Three-Day Meeting On Professionalism At All Levels, Disciplines

The NTSB will hold a safety forum on professionalism in aviation beginning Tuesday, May 18, 2010.  The three-day, forum will be chaired by NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. 

"NTSB's investigations into the midair collision over the Hudson River last August, the crash of Colgan Air flight 3407 in February 2009, and the October 2009 Northwest pilots' overflight of their intended airport provided the impetus for this forum because all of them clearly demonstrated the hazards to aviation safety when pilots and air traffic controllers depart from standard operating procedures and established best practices," Hersman said.  "During the forum, we will gather information on the screening, selection and training of pilots and controllers and methods to reinforce professionalism and excellence."

The forum is not limited to looking at just pilots. Panelists participating in the forum will represent industry, government agencies, labor, academia, and professional associations.  A technical panel composed of NTSB staff from the Offices of Aviation Safety and Research and Engineering, and the NTSB Board Members, who will make up the Board of Inquiry, will question the panelists.
  
Dr. Tony Kern, an internationally recognized human factors and pilot performance expert, is the forum's keynote speaker.  The names of the participating panelists and the agenda will be provided in early May.
     
The forum, titled "Professionalism in Aviation: Ensuring Excellence in Pilot and Air Traffic Controller Performance," will be held at the NTSB's headquarters in Washington, DC.  The public can view the forum in person or by webcast on the NTSB web site.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov