Appendix A
Event Name Event Description Parameters and Basic Event Definition Notes
Landing Gear Down Speed Exceeded (IAS) An event to detect when the indicated airspeed of the aircraft exceeds the maximum allowable airspeed for operation with the landing gear in the down position.
Landing Gear Position, CAS Landing Gear = Down, CAS > x knots
Late Landing Flaps An event to detect flap movement to the landing flap position below a predetermined altitude.
HAT, Flap Handle Position, Air/Ground Switch Air/Ground = Air, HAT < x feet, Flap Handle Position at x feet HAT < Flap Handle Position at touchdown This event is slightly different from Late Landing Configuration in that it detects flap movement below a set altitude rather than a flap setting.
Low Power on Approach An event to detect aircraft engines not spooled or the power reduced to an unspooled condition below a predetermined altitude.
Air/Ground Switch, HAT, N1 Air/Ground = Air, HAT < x feet, N1 < x %
Landing Gear Operation An event to detect when the indicated airspeed of the aircraft exceeds the maximum allowable airspeed for operation of the landing gear in transit.
Landing Gear Warning, CAS Landing Gear Warning (in transit) = On, CAS > x knots If the operating limitation is different for landing gear extension and retraction, separate events will need to be created for each limitation.
Operation Left of Localizer Centerline An event to detect deviation left of localizer centerline.
Localizer Deviation Left, HAT Localizer Deviation > x dots, HAT > x feet
Operation Right of Localizer Centerline An event to detect deviation right of localizer centerline.
Localizer Deviation Right, HAT Localizer Deviation > x dots, HAT > x feet
Appendix A
Event Name Event Description Parameters and Basic Event Definition Notes
Operation Above Glideslope An event to detect deviation above glideslope.
Glide Slope Deviation High, HAT Glide Slope > x dots, HAT < x feet
Operation Below Glideslope An event to detect deviation below glideslope.
Glide Slope Deviation Low, HAT Glide Slope > x dots, HAT < x feet
Descent Below MDA An event to detect descent below MDA (followed by a climb back to MDA) on nonprecision approaches.
HAT, Altitude HAT < 1,000 feet, Altitude > Altitude in preceding sample + x feet
Flap Limiting Speed An event to detect flap operation at a speed that exceeds the maximum placarded airspeed.
Flap Position, CAS Flap Position = x, CAS > x knots for x seconds This event will be constructed with a different speed limit for each flap setting through the use of a lookup table. It will also detect speed exceedances during retraction in the Takeoff phase of flight.
Go Around An event to detect that the aircraft has begun its descent for landing, discontinues that descent, and does not land from that approach.
HAT, Altitude, N1 HAT < 2,000 feet, HAT > 1 foot, Altitude < preceding Altitude sample for 10 seconds, N1 > 98%, Altitude > any preceding Altitude sample in previous 60 seconds + 300 feet
Appendix A
Event Name Event Description Parameters and Basic Event Definition Notes
ATC Go Around An event to detect a go-around event in which no other events are triggered, such as approach instability, indicating the go around was directed by ATC.
HAT, Altitude, N1, Localizer Deviation, Glide Slope Deviation, CAS HAT < 2,000 feet, HAT > 1 foot, N1 > 98%, Altitude > any preceding Altitude sample in previous 60 seconds + 300 feet, Localizer Deviation < x dots, Glide Slope Deviation < x dots, CAS = VREF ± x knots
Late Landing Configuration An event to detect that the aircraft is not configured with landing flaps and landing gear in the down and locked position at 500 feet HAT.
HAT, Landing Gear Position, Flap Position HAT < 500 feet, Landing Gear Warning = On, Flap Position < x flaps
Tire Limiting Speed An event to detect if the tire limiting speed is exceeded.
Air/Ground Switch, CAS Air/Ground = Ground, CAS > x knots
Pitch High – Landing An event that measures pitch at landing in relation to the angle required to strike the tail of the aircraft.
Air/Ground Switch, Pitch Air/Ground = Ground, Pitch > x degrees from 6 seconds before to 15 seconds after touchdown Limits are based on the angle required for the tail cone to contact the ground with struts compressed.
Pitch Low – Landing An event that measures pitch attitude where the aircraft is in a nose down attitude that might result in an initial nose-gear touchdown or threepoint landing.
Air/Ground Switch, Pitch Air Ground = Ground, Pitch < x degrees from 3 seconds before to 1 second after touchdown
Appendix A
Event Name Event Description Parameters and Basic Event Definition Notes
Landing in a Crab An event to detect failure to align aircraft with the runway at touchdown.
