Standardisation Of Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) In The US Military - Essay Example

Should the U.S military be required to standardize the Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) data on all the aircraft that are in their current inventories? One of the frequently discussed questions regarding the Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) data is whether or not to standardize it incorporating the details of all the aircraft in the current inventories of the US military. We need to consider various aspects of the FOQA data as well as the current issues related to the flights safety and the matters like terrorist threats, manipulation of the data, and the like to reach a levelheaded conclusion. Flight safety is one of the major concerns in the present scenario and there would be not many disputes regarding this. The role of Flights Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) in ensuring flights safety is unquestionable. “The objective of a FOQA program is to use flight data to detect technical flaws, unsafe practices, or conditions outside of desired operating procedures early enough to allow timely intervention to avert accidents or incidents.” (Appendix VI: Case Study on Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) Programs). The unique characteristics of this comprehensive safety system have made it very popular in commercial air services as well as military programs. “FOQA data is unique because it can provide objective information that is not available through other methods. The information and insights provided by FOQA can improve safety by significantly enhancing training effectiveness, operational procedures, maintenance and engineering procedures, and air traffic control procedures” (Voluntary Safety Programs Branch - Program Descriptions, 2006). The widely accepted technique to improve safety risk management, FOQA, has brought incredible safety assurance to the flight passengers which resulted in the plea for a standardization of the data by including all the aircrafts in the US Military inventories. What is the actual scope of FOQA? “Airlines, military units, corporate operators, and others have begun the process of analyzing aircraft flight data to identify contributing factors and corrective actions for situations in which aircraft performance parameters exceed normal limits for a phase of flight. These programs are referred to as Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA, or MOQA in the military).” (Aviation Performance Measuring System (APMS), 2000). The concept of readiness has been one of the primary concerns of the military especially the Navy and implementation of MFOQA was the chief contributor to its efforts. “Seeing is believing. Thats the essence of the approach to military flight operations quality assurance (MFOQA) taken by the U.S. Department of the Navy. The technology enables an aircrew to visualize difficult moments in a recent flight by replaying recorded data on a desktop computer.” (Adams, 2006). To understand the concept clearer, the following illustration of the MFOQA is found valuable. “MFOQA is a knowledge management (KM) process, or program, designed to provide the aircraft operator with timely and quantitative information regarding aircrew and aircraft systems performance for improving operational efficiency of, and reducing risks associated with, flight operations… This proactive approach to effective flight data management serves as an enabling tool for aircraft operators to take “self-corrective” actions based on quantitative data, and provides information to other organizations that can directly benefit from the analytical results of data collected and processed via access to a central data repository containing aggregate Fleet wide data.” (Military Flight Operations Quality Assurance (MFOQA). Thus, the efficiency of the MFOQA is unquestionable. It is one of the reasons why there is greater need for extensive data collection for the program and a better employment of the data collected. A comparison with the traditional flight data usage, as directed by the Naval force, would make it clear that the MFOQA proactive whereas the traditional method is reactive. Also, whereas the traditional data usage is post-mishap directed and meant for “short duration” the MFOQA is available in every flight and the entire flight and is user friendly in method. These peculiar characteristics of the MFOQA make it important to the military. The role of FOQA is amounting in military as well as commercial airline services. Thus, we are aware of the implications of the data for the military propose. The military applications of the program had many beneficial results. The earliest result of the program proved to be effective as it allowed the “Identification of training deficiency,” “Establishment of corrective procedures,” and “Validation of the “fix.”” (MFOQA Military Flight Operations Quality Assurance) It prepares the military to be ready to face any situations and the program adopted by the American Navy is great to consider in this regard. Now to be sure of the paramount role of the program, let us find what this data means to the commercial flight services. “At the company level, a FOQA program could be used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of flight operations within each airline. It could help identify operational problems specific to the airports served by that air carrier or to the aircraft fleets it employs. These data could be used to shape and evaluate air-carrier procedures and training.” (NCARC final report, 1997). Foundation for Excellence, a seminar that presented strategies for improving a good safety record, identified FOQA as an emerging tool for corporate aviation accident prevention and one of the speakers in the seminar, Richard Healing identified data as the foundation to prevent accidents and this made full advantage of in FOQA. “He noted that FOQA data can help to identify precursors to human error, as well as reveal operational, maintenance, training and organizational problems” (Lacagnina). Jeffrey Sands of Altria Corporate Services maintained that his “company’s C-FOQA experience has reduced its risk of an accident by about 25 percent.” (Lacagnina). Another participant of the seminar, Chris Solan, was of the view that “FOQA was among the safety programs that the manufacturer will provide for its customers” (Lacagnina). Thus the great role of the program among the safety measures of the flights was well recognized throughout the seminar and the fact is the same. When we make a comparative analysis in the use of Flight operations quality assurance (FOQA) programs, as the ‘Similar Safety Issues Spur Differing Responses In Commercial And Military Aviation Sectors’ attempts, we come to know how effectively the FAA and the airline industry make use of it compared to the military of the US. It is clear from evidences that the FAA and the airline industry are well ahead of the U.S. military and according to GAO efforts by the military services to initiate FOQA programs are in the very early stages. On the other hand, the Air Force takes the lead through a demonstration project using C-17 aircraft. “The situation by service is revealing: * Air Force: Has a one-year demonstration FOQA project; will use a maximum of 30 C-17 jet transport aircraft. * Navy: Still debating whether FOQA should be used as a training tool to improve aviation safety or as an enforcement tool to protect taxpayer investments in naval aircraft. According to a senior Navy Safety Center official, implementing FOQA in the Navy would be a "tough sell" given competing needs, such as funding to repair engines” (Similar Safety Issues Spur Differing Responses In Commercial And Military Aviation Sectors). In the case of the Army, it drafts policy that reflects that of the FAA’s protection data and some of the aircrafts are equipped with FOQA programs. However, the Coast Guard is yet to take the move forward in this line. The situation is slowly changing but a rapid improvement in this regard is essential. At the end of the discussions on the use of FOQA data as per the present usage, we find that the efforts of the US military to make use of the available technology must be improved. It is commendable to note that US military understands and acknowledges the potential benefits of the program though there are many mission requirements in the implementation of the program that may result in slow progress. However, “the military services have taken various levels of action--from high-level discussions about how to precede with FOQA to initiating demonstration projects for specific aircraft types” (The U.S. Military Services Are Still in the Early Stages of Developing FOQA Programs). Defense Science Board DSB) report “Task Force Report on Aviation Safety’ recommended that “a policy be developed for military transport aircraft that requires the same safety equipment (flight data recorders) as that required for commercial airlines--with waivers to be approved only at the service chief level,” and “that the military services "fully exploit the new opportunities afforded by flight data recorders to collect performance and hardware maintenance data," and noted the value of flight data to monitoring aircraft conditions, crew performance and communication, and aircraft maintenance” (The U.S. Military Services Are Still in the Early Stages of Developing FOQA Programs). These recommendations have their implications even in this particular time. The pertinent question regarding the plea for a standardization of the FOQA data is whether there are any other considerations in the process or not. Nobody may doubt the requirement of a standardization of FOQA data as to ensure better safety in the air transport as well as the military actions. However, the significant question regarding this plea is how much it would affect the interest of the nation in a wider perspective. The global situation is