Introduction to Global Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring

Presented to: Helitech International 2014

By: Captain Mike Pilgrim Managing Director Helinalysis Ltd. Co-Chair Global HFDM Steering Group

HFDM – The Basics

www.HFDM.org

http://www.hfdm.org/

Oct 16th 2014 – RAI Amsterdam

HFDM Workshop – Helitech International 2014

Global HFDM Steering Group

• Vision: – Routine and effective utilisation

of HFDM in a just culture environment across the global helicopter industry.



Global HFDM Steering Group

• Mission: – Improve helicopter safety

through provision of focus and leadership on issues concerning the manufacture, provision, support and operation of HFDM systems.



The Definition of

Flight Data Monitoring.

Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) is the systematic, pro-active and just use of digital flight data from routine operations to improve aviation safety. Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) programmes assist an operator to identify, quantify, assess and address operational risks.



Routine operations

Accidents

Serious incidents

Minor incidents

FREQUENCY OF EVENT

Seve

rity

of e

vent

PROACTIVE?

Active Failures and Latent Threats

REACTIVE Why HFDM?



FDM

O O

IIII

O O

This is Why



• What do we mean by Flight?

Flight Data Monitoring Data will only be worth anything if the aircraft

is actually doing something.

So ‘flight’ is from power on to power off



• and Data?

Flight Data Monitoring Anything about the state of the aircraft which

can be recorded:

Airspeed Rate of climb/descent

Flight control positions Engines / rotors / temps &

pressures



• What about monitoring?

Flight Data Monitoring Careful analysis of groups of data for indications of

anything undesirable.

So what does it look like?



Flight Data – Take-Off



Flight Data – Altitude

Altitude



Pitch Attitude

Flight Data – Pitch



Solid State Quick Access Recorder

How do we get the data?



Aircraft without FDRs

Stand alone units Power Earth Geospatial Digital (Optional) Video (Optional) Engine Data



Now I have the knowledge

Start compiling your trend information

Its not about individual incidents Aggregate the event types Produce readable reports Involve your staff Don’t talk about individual events in

terms of the crews who flew them



Case Study #1 Approach Deviation



• Deviation From Flight Path – Picked up by ATC – Air Safety Report submitted – FSO Interested but no Immediate

Action

• FDM Programme?




What the FDM had seen!

Elemental SMS Solutions



Deviation From Procedure – Picked up by ATC Air Safety Report submitted FSO noted incident FDM Data Checked – Multiple events found FDM Manager & FSO Meeting




Case Study 2

Expedited Approaches

Crews report ATC requests to expedite approaches FDM High Rate of Descent Events



30 SECS

-1000fpm

700ft 150ft

Rate of Descent

Pilot Radio Key



Case Study 2

Solution?

ATC – Expedite only when safety dictates Crews – Take responsibility and

respond accordingly.



Demonstrable safety: Don’t just think you’re safe, KNOW YOU’RE SAFE

Flight Data Monitoring

Introduction to Global Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring

Travel

Transcript of Introduction to Global Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring