​MEDIA CONTACT                                   
Robert Deigh
RDC Public Relations, LLC
703-401-6339
robert@rdccommunication.com

WASHINGTON, DC, September 23, 2019 – John Goglia and Gregory Feith are two of aviation’s most well-known, well-informed and outspoken aviation safety insiders. They discuss -- in a new podcast series called “Flight Safety Detectives” -- a wide-range of aviation issues that are making the news daily, as well as provide listeners with the “backstories” that are important to the flying public and the aviation industry.  

Goglia and Feith talk about technical aspects of aviation and aerospace incidents and accidents, as well as bluntly discuss the “politics” and policies behind many issues that can mean life or death in the skies. In addition, they inform listeners about technologies and improvements in the industry that make aviation the safest form of transportation today.  The podcast are available at flightsafetydetectives.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

Goglia has more than 60 years in the aviation safety business. He is the only airframe and powerplant mechanic to get a presidential appointment as an NTSB Board member where he spent nearly a decade leading the most important aviation investigations and influencing policy. His experience in the industry has made him a highly sought-after consultant, expert, speaker and writer. He is frequent contributor to Forbes Magazine and author of Torqued, a monthly column appearing in AINOnline.  Goglia is also chairman of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA). 
 
Feith is a former NTSB Senior Air Safety Investigator and “Go-Team” captain. He has more than 40 years of aviation safety experience. Feith spent more than two decades with the NTSB serving as the Investigator-In-Charge or U.S. Accredited Representative for numerous high-profile aircraft accidents including Valujet in the Florida Everglades, American Eagle ATR-72 in Roselawn, Korean Air Boeing 747 in Guam, among many others. He has investigated more than 2,500 aircraft accidents worldwide. In addition, Feith led a team of mountain climbers to 21,000 feet on Mt. Illimani in Bolivia to investigate the crash of Eastern Airlines Flight 980, the highest “controlled-flight-into-terrain (CFIT)” crash in aviation history. Feith is also an aviation products inventor and has been inducted into the “Living Legends of Aviation.” 
 
A number of episodes are currently available which include discussions about a variety of aviation subjects such as the October 2018 crash of a Lion Air Flight 610, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet, and the second MAX 8 jet crash that crashed in March 2019 involving Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302. 

Goglia and Feith talk about how the industry, regulators and Congress are reacting not only to the controversial crashes that have grounded Boeing’s 737s, but also how the world regulators and the industry are reacting as well. Other podcast episodes address the regulatory and legal aspects of maintaining an aircraft, and “issues-of-the-day” that affect both commercial and general aviation pilots and mechanics.  The Flight Safety Detectives point fingers, interpret the facts, politics and policies related to specific incident and accident investigations, and ask the tough questions that haven’t been addressed by the industry or the national/international media.
 
In addition to flight safety-related topics, Goglia and Feith identify and discuss with their unique perspectives, topics of interest such as traveling with infants and children, tips and tricks for navigating through airports and security, dealing with unruly passengers, and packing your bags (what you can and cannot take through security) among many other topics.  There is no aviation-related topic that the Flight Safety Detectives won’t address.  The podcasts will also feature discussions with some of the world’s most knowledgeable and well-known aviation industry subject-matter experts, and Goglia and Feith also answer listener questions. Listener interest in “Flight Safety Detectives” has been strong and the numbers already are in the tens of thousands and growing.
 
To interview Goglia or Feith, please contact Robert Deigh 703-401-6339; robert@rdccommunication.com. To advertise on the show and/or website, or sponsor a Flight Safety Detectives show, please contact John Goglia at 703-597-4502 (gogliaj@gmail.com) or Greg Feith at 303-279-6096 (crashdetective@msn.com).  The series is available at flightsafetydetectives.com and on many podcast apps. 

The Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (​AWAM) is excited to accept applications for the 2020 AWAM scholarship season.

Applicants can apply online and watch the application tutorial video at www.awam.org/scholarships.

Student, technician, and instructor scholarships are available (to be eligible, the instructor must be employed by an AWAM-member school).

Direct inquiries to scholarships@awam.org.

Update: The President has formally acknowledged AMT Day: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/presidential-message-aviation-maintenance-technician-day/

Aviation leaders sent a letter to the president earlier this week, seeking formal recognition of May 24 as Aviation Maintenance Technician Day. The day is already officially recognized by nearly all 50 United States, Commonwealths and Territories, United States Congress, and United States Senate.
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The letter, initiated by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association and the Aerospace Maintenance Council, requests that "the White House honor a true American hero that was almost forgotten by history, and recognize the importance of the contributions made by Charles E. Taylor and the men and women who have followed in his footsteps by celebrating Aviation Maintenance Technician Day on May 24 of this year and each year following."

