Many aviation occurrence reporting systems capture the phase of operation or the phase of flight in which the event, that is to be reported, occurred. The list of phases provided here aims at providing guidance for this classification. In addition, the use of a standard set of definitions will facilitate the exchange and analysis of the data.
The aim of the list is to provide unambiguous definitions. The pre-flight phase of one flight is the post flight phase of the preceding flight.
Gliders and balloons are not normally used in commercial operations and were thus not included. Development of related definitions may be undertaken once such a need has been identified.
Most reporting systems have been collecting data for many years and include a vast number of reports. It is not cost efficient to re-classify such records. As mentioned in the introduction to the list, Organizations are encouraged to make use of the definitions when they modify their systems.
