The Mid-Level FDM Specialist plays a critical role in supporting and enhancing the organization’s flight safety initiatives through systematic monitoring and analysis of flight data. This position is responsible for managing regular FDM cycles, analyzing flight trends, collaborating with stakeholders to resolve safety issues, and contributing to continuous improvement in operational safety and efficiency.
Flight Data Management:
Collect, validate, and process flight data from aircraft systems such as FDRs and QARs using approved FDM tools and protocols.
Event Monitoring & Analysis:
Identify and investigate exceedances and anomalies, analyze their root causes, and recommend corrective actions or procedural improvements.
Trend Identification:
Conduct in-depth trend analysis over time to uncover emerging safety risks or patterns in pilot behavior, aircraft handling, or systems performance.
Reporting:
Generate regular FDM reports, dashboards, and safety summaries for internal use and compliance reporting. Present findings to the Flight Safety Committee or Fleet Managers.
Trigger Management:
Maintain and tune FDM event detection parameters, thresholds, and rulesets in collaboration with senior FDM personnel.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Liaise with operations, maintenance, training, and engineering teams to share insights and support proactive risk mitigation strategies.
Confidentiality & Data Security:
Ensure all flight data is handled confidentially in accordance with ICAO Annex 13, FOQA/FDM best practices, and internal SMS (Safety Management System) protocols.
Training & Mentorship:
Provide technical guidance to junior FDM staff or interns and assist in documentation and process training.
Operational Risk Detection:
Monitor unstable approaches, high rate-of-descent landings, exceedance of operational limits, and other potential flight safety issues.
Data Interpretation & Communication:
Translate raw data into actionable insights and communicate findings effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Tool Proficiency:
Utilize FDM software platforms (e.g., GE FlightPulse, SAGEM, Flight Data Connect, or custom tools) to execute queries, detect events, and create visuals.
Flight Efficiency Monitoring:
Support initiatives such as fuel optimization, idle descent usage, and procedural adherence to improve operational efficiency.
Regulatory & SMS Integration:
Align FDM activities with ICAO, EASA, FAA, and national authority regulations and integrate findings into the organization’s SMS framework.
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aviation Management, Data Science, or a related field
3–6 years of experience in FDM, FOQA, or flight operations analysis
Proficiency with FDM software platforms and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Python, MATLAB)
Solid understanding of aircraft operations, flight phases, and aviation safety principles
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Familiarity with SMS frameworks and regulatory standards (ICAO Annex 13, FAA AC 120-82, etc.)
Experience working in an airline or fleet operator environment is preferred