Flight operations quality assurance
Flight operational quality assurance (FOQA, ) also known as flight data monitoring (FDM) or flight data analysis, is a method of capturing, analyzing and/or visualizing the data generated by an aircraft moving through the air from one point to another. Applying the information learned from this analysis helps to find new ways to improve flight safety and increase overall operational efficiency. Several airlines and various national air forces have initiated FOQA programs to collect, store and analyze recorded flight data. The goal is to improve overall aviation safety, increase maintenance effectiveness and reduce operational costs. Acronyms FOQA = flight operational quality assurance, FDM = flight data monitoring, FDA = flight data analysis, MOQA = maintenance operational quality assurance, MFOQA = military flight operational quality assurance, SOQA = simulator operational quality assurance, CFOQA = corporate flight operational quality assurance, HFDM = helicopter flight data monitoring, HOMP = helicopter operational monitoring program. Applications As a result of an ICAO Annex 6 mandate, all airlines are required under regional legislation to implement Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) programs. However, in the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not yet require FOQA programs for commercial operators. The data recorded can be either pilot