FAA OKs Eclipse FOQA Program

Eclipse Aviation, Albuquerque, N.M., said it received FAA approval of its Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) program. Eclipse Aviation said it is the only aircraft manufacturer that received FAA approval for a FOQA program that includes flight data monitoring capability consistent with the advanced programs used by commercial airline operations. FOQA uses software to capture and analyze recorded flight data, which is used to proactively identify, assess and correct high-risk operating conditions before they cause an accident. FOQA initiatives have been used to identify and improve everything from deficiencies in pilot training programs, manuals and processes, to aircraft design issues and hazardous air traffic control procedures. "FOQA is a perfect addition to our progressive safety management system (SMS), which gives us the tools to proactively ensure the highest level of safety across all Eclipse 500 operations," said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation.