Take off rotation behaviour
ASTI assisted an airline with the analysis of the take-off rotation of the Boeing 737 Classic and the Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG), which were mixed operated in its fleet. To avoid tail strikes during rotation the B737NG should not be rotated too fast. This was less of a problem on the shorter B737 Classic. As both aircraft versions have a common type rating the airline was worried that pilots would rotate the B737NG too fast during take-off. The airline wanted to monitor the rotation behaviour of the B737NG using recorded take-off data. The safety institute analysed the rotation data and conducted detailed statistical analysis that went beyond the standard tools offered in standard flight data monitoring software tools.

Landing analyses
The landing performance of aircraft is influenced by many factors. To better understand how these factor affect landing performance a study was commissioned by the Dutch Transport and Water Management Inspectorate and the Federal Aviation Authorities FAA to the safety institute to analyse day-to-day landing operations. For this purpose operational landing data were collected. Data processing algorithms were developed to derive variables like flare height, threshold crossing height, touchdown point, thrust reverser usage etc. The flight data were combined with actual weather data at time of landing and the runway characteristics. The results clearly showed which variables affected landing performance and also quantified these relations.

RNLAF Flight Data Monitoring Support
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) commissioned the safety institute to perform flight data monitoring projects to analyse operational flight data of F-16 flights for flight safety monitoring and improvement of operations. The objective of flight data monitoring is to identify pro-actively operational risks and to confirm the effectiveness of remedial actions. By analysing routinely gathered flight data it may be possible to identify potential dangerous conditions, unsafe manoeuvres or sensitive configurations. The use of operational flight data in support of flight safety was demonstrated by studies on the pitch departure margin, approach and low-level flying during F-16 training flights.