring into the Aviation Safety Management System (SMS)

Presented by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com

Introduction – The Benefits of FDM integrated in the SMS

Bringing together the data available within the FDM Program as well as the Safety Management System Database – provides an opportunity to benefit from the total organization data set, rather than leaving information in “Silos”

FDM-derived Data is able to support the development of Safety Performance Indicators (SPI) and can be linked to the operators’ risk register. Consider that FDM is a data source both for reactive reporting (Occurrence / Hazard reporting) and proactive reporting (Safety awareness).

FDM helps in checking whether risks have been effectively mitigated by corrective actions.

      - The More Information we have the better is our potential for understanding.

      - Whilst Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) Pre-Dates SMS in our “Aviation System” FDM is actually an element or subset of our SMS.

      - Supporting core processes of the SMS by enabling the identification and the assessment of risk.

      - The process elevates the safety awareness in all departments including non-operational departments including HR & Finance

      - Flight data provides clarity related to any occurrences

      - FDM can be used to achieve better standardization of the operations.

      - FDM can provide feedback to the flight crew members (An Incentive?)

Reality Check - SMS is actually far more powerful when FDM Data is available to be integrated allowing correlation between FDM data and SMS data for example from an Air Safety Report

Considering the “How” of Integration?

The FDM Program has the potential to capture a significant amount of data which can support an enhanced understanding as well as the facilitation of the

accurate reconstruction of incidents. As such FDM Data can play a major role as an SMS “Data Source”

Related to FDM – Risk Monitoring

      - FDM should always be part of any operational risk monitoring.

      - FDM processes should be as transparent as possible

      - FDM should provide up-to-date information to all management levels and to the flight crews.

      - FDM indicators should be updated frequently and they should be accessible so that they are fully integrated in the SMS.

SMS – FDM Data Collection 

The organization requires a system is in place to enable the collection and analysis of flight data on a frequent basis.

FDM Competence Considerations

The skills of the FDM and SMS teams are key for successfully ‘breaking data silos’ between FDM and other data sources.

Bringing together the various sources of safety data in a smart way requires a good understanding of these data and how they will be used, as well as IT competence.

Organizational FDM Integration

Required in all EASA Member States since 29 October 2014 a basic FDM program is mandatory for aircraft with an MTOW over 27 000 kg and operating for commercial air transport. The FDM Program provides the organization with an opportunity to enable enhanced operational safety, by enabling better monitoring of the organizational risks as well as the potential for improving operational efficiency (Fuel?)

        - Principles should be defined in the internal policy ruling the SMS and the FDM to ensure the efficient exchange of data.

        - A clear understanding of all cultural aspects at the operator together with a correct analysis of the safety culture

        - The level of safety and organizational awareness is typically driven by management and resource allocation.

Next Steps

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com & Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com offer Flight Data Monitoring Training Courses as wither Classroom, Webinar or Online for additional information or guidance please email team@sassofia.com