Safer Skies Ahead: FAA Renews Flight Data Quality Assurance Program
Published Date: 4/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The FAA wants to keep collecting flight data through the voluntary Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) Program to help airlines spot and fix safety issues before they become problems. This renewal won’t cost anyone extra but asks for public feedback by May 22, 2026. If you’re involved in flight operations, your input can help make flying even safer!
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Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Voluntary FOQA Data Renewal Improves Safety
The FAA is renewing the Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) information collection for a voluntary safety program that uses flight‑recorded data to spot and fix safety problems. The program covers 69 air carriers (57 existing programs and 12 new programs) and the FAA will analyze de‑identified aggregate FOQA data to identify national trends and target resources; the FAA invited public comments by May 22, 2026.
Time Burden on Air Carriers to Provide FOQA Data
The collection affects 69 air carriers (57 existing, 12 new). For carriers requesting a new program the frequency is once and the estimated average burden per response is 100 hours; for carriers with an existing program the frequency is monthly and the estimated average burden is 30 hours annually. The notice lists estimated total annual burden figures including 400 hours for new respondents and 2,070 hours for existing respondents.
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