changed very much most importantly in the case of the US. The global phenomenon of terrorism has a greater implication in this regard. “It is not unreasonable to suggest that if the potential for criminalization is anything less than extremely remote, this could bring these proactive programs to a standstill. It is unconscionable to allow this trend toward criminalization to thwart such valuable initiatives as FOQA and ASAP, and therefore the misuse of this data must be prevented” (Criminal Liability and Aircraft Accident Investigation, 2003 p 30). The terrorist and related threats on the US make the situation even worse. Let us be mindful of the fact that the United States is at present at a crossroads when it comes to aviation safety. What is required in this situation is a proactive safety measure. Thus, we identify the issue of standardization of the FOQA data to incorporate the aircrafts in the current inventories of the US military. In conclusion, we may state that whereas the standardization of the FOQA data is of paramount consideration, we need to be vigilant about the implications of a possible misuse of the military data regarding the aircrafts, especially by the terrorist groups, if thoughtless about its standardization. Reference Appendix VI: Case Study on Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) Programs. Retrieved December 15, 2007, from http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0277.pdf Report of the Aviation Safety: FAA and DOD Response to Similar Safety Concerns is one of the major contributions to this as it provides a good perspective to the issues related with FOQA data in connection with the FAA and DOD. The Case Study Report used in this portion is especially contributing to the opening of the paper as it gives the right idea about the various aspects and functions of the FOQA data. Thus the use of this particular source in this paper is particularly in line with the paper’s concerns and rather it contributes to the better understanding of the issue. Voluntary Safety Programs Branch - Program Descriptions. (2006). Flight Operational Quality Assurance. Retrieved December 15, 2007, from http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afs/afs200/branches/afs230/descriptions/ Federal Aviation Administration’s site provides an authoritative source to the study conducted. The idea we collect from this source is peculiar in the sense that it gives a good understanding of the unique nature of the program. It says, “FOQA data is unique because it can provide objective information that is not available through other methods.” And this relates very well to the significance of the program as well as proves the scope of the paper undertaken. Aviation Performance Measuring System (APMS) (2000). Abstract. National aeronautics and space administration. Retrieved December 15, 2007, from http://human-factors.arc.nasa.gov/awards_pubs/publication_view.php?publication_id=26 The abstract used in this paper very well explains the scope of the study as well as of the FOQA program. It gives the application areas of the data and widens the scope of the program. Thus, we identify the role of the data in the “Airlines, military units, corporate operators, and others” and come realize the importance of widening the scope of the program. Apart from these, the source also functions as the indicator to the larger question under consideration - whether standardization of the data is required or not. Adams, Charlotte. (2006). Military FOQA Next Step in Safety. The U.S. Department of the Navy has launched a dedicated flight operations quality assurance program. Retrieved December 15, 2007, from http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/categories/military/748.html Charlotte Adams in the article provides a very important secondary material to the study undertaken. Through the reference used we come to understand that the relevance of the FOQA data is great as it has proven its merit by the examples of the successful story of implementation ion the military and the use of the same in the Naval wing of the nation. As the material clarifies, we believe from the examples before us. Thus, the source seems to contribute much more than what is apparent. Military Flight Operations Quality Assurance (MFOQA). (2003). Opportunity Analysis. Retrieved December 15, 2007, from http://www.simauthor.com/AssetsAndWhitePapers/MFOQAOpportunityAnalysisFinal.pdf Opportunity Analysis source that is used in the paper is one of the most significant sources when we consider the MFOQA which is a major concern of the paper. We come to realize what an MFOQA means and what are the peculiarities of the program and the related issues. Also the overall analysis of the source is found very helpful in finding out the exact characteristics of the program and the related matters. The source is very important in the sense that we gather a better idea about the MFOQA. MFOQA Military Flight Operations Quality Assurance. Retrieved December 15, 2007, from http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/PRESENTATIONS/aviation/sourcefile/mfoqaintro.ppt#257 The source used here is relevant as the continuation of the topic on MFOQA which is established through the previous sources and the discussions thereafter. Here the usefulness of the MFOQA program is well established with the earliest examples. Thus, we understand that the program was useful to prove its effectiveness. In the “Identification of training deficiency,” “Establishment of corrective procedures,” and the like, the program was very effective. Thus, the source contributes to the paper as a whole. NCARC final report. (1997). Avoiding Aviation Gridlock & Reducing the Accident Rate. Retrieved December 15, 2007, from http://www.faa.gov/library/reports/aviation/final/media/NCARC_Rpt_PartIII_SectIII.pdf In the source used here we get the clear picture of the use of FOQA in the commercial aviation and its efficiency in their programs. Here, the focus of interest is the comparison that we are able to draw out between the commercial aviation and the military aviation in their use of the FOQA. Here, we make out that the commercial aviation has made the best use of the program illustrating the effect of the program. Lacagnina, Mark. Foundation for Excellence. Retrieved December 15, 2007, from http://www.flightsafety.org/asw/july07/asw_july07_p42-45.pdf We can arrive at a conclusion on the effective use of FOQA data by the private air services from the report of the seminar. This article provides us with the best example of the effective implementation of the program by the various aviation agencies. The successful stories of these various companies as made clear in the seminar are presented by Lacagnina making a great contribution to the paper’s argument. Similar Safety Issues Spur Differing Responses in Commercial and Military Aviation Sectors. (2002). Bnet.com. Retrieved December 15, 2007, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0UBT/is_5_16/ai_82493543 By the use of this particular source we are able to make a comparative analysis of the implementation of FOQA in military and in the aviation program. Here, we notice that a better and faster implementation of the program in the Navy, Army, and the Coastguard needs to be carried out. The source is relevant to the overall analysis of FOQA data in various departments of the US military. The U.S. Military Services Are Still in the Early Stages of Developing FOQA Programs. Case study. Operational quality assurance. P.57. Retrieved December 15, 2007, from chttp://www.tpub.com/content/cg2002/d0277/d02770061.htm The source used here is relevant with regard to an understanding of the FOQA data in relation with the military and we come to note that efforts are made to the best use of the data. As it tells “the military services have taken various levels of action--from high-level discussions about how to precede with FOQA to initiating demonstration projects for specific aircraft types.” The next citation from the same source makes the ideas clear and makes the source very relevant to the paper. Criminal Liability and Aircraft Accident Investigation. (2003). Captain Lindsay Fenwick and Michael Huhn, INTERpilot. p 30. In the final source used in the paper, we can very well identify one of the major issues of the demand in favor of standardization of the flights data incorporating various aircrafts of the military. As the terrorist threats and similar issues exist, we arrive at a conclusion that a thoughtless act has no scope in the question. Annotated bibliography of the previous work Reference Callantine, Todd J. (2000). Analysis of Flight Operational Quality Assurance Data Using Model-Based Activity Tracking. Abstract. Retrieved December 4, 2007, from http://humanfactors.arc.nasa.gov/ihi/hcsl/HPM_pubs/Analysis_ActTrack.pdf In the very first secondary material used we get a clear idea about what FOQA means, how it works out, and the other matters. Here, we notice that “FOQA programs use flight data collected during a carrier’s normal line operations to reduce costs and enhance safety…” In this effort there are many factors involved and we are able to identify some important ones in the source used. The article deals extensively with such technical matters which is important to our paper. Wellington, Sam. (2004). Example application of analysis ground station (AGS). SAGEM Avionics. Retrieved December 4, 2007, from http://flightsafety.org/gain/AGS_application.pdf The source used here is very important to the paper as it provides information about what the term FOQA means. As we understand from the source, it is “a program for obtaining and analyzing data recorded in flight to improve flight crew performance, air carrier training program and operating procedures, air traffic control procedures, airport maintenance and design, and aircraft operations and design.” This understanding is critical as to get a starting awareness of the meaning and working of the program. Thus, the source is very important. FOQA. (2000). Joint Flight Standards Handbook Bulletin for Air Transportation (HBAT) and Airworthiness (HBAW). Retrieved December 4, 2007, from http://72.14.235.104/search?q=cache:jtBXy1UIl14J:www.faa.gov/library/manuals/examiners_inspectors/8300/hbaw/media/HBAW0010.DOC+FOQA&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=in The relevance of the source used is clear from the explication of the purpose of the article itself. “This handbook bulletin updates current handbook guidance by defining the Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) program approval process…” so establishes the article. The matter included in our paper tells, “FOQA programs provide more information about, and greater insight into, the total flight operations environment.” Thus, the source provides additional information about FOQA and is typical in understanding our paper. MILITARY Flight Operations Quality Assurance – MFOQA. (2007). Aviation Safety Improvement starts & ends with DATA, NAVY MFOQA. Searching for Excellence. ERAU - FDM Workshop Daytona Beach FL. P.14. Retrieved December 4, 2007, from http://72.14.235.104/search?q=cache:om4h79Iedy8J:www.capacg.com/reference/pres_PDFs/9_Healing_Military_FDM.pdf+US+Navy+and+FOQA&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=10 As is clear from the text of our paper, the source gives us valuable data regarding the Flight Operations Quality Assurance in its commercial as well as military lines. This has been crucial guideline in sharing information on commercial military and the data covered including CVFDR, CRM, TCAS, EGPWS, and FOQA. Thus, we can see that the material used in the paper is crucial in a better awareness of our paper and its concerns. What is Flight Operations Quality Assurance? (2007). Frequently Asked Questions. FOQA. Flight data service. Retrieved December 4, 2007, from http://www.flightdataservices.com/faqs.php From the source used in this part, we get an idea about the future plans of the Navy in relation with the MFOQA. As we understand from this, the plans are very comprehensive and there is a wider scope of the issue. These ideas about the MFOQA and the Navy’s future plans help us identify the significance o the data in relation with the Navy in particular. Behrens, Theresa. Slide 6, FOQA Data Privacy. United Airlines Flight Operational Quality Assurance. Retrieved December 4, 2007, from http://www.ntsb.gov/events/symp_vr_toptec/Presentations/Panel_4/aviation_behrens.ppt#305,6 The sixth slide of the power point presentation mainly tells us about the purpose of the FOQA data. It “is to discover unknown Safety Issues” through data distribution analysis, information trending, and risk evaluation. And this understanding proves to be important to the whole study undertaken. The safety issues are discovered with the use of the data and this makes people claim the standardization of the data. Behrens Theresa. Slide 7. FOQA Data Privacy. United Airlines Flight Operational Quality Assurance. Retrieved December 4, 2007, from http://www.ntsb.gov/events/symp_vr_toptec/Presentations/Panel_4/aviation_behrens.ppt#305,7 In the seventh slide of the presentation, the author makes it clear that the objective of the FOQA data is to “promote and facilitate the free flow of safety information” and this is very useful information with regard to the understanding of the FOQA and its objective. And the data is very significant in relation to the peculiar nature of our paper. Thus, in the presentation we are provided with information about the characteristics of FOQA. Adams, Charlotte. (2006). Military FOQA Next Step in Safety. The U.S. Department of the Navy has launched a dedicated flight operations quality assurance program. Retrieved December 4, 2007, fromhttp://www.aviationtoday.com/av/categories/military/748.html Adams in the article makes it clear that there have been many an institution that has acknowledged the importance of the flights data. Thus, in the secondary source it is clear that “Navy and Marine Corps leaders are convinced that aviators will accept MFOQA once they see the benefits and come to view it as a safety tool rather than a snooping device.” These along with many other key factors contribute to the effectiveness of the source. Flight Operational Quality Assurance. (2004). Advisory Circular. U.S. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/1ab39b4ed563b08985256a35006d56af/40c02fc39c1577b686256e8a005afb0a/$FILE/AC120-82.pdf The source is also significant to the paper we are dealing with. It gives the right perspective to the nature of the FOQA data. Accordingly, “A FOQA program is neither static nor finite. It is meant to undergo controlled expansion and evolution… The program should be able to accommodate new uses for FOQA data… Once successes are achieved, the process of expanding usage of FOQA information will likely accelerate.” This particularly points to the need for expansion of the data ensuring the demand of the many. Read More