Heading, CAS ∆ Heading at Touchdown vs. Average Heading until CAS = 60 knots
Hard Landing An event that measures excessive G- force at touchdown, indicating a hard landing.
Air/Ground Switch, Vertical Acceleration Air/Ground = Ground, Vertical Acceleration > x G
Bounced Landing An event that measures excessive G- force at touchdown followed by a second excessive G-force, indicating a bounced, hard landing.
Air Ground Switch, Vertical Acceleration Air/Ground = Ground, Vertical Acceleration > x G, followed by second Vertical Acceleration > x G within 20 seconds of first touchdown
Excessive Brake Usage An event to detect higher-than-normal brake application.
Brake Pressure Sum of Brake Pressure readings (one per second) from Touchdown to Runway Turnoff/1000.
Resulting index number > x A routine operational measurement (ROM) would be helpful to determine normal braking at a given airport.
Thrust Reverser Stowed An event that measures the speed at which the thrust reverser is stowed during landing rollout.
CAS, Thrust Reverser Deploy Thrust Reverser = On for 5 seconds before Thrust Reverser = Off, CAS > x knots
Overweight Landing An event to detect landings made in excess of the maximum gross landing weight.
Air/Ground Switch, Gross Weight Air/Ground from Air to Ground + 20 seconds, Gross weight > x pounds
Appendix A
Event Name Event Description Parameters and Basic Event Definition Notes
Abnormal/ Incorrect Landing Flaps An event to detect that the aircraft touched down with flaps in a position less than the minimum expected landing flap setting.
Air/Ground Switch, Flap Position, Air/Ground from Air to Ground + 5 seconds, Flaps < x degrees Will need to be customized for the recommendations in the flight manual.
Runway/Taxi way Rough An event that measures excessive G- force on the ground, indicating defects in runway/taxiway surfaces.
Air/Ground Switch, Vertical Acceleration, CAS Air/Ground = Ground, CAS < 100 knots, Vertical Acceleration >1.3 g
Stick Shaker Operation An event to detect stick shaker operation.
Stick Shaker Stick Shaker + On (L or R)
GPWS Warning An event to detect when a GPWS warning is triggered.
GPWS GPWS = On This event should be subdivided for each of the different warning modes of the GPWS.
Engine Failure An event to detect inflight engine failure/shutdown.
Air/Ground Switch, Fuel Flow, Oil Pressure, EGT Air/Ground = Air, Oil Pressure < x psi, Fuel Flow < x pph, EGT < x degrees
TCAS Advisory An event to detect any TCAS advisory triggered.
TCAS Advisory (Up or Down) TCAS Advisory = On This event should be separated for TCAS Traffic Advisories (TAs) and Resolution Advisories (RAs).
Engine Reverse at Low Speed An event to detect use of engine reverse at low speed that can result in engine overtemps and/or FOD ingestion.
Thrust Reverser, N1, CAS Thrust Reverser = On, CAS < x knots, N1 > x% for x seconds
Appendix A
APPENDIX III. GLOSSARY
GLOSSARY Term Definition ACARS Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System. ACARS is a VHF air/ground data link that uses nearly 600 VHF frequency locations throughout North and Central America, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and several U.S. territories. It relays Aircraft Operational Control (AOC), Airline Administrative Control (AAC), and Air Traffic Control (ATC) messages between ground-based organizations and the cockpit.
ACMS Aircraft Condition Monitoring System. An airborne unit that can create reports such as long-term trend data and aircraft/engine monitoring.
ACMS is mainly used for maintenance applications.
Aggregate Data Detailed data grouped according to some criterion and combined using mathematical or statistical methods (e.g., sum, count, average, standard deviation).
Air Carrier An organization that undertakes -- either directly or by lease or some other arrangement -- to engage in air transportation.
ARINC Aeronautical Radio Incorporated. The ARINC organization is the technical, publishing, and administrative support arm of the Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee (AEEC) groups. AEEC standards define avionics form, fit, function, and interfaces.
ATC Air Traffic Control. A service operated by appropriate authority to promote the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic.
COTS Commercial-Off-the-Shelf. Products, components, or software that are readily available through normal commercial channels, as opposed to custom-built units that would achieve the same functionality.
DAR Digital ACMS Recorder. See ACMS.
Data Frame A data map. See LFL.
De-identified Data Data from which any identifying element that could be used to associate them with a particular flight, date, or flightcrew has been removed.
