Aviation Expert Witnesses

This highly-qualified expert has over 35 years of experience in aviation, as well as a practicing attorney. In addition to being a licensed attorney, he has a private pilot's license and a commercial pilot's license. He earned his BAS in biomedical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and his JD from Pennsylvania State University. He has worked for several law firms throughout his career and, during his time with the DOJ as both an assistant United States attorney and a special assistant United States attorney, this expert worked on numerous aviation-related prosecutions involving airlines and the FAA. He has about 5,000 hours of experience in all types of weather and is familiar with the practices, procedures, operations, issues, and challenges facing pilots. For the last 27 years, he has owned, maintained, and operated systems-based cabin-class piston and turbo-prop aircraft, including a 1977 Piper Turbo Arrow III (PA-28-201RT), a 1969 Beechcraft (Raytheon) Duke (BE60), and, most recently, a 1979 Piper Cheyenne I (PAY1). Currently, this expert is the managing partner of the Philadelphia office for a law firm in Pennsylvania.

This aviation and aerospace expert is one of the leaders in his industry and has extensive experience in flight test, materials and properties laboratories, unmanned aerial systems, engineering operations, Safety Management Systems and quality. This expert started his career as a United State Army pilot and then advanced to several senior positions with the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA). As Manager Rotorcraft Directorate with the FAA, he was responsible for all FAA Experimental Test Flight policy, training, and administration for over 250 companies. He collaborated with industry to lower the number of fatal accidents from 30 to 14 per year over a five-year average. This expert received the Tony LaVier Award from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots for Lifetime Achievement in Flight Safety. He is a member of numerous prestigious organizations in the aviation field. He has authored 9 publications in the field and is a frequently invited guest speaker at major aviation events. This expert was the 2014 commencement speaker at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he also earned his BS in Aeronautical Technology. He received his MS in Aerospace Management at the University of Tennessee Space Institute. Currently, he is the President of an independent aviation consulting firm and President of an international safety and risk management company serving the aviation industry.

This highly qualified aeronautics expert earned his masters and PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT. He is a fellow in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and an associate fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He has authored more than 100 publications in the aeronautics space and is currently a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at a top midwest university.

This highly qualified expert currently serves as as a Senior Flight Surgeon for the United States Air Force Reserve Medical Corps as well as Adjunct Professor for an aviation university where he teaches Aviation Physiology. He also provides medical examination services to pilots and aviation companies. He is board-certified in Family Medicine and is a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association's Aeromedical Advisory Council. He is an active pilot and was deployed for Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Joint Forge.

This expert has been involved in aviation for more than 40 years. She spent time as a flight attendant for both American Airlines and Capitol Air, and has been involved in business aviation flying both full time & contract/freelance. She flew full time as a business aviation flight attendant for Coca Cola, DuPont, and others. This expert also runs her own training company, an extensive program designed to train corporate flight attendants in industry protocol and standard operational procedures. She is committed to cabin safety whether Parts 91/135/121.

This expert's career in the aviation industry spans 37 years and has included work in turbine power plant, aircraft overhaul and component repair and overhaul. He has performed risk assessment for the insurance industry and both corporate and business aircraft owners have utilized his talents. He has received many awards from the Federal Aviation Administration while maintaining a staff position with the Transportation Safety Institute. He is a graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Professional Aeronautics. Additionally he is a current member in good standing with the NAAA and holds the title of Senior Certified Aircraft Appraiser (NSCA) endorsed by the USPAP. He is certified by the National Aircraft Appraisers Association for aircraft appraisals. Currently, this expert is the President of one of the world's top aviation appraisal consulting firms.

This highly qualified expert has served as a senior operations executive for regional and international airports. He is an Accredited Airport Executive by the American Association of Airport Executives, as well as a Certified Airport Security Coordinator, a Certified Private Pilot, and certified by the FAA in Airport Planning & Capacity. He earned his B.S. in Aeronautical Studies and Airport Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and his Master of Public Administration in Organizational Management from Golden Gate University, and then proceeded to hold positions with Sky Harbor International Airport, Tampa International Airport, and Gainesville Regional Airport. More recently, the expert was the Director of Operations for Birmingham International Airport, the Deputy Airport Director for Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and the Vice President of Operations at Doha and Hamad International Airports in Qatar. He is now an airport operations consultant specializing in operational concepts and new Terminal Readiness for airports/airlines and aviation planning/design firms.

This 40+ year veteran of the aviation industry has extensive experience as an airline pilot and additional background in safety inspection, flight instruction, airport management, and accident investigation. He earned his B.S. in Aviation Technology and Business Management from Metropolitan State College and holds several certificates from the FAA, including the Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, the Flight Instructor Certificate, the Flight Engineer Certificate, the Ground Instructor Certificate, and the Control Tower Operator Certificate. The expert spent 16 years as a Line Pilot, Federal Flight Deck Officer, and Pilot Instructor for United Airlines. He has also held operations roles with SurfAir, and FlightOne. He is now an aviation consultant.

This expert started his aviation career in 1990 while serving in the US Marine Corps as a jet engine mechanic on the CH-53 helicopter. Upon reporting to his duty station, he was selected to fill a security detachment, answered the call of duty and served in the Gulf war. He has since immersed himself into the world of Light Sport Aviation. He is one of very few Rotax engine experts on the continent, this coupled with his talents to problem solve and trouble shoot make him a sought after LSA guru.

