Signol is an app and messaging system built for pilots, with pilots. Check out our Advisory Board of experienced captains. At Signol, we offer pilots a “Fitbit for work” - an opportunity to dive into your own flight performance data, explore your positive social and environmental impact, and provide feedback about your operational decisions. 

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Signol is fully aligned with the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Association (IFALPA) requirements for self-assessment software tools and is based on behavioral science best practices. For instance, we too share concerns about (and have designed the app to completely avoid) “[c]omparisons between pilots and/or the establishment of a 'ranking system' that would evaluate pilots based on fuel use” given that such practices can be demotivating and could backfire. As a result, Signol is a personalized experience for each pilot rather than a competition or ranking system among a group of pilots.

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Here, we address each of IFALPA’s requirements in turn:

1. “The airline should have a fully established Flight Data Analysis Programme (FDAP).” 

The principles for flight data management, specifically creating a non-punitive culture, are integral to how Signol works as a product and as a company. When engaging airlines, we insist that an FDAP is in place and working before we begin collaborating.

2. “Such software/tools should not be advertised by the airline as a “safety enhancement”. Safety is based on standardization and average data, not on individual data sent to individual pilots.”

We are transparent with our airline customers that Signol is not a safety enhancement tool. In all of our communications and every page of our app, we remind pilots that they have complete discretion and authority over their decisions, as they always have done, and that safety remains the number one priority. Signol is very much a retrospective tool that closes the loop on how operational decisions affect efficiency - pilots remain in charge and follow airline protocols and procedures at all times.

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3. “Data used in the program should be included in the provisions of the FDAP Agreement between the airline and the Pilot Association. The self-assessment tool should permit each individual pilot to delete all self-assessment data presented to that pilot to assess their own performance, once review by that pilot is completed. After a reasonable period for review by the pilot expires, the data that was captured for self-assessment purposes only should be automatically deleted from the FDAP system unless it would have normally been retained within the FDAP for purposes other than pilot self-assessment.”

Signol’s agreements with airlines strictly follow local union and company data protocols. Our communication of data enables pilots to use their own best judgement to make the safest and most practical decision the next time they face an opportunity to go an extra mile and help the environment and their airline. The data collected by Signol includes feedback from pilots as well as the captured flight data. Signol stores data for a period of 1 year to allow pilots to review trends in their performance. The data are deleted after a 1 year period.

4. “Data related to a specific flight should only be accessed and dispatched if:

- prior consent of the pilots concerned has been obtained; or

- a specific request of the pilot(s) concerned has been received”

Signol only presents pilots with their own data. Managers only have access to pooled, fully anonymized data through the Signol dashboard - even pilot feedback is anonymized to ensure that individual pilots cannot be identified via Signol.

5. “Data should never be used to assess pilot competency or training requirements.”

Signol does not provide assessments of pilot competency nor instructions for training to either pilots or management.

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6. “Data should never be used for disciplinary measures.”

Signol does not present any individual pilot’s data to management. Moreover, the Signol system relies upon positive reinforcement - recognizing pilots’ hard work and efforts, rather than admonishing any pilot’s actions or decisions.

7. “There should be a strict procedure for data collection, validation, ownership, and storage.”

Signol adheres to GDPR principles globally and will continue to do so regardless of the UK’s position in the EU.

8. “Other than the pilots concerned, access to the data should be restricted to the parties authorized under the provisions of the FDAP.”

Access to Signol is tightly controlled behind multiple levels of security and held remotely from the airline. Although it is ultimately the airline’s decision on who can view the manager level information (i.e. anonymized, pooled data), we strongly encourage airlines to limit this group.

9. “Pilots should have received suitable training and/or education material on the use and limitations of the system.”

Signol has an easy, transparent onboarding experience for pilots. The onboarding process has been tested for clarity and comprehension and pilots can revisit this material within the app at any time. 

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In conclusion, we fully stand with IFALPA’s position on pilot self-assessment software tools and welcome further input from pilots’ associations and Unions. Get in touch with Signol here - we would love to hear your thoughts!

About the authors

The article is co-written by Jay Ramsay and Dr Divya Sukumar.