Unstable Approach Reports -- data

[shon7]

Where does the company retrieve the data for the unstable approach reports. Are these pulled of ACARs -- by comparing Flight Level against positions?

 

[~~~^~~~]

Never heard of such a thing.

Most airlines require unusual occurrence reports for a missed approach. There is no penalty for taking the correct action and fessing up if the aircraft is configured late or is not stabilized. The airline looks at trend data to see if there is a way to improve the flight profile, or procedures.

 

[skiddriver]

Some use FDM/FOQA

http://www.flightdataservices.com/faqs.php

It's a data recorder that can be used to monitor aircraft performance data and download it post-flight for analysis. I believe both SWA and Continental have programs. Not sure who else uses it in the US. The pilot groups work with management to prevent misuse.

I saw a demo where the airline FOQA manager showed several instances of unstable approaches at a specific airport that they used to adjust their approach procedures with good results.

It's a different system than the black box recorders, but it provides much of the same monitoring capabilities.

Google FOQA for a plethora of information.

 

[Ex737Driver]

At CAL we do have and use FOQA. The company pulls the data from the DFDR of each aircraft on a monthly basis and sends it directly to the union for de-identification and analysis. The union will help the company to spot trends and if a particular flight or pilot is seen way out of normal parameters, the pilot(s) are normally called by the union and asked to provide further info. The company does not get any of this info for punitive or disciplinary purposes.

In addition to this program, we also have the same data displayable through the ACARS system after each leg that shows multiple parameters such as stability at 1000, 500, and 100, when the gear was lowered and at what speed, flap extension speeds, etc. This will also give a pitch report for the pilot to view that shows the proximity of the tail to the ground on takeoff and landing.

 

[j41driver]

We have a FOQA program at AirTran also.

 

[Andy]

Where does the company retrieve the data for the unstable approach reports.

They check my schedule and find out which legs were mine.

 

[Occam's Razor]

At NWA, the DFDR aircraft are used. An ALPA rep (full-time position rotated between 3 pilots) screens the raw data first to de-identify the pilots involved. The filtered data is then interrogated and amtched to airports/runways.

There is a provision to have the ALPA rep do follow-up with Serial Plumbers (I'm sure I'm on that list!) for some ProStan intervention, but the Exactlies haven't been worked-out yet.

For now the program seems to be working as intended. Our annual checkride process now features a module on the "problem" areas. It's a better use of time than steep turns...