Garmin announces new FRAT and reporting capabilities for FltPlan SMS

OLATHE, Kan./March 6, 2024 – Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced enhancements for its FltPlan safety management system (SMS) with updates to the Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) and a completely new safety performance dashboard. The redesigned FRAT requires less input from pilots and now includes the ability for operators to customize FRATs for different pilots and aircraft. The new reporting dashboard allows operators to more easily monitor safety performance indicators (SPI) and other safety trends with the ability to tailor the data to the specific needs of their company.

FRAT enhancements

Flight risk assessment submissions have been simplified to allow pilots to quickly complete a FRAT before a flight. The FRAT can automatically ingest data regarding a flight, including weather, terrain and runway conditions, and combine it with pilot fitness questions. The flight risk score is presented after submission, and if applicable, risk mitigation strategies are presented to the pilot. Flights are automatically re-scored one hour before departure and pilots are alerted if there is a change in factors that could negatively affect the flight’s risk such as wind or weather. Individual operators can define how often FRATs are re-scored.

For pilots not filing flight plans with FltPlan.com, the new quick flight option allows users to enter basic flight details and submit a flight risk assessment. The FRAT is mobile optimized for convenient submission via smartphones or tablets.

Additionally, the FRAT includes an enhanced rules engine for better customization. Flight departments can now create custom rules to apply specific flight risk questions based on pilot profiles, aircraft profiles, weather conditions, airport conditions and more. Profiles and rules can be tied together to create higher level rules. For example, a low-time pilot flying a specific airplane type can have pre-assigned risks populated into the FRAT.

Safety performance dashboard

To help flight departments identify areas where they may need to improve safety, FltPlan SMS now features a safety performance dashboard that allows operators to view reports to assess the effectiveness of their safety program. The dashboard includes pre-configured reports designed by SMS experts, but also allows flight departments to modify or create custom reports to best fit their needs. The predesigned reports will enable flight departments to easily view safety performance without building reports of their own.

Reporting can be grouped by risk level, report type, category, etc., and reporting dashboards specific to different departments of an operation can be created and customized. For example, one reporting dashboard can be set for flight department management while a second dashboard can be designed for company leadership. All reports can be exported to Microsoft Excel or printed for additional analysis.

ASAP reporting enhancements

For participating flight departments, employees can file an Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) report directly from FltPlan SMS. Operators have the option to self-manage with an internal Event Review Committee (ERC) team, or departments can have the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) act as a 3rd party reviewer.

The FltPlan SMS updates are available now. To learn more, visit Garmin.com/FltPlanSMS

Garmin products and services have revolutionized flight and become essential to the lives of pilots and aircraft owners and operators around the world. A leading provider of solutions to general aviation, business aviation, rotorcraft, advanced air mobility, government and defense, and commercial air carrier customers, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate. Recipient of the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy for Garmin Autoland, Garmin developed the world’s first certified autonomous system that activates during an emergency to control and land an aircraft without human intervention. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garminaviation on social, or follow our blog.

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