Flight Data Monitoring Growing in Corporate Flight Operations

Flight Data Monitoring Growing in Corporate Flight Ops

Corporate users and vendors of flight data monitoring see an upside in implementing FDM, but say data protections are key to implementation.

Embraer Phenom 300 operator Jack Henry & Associates is a long-time participant in a flight data monitoring program.

By Stuart “Kipp” Lau • Contributor - Safety

November 1, 2022

Flight data monitoring (FDM) is an integral part of any modern aviation safety system. For the airlines, long track records of effectively using FDM information have provided clear evidence that flight data, when used appropriately, can greatly improve flight safety. Today, every major airline employs an integrated safety management system (SMS) powered by tools, such as FDM. It is no accident that scheduled airlines in the U.S. have evolved into the world’s safest mode of transportation.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken notice and is following this playbook, with the goal to reduce fatal accidents in other passenger-carrying commercial aircraft—such as charter operations. The agency’s only two aviation-related recommendations on its 2021/2022 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements is to (1) require and verify the effectiveness of an SMS and (2) install crash-resistant flight recorders and establish FDM programs.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.