Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring Joint Helicopter Safety Implementation Team Information, Systems & Equipment Implementation Working Group Lindsay Cunningham Evans, American Eurocopter Stuart Kipp Lau, CAPACG Bernard J. Raysor, Arkansas Children s Hospital 1
IHST Goal: To reduce worldwide helicopter accident rate by 80% by 2016! Reduce accidents save lives!!! 2
JHSAT Standard Problem Statements: 3
450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 367 275 JHSAT Intervention Categories 173 143 119 43 33 28 4 Training Safety Management Frequency Information Maintenance Systems & Equipment Regulatory Instructional Infrastructure
Overview of Recommended Safety Equipment for Helicopters 1. Flight Data Acquisition devices / Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) programs 2. Wire Strike Protection System (WSPS) 3. Proximity detection equipment 4. Enhanced/synthetic vision systems 5. Other optional aircraft warning systems 6. Survivability equipment 5
A special thank you to individuals and companies who have contributed to U.S. JHSIT HFDM efforts: Casey Delanghe, Appareo Systems Mac Cookson, FAA Tony Cramp, Shell Aircraft Anna Cushman, FAA Roy Fox, Bell Helicopter Dick Healing, R3 Consulting Mike Hurst, JHSIT Resource, PHI Kevin Kelly, FAA FDM Bob Lynch, NASA Jim Morgan, Bristow Helicopters Nick Norman, Bristow Helicopters Patrick Pezzatini, Eurocopter Mike Pilgrim, CHC Bob Sheffield, Shell Aircraft Jared Simon, PHI Mike Suldo, Safeflight Joe Syslo, American Eurocopter Robert Vandel, FSF Jeff Warner, Outerlink Bob Whetsell, Aerobytes Ben Wright, Appareo Systems 6
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Why do we need flight data? Additional data source for information in accident investigation Accident prevention due to operational oversight Tool for training/flight test Data validation in the event of an incident Acquisition of fleet data Support implementation of Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) program 8
What is Flight Data Monitoring (FDM)? Involves capturing and analyzing flight data to determine if the pilot, aircraft systems, or aircraft itself deviated from normal operating conditions Data allows analysts to investigate predefined exceedances for corrective action and trend analysis Designed to respond to normally unreported events to modify procedures and behavior in a non-punitive manner and thereby prevent accidents 9
Traditional process: FIX FLY CRASH 10
HFDM Process: CRASH FIX FLY IDENTIFY RISKS THROUGH HFDM 11
A visual explanation of FDM: Current Intervention Point FDM Intervention Point 1 30 300 The accident that finally occurs. For the few incidents that are reported, which ultimately results in Hundreds near misses, incidents and events go unreported The Heinrich Pyramid Data from Appareo Systems LLC, Feb 2008 12
Why FDM? For every major accident there are several less significant accidents, hundreds of reportable incidents and thousands of unreported incidents. Below this lie the normal variations present in all operations. FDM gives more detail on the incidents, encourages more consistent reporting and fills in the void below this that we know very little about. (HOMP Study) Information sources added 13
FDM by another name FOQA Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FAA) FDA Flight Data Analysis (ICAO) FDM Flight Data Monitoring (CHC) HFDM Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring (Cougar) HOMP Helicopter Operations Monitoring Program (Bristow/Air Log) LAMP* Line Activity Monitoring Program (PHI) HUMS Health & Usage Monitoring Program MOQA Maintenance Operational Quality Assurance 14
Flight Data Monitoring History 1960s: FDM with British Airways and TAP Air Portugal 1993: FSF recommends FOQA beyond airlines Late 1990s: Airline FOQA becomes commonplace 2002: Final CAA HOMP trial paper issued June 2005: FSF/NBAA C-FOQA Trial Late 2006: New recorder technology enables GA FDM 2008: Bristow/Air Logistics FAA-approved HOMP 2009 IHST/FSF Helicopter FDM Trial 15
FDM really works! 95% Reduction in Low Cruise Events 95% Reduction in Low Cruise Events *25,000 flight hours over six month period collected by ALERTS 16
So why not sooner for helicopters? 17
Some FDM challenges in the helicopter community: Instilling a JUST CULTURE as part of a Safety Management System Diversity of models and missions Small fleet size Traditional Flight Data Recorders impractical for light/legacy fleet! 18
Who is using FDM? Operator Bristow Bristow/Air Logistics CHC Cougar Helicopters Era Aviation PHI Arkansas Children s Hospital Primary Mission (Secondary) Oil and Gas (SAR) Oil and Gas Oil and Gas (SAR) Oil and Gas (SAR) Oil and Gas (EMS) Oil and Gas (EMS) EMS Others 19
Proven Benefits of FDM: Significant increase in safety and reduction of accidents Airline industry for more than a decade Offshore helicopter operations Significant cost savings Accident/Incident prevention Modified procedures Prevent unnecessary inspections Accident investigations Provides objective data otherwise not available Can be used for training and flight test Source of fleet information 20
So I am ready for an FDM Program, where do I begin? 21
About the Toolkit: Benefits of HFDM HFDM history Approved vs. non-approved programs Prerequisites for an HFDM Program Step-by-step plan for implementing an HFDM Program HFDM resources, sample I&O Plan, & sample pilot agreement 22
FDM Planning and Preparation Identify stakeholders Establish a steering committee Define goals and objectives Select FDM team Define safeguards Select equipment and software Define events Pre-brief Stakeholders Establish pilot agreement Approved or non-approved Develop Implementation and Operations (I&O) Plan Apply for regulatory approval if applicable (can be submitted any time) 23
Implementation and Operations Install equipment Train the FDM team Involve stakeholders Collect and process airborne data Analyze and validate data Develop information feedback process Define remaining start-up criteria 24
Continuing Operations Conduct periodic reviews Track costs and benefits Evaluate emerging technologies Expand data usage Market the HFDM Program Conduct periodic review meetings with stakeholders Ensure data is used for continuous improvement 25
Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring Toolkit Revision 1 www.ihst.org 26