Does Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) have a role in Risk Assessment?

FDM is a powerful safety tool that studies operational trends. When a concerning trend is noticed a Risk Assessment is done, addressing the trend before an incident occurs.

For example, at one airfield, the FDM system recorded data that indicated helicopters were making turns below a safe altitude on take-off. Studying the data indicated the low level turns were occurring on a runway when taking off in a specific direction.

“Turning a heavy aircraft at low level and low speed increases the risk of an incident or accident in the event of a mechanical failure,” explained Cornelis Haupt, CHC Helicopter Services’ Flight Data Monitoring Advisor.

After communicating the concern with the relevant base, it was determined where an improvement could be made.

At the base, Air Traffic Control (ATC) was instructing helicopters using the specific runway to turn early before crossing another active runway. This ensured continued operations by both fixed wing and helicopter carriers but forced helicopters to make turns below safety altitude during take-off.

“The increased risk to our operations was considered unacceptable,” said Haupt. “We had to discuss a new procedure with ATC to ensure our aircraft would not be put at risk to ensure commercial expediency.”

The solution was to direct helicopters to use the same take-off direction as the fixed wing traffic and stagger the traffic to ensure the helicopters were not turning at low levels.

“ATC and all crews were informed of the new procedure and the need to avoid manoeuvres that are of higher risk and not acceptable according to CHC SOP’s and SMS,” said Haupt. “Since then, we have noticed a drastic drop in helicopters making turns below safety altitude on take-off. These are the kind of safety improvements that regular Flight Data Monitoring can provide.”

For more SMS Success Stories, visit ww.chc.ca.