Optimizing the Event Set for Collegiate Aviation FOQA Programs

Flight Operations Quality Assurance or FOQA is a proven tool in the effort to enhance aviation safety. Employed by air carriers as early as the 1960’s, FOQA allows aviation operations and safety managers to objectively monitor how their aircraft are being operated. This data can then be translated into informed decisions to improve the safety and efficiency of the overall operation. While FOQA has proven itself in the world of airlines and other commercial aviation ventures, these flight data monitoring programs have largely been absent in the area where the vast majority of flight operations occur, general aviation. Advancements in technology allow those in general aviation management positions the ability to apply the same techniques in general aviation. This study attempts to further the body of knowledge of Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) programs by examining the unique requirements of a FOQA program adapted to the university flight-training environment. The methodology employed are qualitative in nature employing a Delphi study to gather data from a group of subject matter experts on both FOQA and general aviation flight instruction. Qualitative observations gathered by the researcher from the direct observation of flight instruction will be used to supplement the data gathered from the Delphi Study. Through the analysis of these two data sets, this study determines what events and parameters should be monitored in a collegiate FOQA program.