Appendix A
GLOSSARY Term Definition DFDAU Digital Flight Data Acquisition Unit. A device that acquires aircraft data via a digital data bus and analog inputs, and formats that information for output to the flight data recorder in accordance with requirements of regulatory agencies. In addition to the mandatory functions, many DFDAUs have a second processor and memory module that enables them to perform additional Aircraft Condition Monitoring System (ACMS) functions/reports. The DFDAU can provide data and pre-defined reports to the cockpit printer, or a display for the flightcrew, or directly to Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) for transmittal to a ground station, or to a Quick Access Recorder (QAR) for recording/storage of raw flight data.
DFDMU Digital Flight Data Management Unit. A unit that performs the same data conversion functions as the DFDAU and has the added capability to process data onboard the aircraft. Additionally, this unit has a powerful data processor designed to perform in-flight airframe/engine and flight performance monitoring and analysis. Some DFDMUs have ground data link and ground collision avoidance systems incorporated into the units.
DFDR Digital Flight Data Recorder. A digital device that records pertinent parameters and technical information about a flight. At a minimum, it records those parameters required by the governing regulatory agency, but may record a much higher number of parameters. A DFDR is designed to withstand the forces of a crash so that information recorded by it may be used to reconstruct the circumstances leading up to the accident.
DMU Data Management Unit. A unit that performs the same data conversion functions as a Flight Data Acquisition Unit (FDAU) with the added capability to process data onboard the aircraft. Additionally, this unit has a powerful data processor designed to perform in-flight airframe/engine and flight performance monitoring and analysis. Some DMUs have ground data link and ground collision avoidance systems incorporated into the unit.
EGT Exceedance Guidance Team. See FMT.
EMT Event Monitoring Team. See FMT.
Event An occurrence or condition in which pre-determined limits of aircraft parameters have been exceeded. Events represent the conditions to be tracked and monitored during various phases of flight and are based on sensory data parameters available on a specific aircraft fleet. Events may be categorized at different severity levels based on the degree to which the associated limits were exceeded. Most FOQA trend analysis is based on event monitoring and tracking.
Appendix A
GLOSSARY Term Definition Event Set A collection of events designed to measure all aspects of normal flight operations for a particular aircraft type at a particular air carrier.
Individual events within the event set would be customized to the approved limitations for the aircraft type and in accordance with the air carrier’s operational procedures. The event set for a particular fleet may be limited by the available parameters on the aircraft.
FAR Federal Aviation Regulations. Federal rules that govern airworthiness and the conduct of flight operations by certificate holders, among other safety matters.
FDAU Flight data acquisition unit. See DFDAU.
FDR Flight data recorder. A required device that records pertinent parameters and technical information about a flight. At a minimum, it records those parameters required by the governing regulatory agency, but may record a much higher number of parameters. An FDR is designed to withstand the forces of a crash so that information recorded by it may be used to reconstruct the circumstances leading up to the accident. See DFDR.
FMT FMT. A group comprised of representatives from the pilot association, if applicable, and the air carrier. This group, sometimes referred to as the Exceedance Guidance Team (EGT) or Event Monitoring Team (EMT), is responsible for reviewing and analyzing flight and event data, and determining and monitoring corrective actions.
FOQA Flight Operational Quality Assurance. A voluntary program for the routine collection and analysis of flight operational data to provide more information about, and greater insight into, the total flight operations environment. A FOQA program combines these data with other sources and operational experience to develop objective information to enhance safety, training effectiveness, operational procedures, maintenance and engineering procedures, and air traffic control procedures.
Gatekeeper The FOQA team member who is primarily responsible for the security of identified data. The gatekeeper is the only individual who can link FOQA data to an individual flight or crewmember. The gatekeeper is normally a member of the pilot association.
GDL Ground Data Link. See WDL.
GDRAS Ground Data Replay and Analysis System. A software application designed to: transform airborne recorded data into a usable form for analysis; process and scan selected flight data parameters; compare recorded or calculated values to predetermined norms using event algorithms; and generate exceedance reports for review or trending when exceedances are found.
Appendix A
GLOSSARY Term Definition I&O Plan Implementation and Operations Plan. A detailed specification of key aspects of a FOQA program to be implemented by an air carrier, including a description of the operator’s plan for collecting and analyzing the data, procedures for taking corrective action that analysis of the data indicates is necessary in the interest of safety, procedures for providing the FAA with de-identified aggregate FOQA information, and procedures for informing the FAA as to any corrective actions being undertaken.
