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Air TrafficAir TrafficQuality Assurance Quality Assurance ProgramProgram

The Federal Aviation Administration

Presented By:

Gary D. Romero

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Air Traffic Quality Assurance ProgramAir Traffic Quality Assurance Program

• Why Have a Quality Assurance (QA) Program?

• Purpose of a QA Program• Structure of a QA Program• Elements of a QA Program

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Definition of Operational Error (OE)Definition of Operational Error (OE)

• An occurrence in which less than the applicable separation results between two aircraft.

• Or between an aircraft and terrain or obstacles

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Definition of Operational Deviation (OD)Definition of Operational Deviation (OD)

• An occurrence in which less than applicable separation exists between aircraft or vehicles and another controller’s area of jurisdiction.

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Definition of AccidentDefinition of Accident

• An occurrence in which any person suffers death or serious injury or an aircraft receives substantial damage.

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Why Have a QA Program?Why Have a QA Program?

• Maintain Integrity of Safety in the ATC System• Provide Oversight to ATC Facilities• Identify Problems in the Areas of:

– Controller Performance– Training– Procedures– Management or Supervision

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PurposePurpose

• Help ensure safety, efficiency, and excellence in the service and products we provide.

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Structure of QA ProgramStructure of QA Program

F a c ility Q u a lityA ssu ra nce O ffice

H u b Q u a lityA ssu ra nce O ffice

R e g io n a l Q u a lityA ssu ra nce O ffice

A ir T ra ff icE va lu a tio ns

A ir T ra ff icIn ve s tig a tio ns

H e a d q u a rte rs

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Elements of QA ProgramElements of QA Program

• Preventative Measures• Evaluations• OE/D Determination• Data Collection• Reporting of OE/D, Accidents• Investigative Teams• Follow-up

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Preventative MeasuresPreventative Measures

• Recorded Reviews• On-the-spot corrections• Performance Observation• Trend Analysis• Quality Assurance Review (QAR)

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EvaluationsEvaluations

• Internal Evaluations– Conducted by facility QA personnel

• External Evaluations– Conducted by Air Traffic Evaluations

Headquarters Branch

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OE/D DeterminationOE/D Determination

• Computer Identified• Controller Identified• Supervisor Identified• Pilot Identified

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Data CollectionData Collection

• Voice Tapes• Radar Data• Controller Statements• Supervisor Statements• Contributing Factors

– Equipment– Other

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Reporting OE/D and AccidentsReporting OE/D and Accidents

• Facilities Report to Higher Authority– Provide a network of information– Identify trends– Share successful tactics among facilities– Hold accountable facility personnel

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Investigative TeamsInvestigative Teams

• Teams formed at the facility level to research cause of OE/D.

• Teams fielded by Headquarters to conduct in-depth investigation into OE/D trends.

• Investigate ATC involvement in accidents and incidents– Do NOT determine mechanical failures of aircraft– Facility QA personnel assist with documentation

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Follow-UpFollow-Up

• Controller Re-Training• Supervisor Re-Training• Changes to Procedures• Changes to Airspace• Changes to Equipment

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