Aviation Safety Expert Witness

I was employed with Continental for twenty-three years. During this time I flew as a captain on the DC-10, B767, B757, B737 and B727. From 1996 to 2002 I flew the Asian routes based in Guam, and in March 2002 I transferred back to the Newark base flying Domestic, South American and European routes. I have over 24,800 hours of flight time and hold the following ratings: Airline Transport Pilot Single Engine Land & Sea, Airplane Multi-Engine Land, with type ratings in the DC-10, L-1011, B767, B757, B727, B737, CL-65, L-1329, G-159 & DC-3; Flight Engineer Turbo-Jet; Flight Instructor Airplane Single and Multi-Engine-Instrument; and Control Tower Operator. I was an instructor and examiner on the B-727 aircraft. I was also in charge of the accident investigation department and was responsible for writing the accident investigation and prevention manual.

On October 27, 2006 I flew my retirement flight for Continental Airlines based on the federal law that prevented airline pilots from flying past the age of sixty. On October 29, 2006 I returned to work for the FAA as an Aviation Safety Inspector.

From 1971 thru 1984 I was an employee of the Federal Aviation Administration. For three years I was an Air Traffic Controller in Atlanta Georgia. In 1974 I was transferred to Washington D.C., as a pilot assigned to flying the Presidential Cabinet and Members of Congress, Senate, NTSB and the Executive Directors of the FAA. While not flying the cabinet I provided flight instruction and proficiency checks to FAA Aviation Inspectors that were responsible for giving check rides and airman certificates to the general aviation pilots. In 1978 I was transferred to Miami, Florida as an Air Carrier Inspector. I was responsible for giving flight checks and initial rating rides to airman. During this time I would have given over 3000 airman check rides. I was also responsible for investigating aircraft accidents during this period of time.

From 1989-1992 I was owner and President, Director of Operations and Chief Pilot of American Aviation. The company was a FAA Part 135 operation conducting On-Demand Charter, Air Ambulance, and Government Contract Flights (DOI). The requirement for Director of Operations under the Federal Aviation Regulations requires 3 years supervisory experience. As Director of Operation and Chief Pilot, I was responsible for managing eight pilots and four aircraft.

I have a Master of Aeronautical Science degree. I am a Professor Adjunct at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, qualified to teach the following subjects: AS 409 Aviation Safety, AS 408 Flight Safety, SF330 Aircraft Accident Investigation, BA425 Trends and Current Problems in Air Transportation, ASCI 202 Fundamentals of Aerospace Science.

I have completed the following courses at University of Southern California that enhance my knowledge as an expert pilot and accident reconstructionist: Aircraft Accident Investigation; Aviation Safety Program Management; Human Factors in Aviation Safety; Aircraft Accident Photography. In addition, I have completed the basic and advanced Aircraft Accident Investigation Course at the National Transportation Institute in Oklahoma City, while employed as an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector.

ACHIEVEMENTS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS/RECOGNITION

On March 1, 2016 I was awarded the highest honor given to an airman by the FAA, The Wright Brothers “Master Pilot Award”, in recognition of my contributions to aviation safety for the past 50 years.

I have been the recipient of 17 Letters of Commendation from the White House, US Senate and Congress in recognition of service as Pilot-In-Command of Washington-based aircraft flying dignitaries ranging from President’s Cabinet and Senate/Congress Representatives to Secretary of Transportation, FAA Administrator and NTSB.

DEPOSITIONS AND TRIAL TESTIMONY

My first trial testimony was in 1974 in Federal District Court in Maryland. I have been a consultant and expert witness on aviation issues, specifically the piloting of airline, commercial, and general aviation aircraft. I have consulted for law firms, insurance companies, and government agencies such as the FAA and the U.S. Department of Justice. I have testified in more than 50 cases in federal district courts. My work includes conducting field investigation at the crash site or wreckage location, reviewing radar plots, weather information, Air Traffic Control and Cockpit Voice Recorders tapes. I have testified about piloting issues, including the standard of care applicable to pilots and the causes of accidents. I have been a member of Accident Investigation Team for three major accidents including National Airlines-Pensacola, FL, Pan American-Kenner, LA and Air Florida-Washington DC.