LAN Local Area Network. A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area, typically linked together by cable.
LFL Logical Frame Layout. A data map that describes the format in which parameter data are transcribed to a recording device. This document details where each bit of data is stored.
LRU Line Replaceable Unit. A unit that can be replaced by line maintenance personnel without removing the aircraft from service for an extended period.
Mapping See LFL.
MEL Minimum Equipment List. A list of required equipment that, under certain conditions, might be inoperative.
MTBF Mean Time Between Failure. The life expectancy of a component or part, expressed in flight hours.
OQAR Optical Quick Access Recorder. See QAR. A QAR that stores data on an optical disk.
PAI Principal Avionics Inspector. The FAA employee responsible for oversight and inspection of avionics at a specific air carrier.
Parameters Measurable variables that supply information about the status of an aircraft system or subsystem, position, or operating environment.
Parameters are collected by a data acquisition unit installed on the aircraft and then sent to analysis and reporting systems.
PCMCIA card Personal Computer Memory Card International Association card. A credit card-sized data storage and transfer device that was originally developed for portable computers and may be used on some QARs.
The Personal Computer Memory Card International Association was organized in 1989 to promote standards for these memory or input/output (I/O) devices.
PMI Principal Maintenance Inspector. The FAA employee responsible for oversight and inspection of aircraft maintenance functions at a specific air carrier.
POI Principal Operations Inspector. The FAA employee responsible for operational oversight of a specific air carrier.
Appendix A
GLOSSARY Term Definition QAR Quick Access Recorder. A recording unit onboard the aircraft that stores flight-recorded data. These units are designed to provide quick and easy access to a removable medium, such as an optical disk or PCMCIA card, on which flight information is recorded. QARs may also store data in solid-state memory that is accessed through a download reader. QARs have now been developed to record an expanded data frame, sometimes supporting 2,000 plus parameters at much higher sample rates than the FDR. The expanded data frame greatly increases the resolution and accuracy of the ground analysis programs.
SRU Shop Replaceable Unit. A unit that must normally be replaced in a maintenance facility during heavy maintenance checks.
SSFDR Solid State DFDR. A DFDR that utilizes solid-state memory for recording flight data. See DFDR.
STC Supplemental Type Certificate. An addendum to the Type Certificate.
An STC is required for any new equipment installed on a model of aircraft after that model of airplane has been issued a Type Certificate.
See TC.
TC Type Certificate. The initial certificate issued for every new model of aircraft. The TC lists components and equipment installed on that model of aircraft.
WAN Wide Area Network. A communications network in which computers are connected to each other over a long distance, using telephone lines, cable connections, or satellite links.
WDL Wireless Data Link. A system allowing the high-speed transfer of onboard aircraft data to ground facilities using various wireless technologies. It may also allow for upload of data to the aircraft.
Sometimes referred to as Ground Data Link (GDL).
Appendix A APPENDIX IV. REFERENCES
CFR Part 193, Protection of Voluntarily Submitted Information CFR Part 13, Section 13.401, Flight Operational Quality Assurance Program AC 00-46, as amended, Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) AC 00-58, as amended, Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program AC 120-59, as amended, Air Carrier Internal Evaluation Programs: Air Carrier Internal Evaluation-Model Program Guide AC 120-66, as amended, Aviation Safety Action Program Flight Safety Foundation, FAA Contract Report, Air Carrier Voluntary Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) Program, 1992 General Accounting Office, GAO/RCED-98-10, Aviation Safety—Efforts to Implement Flight Operational Quality Assurance Programs, December 1997 Page 34
Appendix B
APPENDIX B. FOQA I&O PLAN CHECKLIST The following checklist should be used by certificate holders to prepare their I&O Plans and verify that all required materials are included. The FAA will review this checklist to determine that the items required in a FOQA program have been specified in the I&O Plan. This checklist identifies the minimum requirements of an I&O Plan. An air carrier’s I&O Plan may contain additional information in excess of these minimum requirements. When the I&O Plan is submitted for FAA approval, a completed copy of this checklist should accompany it.
The “Response” column must be completed for each question. Appropriate responses are “Yes,” “No,” or “NA” (not applicable). All “No” and “NA” responses should include, in the “Comment” column, a brief explanation of each such response.
The “Reference” column is to be completed for each question to which the air carrier provides a “Yes” response. The information provided in the “Reference” column must identify the specific location of the subject item in the I&O Plan (e.g., Section 2.1).
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