HFDM
WORKSHOP
INTRODUCTION
Helitech International 2013
By:
Captain Mike Pilgrim
FDM Manager CHC Helicopter Services
Co-Chair
Global HFDM Steering Group
www.HFDM.org
Date: 26th Sept 2013

Global HFDM Steering Group
• Vision:
– Routine and effective utilisation of
HFDM in a just culture environment
across the global helicopter industry.
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Global HFDM Steering Group
• Mission:
– Improve helicopter safety through
provision of focus and leadership on
issues concerning the manufacture,
provision, support and operation of
HFDM systems.
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

The Definition
of
Flight Data Monitoring.
Flight Data Monitoring (FDM)
is the systematic, pro-active and
just use of digital flight data from
routine operations
to improve aviation safety.
Flight Data Monitoring (FDM)
programmes assist an operator to
identify, quantify, assess and
address operational risks.
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Severity of event
Why HFDM?
REACTIVE
Accidents
Active Failures
and Latent
Threats
Serious incidents
Minor incidents
PROACTIVE?
Routine operations
FREQUENCY OF EVENT
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

This is Why
IIII
FDM
O
O
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Flight Data Monitoring
Data will only be worth anything if the aircraft
is actually doing something.
• What do we mean by
Flight?
So ‘flight’
is from power on to power off
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Flight Data Monitoring
Anything about the state of the aircraft that can
be recorded:
• and Data?
Airspeed
Rate of climb/descent
Flight control positions
Engines / rotors / temps &
pressures
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Flight Data Monitoring
Careful analysis of groups of data for indications of
anything undesirable.
• What about
monitoring?
So what does it look like?
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Flight Data – Take-Off
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Flight Data – Altitude
Altitude
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Flight Data – Pitch
Pitch Attitude
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

How do we get the data?
Solid State Quick Access Recorder
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Aircraft without FDRs
Stand alone units
Power
Earth
Geospatial
Digital (Optional)
Video (Optional)
Engine Data
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Now I have the knowledge
Start compiling your trend information
Its not about individual incidents
Aggregate the event types
Produce readable reports
Involve your staff
Don’t talk about individual events in
terms of the crews who flew them
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Case Study #1 Approach Deviation
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Case Study #1 Approach
Deviation
• Deviation From Flight Path – Picked up
by ATC
– Air Safety Report submitted
– FSO Interested but no Immediate
Action
• FDM Programme?
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

What the FDM had seen!
Elemental
SMS
Solutions
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Case Study #1 Approach Deviation
Deviation From Procedure – Picked
up by ATC
Air Safety Report submitted
FSO noted incident
FDM Data Checked – Multiple events
found
FDM Manager & FSO Meeting
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Case Study 2
Expedited Approaches
Crews report ATC requests to
expedite approaches
FDM High Rate of Descent Events
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Rate of Descent
700ft
-1000fpm
30 SECS
Pilot Radio Key Workshop –
HFDM
HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London
150ft

HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Case Study 2
Solution?
ATC – Expedite only when safety
dictates
Crews – Take responsibility and
respond accordingly.
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

Flight Data Monitoring
Demonstrable safety:
Don’t just think you’re safe,
KNOW YOU’RE SAFE
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London

HFDM Survey
• http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GMHR6B5
• Please go online and complete,
• Thanks.
HFDM Workshop – HeliTech 2013
Sept 26th 2013 – London