This expert has spent more than three decades in the federal government, filling critical national security roles domestically and on behalf of the U.S. government overseas. He previously served as Assistant Administrator of TSA Security Operations, overseeing 450 airports and a $3.7 billion dollar budget. During his tenure, he successfully led a reorganization of the Office of Security Operations (OSO), improving communication with the field, streamlining HQ field management, realigning the Federal Security Director’s staffing and frontline management, and implementing new performance measures, resulting in cost reductions and increased efficiencies throughout the network. He also served in the Senior Executive Service at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), where he worked in key capacities at headquarters and in the field. In August of 2009, He returned to the U.S. after completing his service as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attaché at the U.S. Embassy in London, where he was the senior homeland security official representing the Secretary of DHS, the TSA Administrator, and the U.S. Chief of Mission for the Embassy in London. He is currently a Senior Advisor at a global security and intelligence consulting firm.

This expert has over 29 years of experience in airport management, operations, and development. He gained his MAS in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and his PhD in business administration with a specialization in aviation/aerospace management from Northcentral University. He is an accredited airport manager and has served as a Director of Aviation for the El Paso International Airport, Texas; Manager of the Operations Division, Washington National Airport, Washington, DC; Director of the Eastern Iowa Regional Airport, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Manager of Smith-Reynolds Airport, Winston-Salem, NC. He was also an Assistant Professor of Aviation at Florida Memorial University and the Deputy Director of Aviation for the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport. Currently he is an associate professor of aviation management at a university in Florida.

This expert is a pilot, aircraft mechanic, inspector, and flight instructor with over 30 years of aviation technology experience. He holds a number of pilot, mechanic, and appraisal certifications. In his current aircraft inspection firm, he frequently performs Aircraft maintenance and conformity inspections, USPAP compliant aircraft appraisals, maintenance verification and conformity test flights, and digital data mining for engines and airframes. He also does appraisals for aircrafts.

This qualified expert has over 20 years of experience in aviation and aircraft sales. He earned his BA from Davidson College. He is an accredited senior aircraft appraiser. He is active in his field as a member of several aviation organizations, including the National Business Aviation Association, the South Florida Business Aviation Association, and the American Society of Appraisers. His former positions include line service technician for Aero Toy Story, aircraft sales assistant and researcher for Corporate Fleet Services, and the director or aircraft sales for Universal Jet Aviation. For his work, he has been awarded the NBAA Silk Scarf for Excellence in Aviation and named as one of NBAA's Young Professionals Top 40 Under 40. Currently, this expert serves as the president and co-owner of an aviation company in Florida.

This expert has over 30 years of experience in aviation and air traffic control. He is active in his field as a member of several professional organizations including the Air Traffic Control Association and the Federal Aviation Managers Association. He previously served as an air traffic control specialist for the U.S. Navy and the Federal Aviation Administration. He was also an air traffic control plan and programs specialist and a supervisory air traffic control specialist for the Federal Aviation Administration. During his career, he developed facility orders and the audit program for the Air Traffic Organization. He also participated in the development of the selection process for controllers. Most recently, he served as an air traffic safety inspector for the Air Traffic Organization.

This highly-qualified expert has decades of experience in supply chain management and buying in the commercial aircraft industry. He earned his BS in communications and business from Arizona State University and earned certifications in purchasing principles of management and as a jet engine technician. Formerly, he served as a jet engine technician for the United States Air Force, as a buyer and jet engine technician at Garrett Airesearch, and as a subcontract manager and senior buyer at The Boeing Company as well as a procurement manager at Insitu, Inc, a subsidiary of The Boeing Company.

This expert has 40 years of experience in the field of air traffic control and aviation safety. He studied professional aeronautics and management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and completed training courses with the FAA and the US Navy. This expert is certified as a safety management system practitioner, a contracting officer's representative, and an air traffic control specialist, and holds a control tower operator license. He began his career in the industry as an air traffic controller for the US Navy. He then worked with the Federal Aviation Administration for over 30 years in a variety of roles such as air traffic controller, support specialist, front line manager, air traffic manager, quality assurance staff specialist, and assistant air traffic manager. Currently, this expert is the principal of an aviation consulting firm in California.

This highly-qualified expert has over 15 years of experience in aviation and flight training. She earned her AAS in aviation technology from San Juan College's Mesa Pilot Development Program. This expert is a certified airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, and flight instructor. She specializes in advanced training such as tailwheel, aerobatics, multi-engine, ATP, upset recovery, and stage checks and has experience with aircrafts of all sizes. She formerly served as the first officer for Part 121 Airline for Mesa Air Group, as well as the chief flight instructor and owner of Instrument Flight Solutions. Currently, this expert is the owner and chief flight instructor of a flight school in California.

This certified helicopter pilot has over 10 years of experience. After earning his BA in geology from the University of San Francisco he began his career as a pilot. He has flown commercially throughout the United States, Africa, and the Middle East. He has served in many pilot positions including a contract pilot position for HeliClass, a corporate helicopter pilot for E&J Gallo Winery, EMS Pilot for STAT MedEvac at John Hopkins Hospital, and as a pilot for offshore emergency response in Angola. He currently serves as a contract and instructor pilot for two energy companies.

This expert has over 50 years of aviation experience. He earned his BS in aeronautical studies/flight technology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and his MPA from Troy State University. He is a certified flight instructor, airline transport pilot, and remote pilot. He is a member of the National Air Transportation Association, the Airline Pilots Association, and the International Society of Air Safety Investigators. He previously served as a Captain with US Airways and as the Director of flight services, Chief Pilot, and Deputy Director of aviation at the Texas Department of Transportation. This expert is currently an aviation safety instructor at an aviation training firm and an aviation safety consultant at an aviation consultancy in Texas.

This expert has over 15 years of experience in aviation and air traffic control. He earned his BA in humanities and French from Simon Fraser University and is licensed in air traffic control and as a commercial pilot by Transport Canada. He previously served as a flight instructor at Edmonton Flying Club and as an air traffic controller, team supervisor, and shift manager at NAV CANADA. He is currently an air traffic controller at an air navigation services firm in British Columbia.