1. Air Traffic Quality Assurance Program
The Federal Aviation Administration
Presented By:
Gary D. Romero

2. Air Traffic Quality Assurance Program
Why Have a Quality Assurance (QA) Program?
Purpose of a QA Program
Structure of a QA Program
Elements of a QA Program

3. Definition of Operational Error (OE)
An occurrence in which less than the applicable separation results between two aircraft.
Or between an aircraft and terrain or obstacles

4. Definition of Operational Deviation (OD)
An occurrence in which less than applicable separation exists between aircraft or vehicles and another controller’s area of jurisdiction.

5. Definition of Accident
An occurrence in which any person suffers death or serious injury or an aircraft receives substantial damage.

6. Why Have a QA Program? Maintain Integrity of Safety in the ATC System
Provide Oversight to ATC Facilities
Identify Problems in the Areas of:
Controller Performance
Training
Procedures
Management or Supervision

7. Purpose
Help ensure safety, efficiency, and excellence in the service and products we provide.

8. Structure of QA Program

9. Elements of QA Program Preventative Measures Evaluations
OE/D Determination
Data Collection
Reporting of OE/D, Accidents
Investigative Teams
Follow-up

10. Preventative Measures
Recorded Reviews
On-the-spot corrections
Performance Observation
Trend Analysis
Quality Assurance Review (QAR)

11. Evaluations Internal Evaluations Conducted by facility QA personnel
External Evaluations
Conducted by Air Traffic Evaluations Headquarters Branch

12. OE/D Determination Computer Identified Controller Identified
Supervisor Identified
Pilot Identified

13. Data Collection Voice Tapes Radar Data Controller Statements
Supervisor Statements
Contributing Factors
Equipment
Other

14. Reporting OE/D and Accidents
Facilities Report to Higher Authority
Provide a network of information
Identify trends
Share successful tactics among facilities
Hold accountable facility personnel

15. Investigative Teams
Teams formed at the facility level to research cause of OE/D.
Teams fielded by Headquarters to conduct in-depth investigation into OE/D trends.
Investigate ATC involvement in accidents and incidents
Do NOT determine mechanical failures of aircraft
Facility QA personnel assist with documentation

16. Follow-Up Controller Re-Training Supervisor Re-Training
Changes to Procedures
Changes to Airspace
Changes to Equipment