ACSF Launches Flight Data Monitoring Program for Small Aircraft Operators

According to the National Transportation Safety Board’s “Most Wanted List,” it is a best practice to capture and analyze aircraft flight data using a Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) program. That’s why the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF.aero), a nonprofit aviation safety organization whose mission is to improve the safety of air charter and private aviation flights, is launching a brand-new Flight Data Monitoring program for its member companies.

In fact, implementing an FDM program is the “next logical step” for aircraft operators who also use a Safety Management System (SMS) and are active members of the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), noted Bryan Burns, President of the Air Charter Safety Foundation.

In the process, the ACSF will serve as a third-party FDM advisor and educational resource for its members, in a similar capacity to how it facilitates each member’s Aviation Safety Action Program.

To offer a turnkey FDM solution, the ACSF is teaming up with aviation technology innovators, AirSync and CloudAhoy. AirSync will provide members FDM access with flight data collection hardware and connectivity, while CloudAhoy will provide its P-FOQA software for flight data analysis.

As a part of this FDM effort, the ACSF began a beta test with three ACSF member companies. As a result, the ACSF will support its members in launching an FDM of their own. For example, the ACSF team is able to:

• Assist flight departments in determining the necessary FDM program scope.

• Help members source available FDM hardware and software solutions with AirSync and CloudAhoy (or other partners, as needed).

• Educate the member’s staff regarding the non-punitive nature of an FDM program.

• Analyze routine flight data captured from aircraft systems to improve safety performance, and, as well, analyze all de-identified member data.

• Provide an FDM Program Manual and a section on FDM for their Flight/General Operations Manual.

• Discuss quarterly reports highlighting the member’s FDM performance benchmarked with ACSF aggregate data information.

• Help address systemic issues identified through FDM.

• Share trends to help improve safety events and incidents.

To join the ACSF, visit acsf.aero/join, and to learn more about the Flight Data Monitoring for ACSF members, visit acsf.aero/FDM.

All third-party products and services available to ACSF members are subject to the terms and conditions of the third-party providers, and these providers are solely responsible for their delivery of the product or service.