In addition to PAMA, AMFA and AMC, the letter was signed by--

​Aeronautical Repair Station Association
Aircraft Electronics Association
Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association
Airlines for America
Aviation Mechanics Coalition
Aviation Technician Education Council
Helicopter Association International
National Air Carrier Association
National Air Transportation Association
Regional Airline Association

The Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) is exploring opportunities for new member benefits, including professional liability insurance for maintenance professionals. Members and non-members alike are encouraged to take a quick survey to help guide PAMA leadership as it prioritizes future offerings.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 28, 2019 
CONTACT: Philip Barbour, 205-939-1700, 205-617-9007 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award, honoring a leader in global aviation safety. The Award will be presented during the 72nd Annual International Air Safety Summit, taking place Nov 4-6 in Taipei, Taiwan. 

Presented since 1956, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award recognizes notable achievement in the field of civil or military aviation safety in method, design, invention, study or other improvement. The Award's recipient is selected for a "significant individual or group effort contributing to improving aviation safety, with emphasis on original contributions," and a "significant individual or group effort performed above and beyond normal responsibilities." 

Mechanics, engineers and others outside of top administrative or research positions should be especially considered. The contribution need not be recent, especially if the nominee has not received adequate recognition. Nominations that were not selected as past winners of the Award can be submitted one additional time for consideration. Please note that self-nominations will not be considered. 

The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award's story dates back 74 years. On April 14, 1945, after visiting family in Pittsburgh, Laura Taber Barbour was aboard a Pennsylvania Central Airlines DC-3 when it crashed into the rugged terrain of Cheat Mountain near Morgantown, West Virginia. All passengers and crew were killed. In the years following, her husband, Dr. Clifford E. Barbour and son, Clifford E. Barbour, Jr., established the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award in her honor. 
The Award Board, composed of leaders in the field of aviation, meets each year to conduct a final review of nominees and selection of the current year's recipient.
 
Please help us honor this year's most deserving recipient. Nominations, including a 1-2-page narrative, can be submitted via the Laura Taber Barbour Foundation website at http://ltbaward.org/the-award/nomination-form/.
 
Nominations will be accepted until May 10, 2019. 
​
For more information, including a complete history of Award recipients, see www.ltbaward.org.
 
ABOUT THE LAURA TABER BARBOUR AIR SAFETY AWARD: The Award was established in 1956 through early association with the Flight Safety Foundation and from its founding has enjoyed a rich history of Award Board members, nominees and Award recipients. In 2013, the non-profit Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation was formed from members of the Award Board, the aviation community and the Barbour family. As the foundation plans to broaden the scope of its intent, with great purpose, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award will continue to spotlight those champions who pioneer breakthroughs in flight safety. ​

The General Aviation Awards Program is a cooperative effort between more than a dozen sponsoring organizations from the aviation industry and the Federal Aviation Administration. PAMA is proud to support the program, which recognizes aviation professionals including aviation mechanics that have made important contributions to the general aviation community.

Jon David Monti of Gardnerville, Nevada has been named the 2019 Aviation Technician of the Year. From an early age, Dave showed a propensity for all things mechanical with an interest in disassembling and improving everything he touched. Understandably, he would choose to major in Mechanical Engineering for his collegiate studies. He was also infatuated with airplanes as a youngster, soloing on his 16th birthday and earning his private pilot certificate on his 17th. He went on to earn his instrument rating, commercial pilot certificate, aircraft and powerplant mechanic certificate, and inspection authorization.

To read more, and to join PAMA in supporting the annual awards, visit http://www.generalaviationawards.com/.

Aviation luminary and long-time PAMA member Skip Koss passed away on March 19, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family. Skip was 83 years young.
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Skip started his aviation career at Detroit City Airport in the summer of 1949 where he enthusiastically washed and polished airplanes and swept hangar floors. He went on to attend Aero Mechanics High School and worked at the City Airport with every free moment because nothing could keep him away from airplanes. At 17, Skip passed his written exams for his FAA mechanic certificate but he had to wait until 18 to take his practical’s.

Skip went on to work for General Motors Air Transport section for 13 years as a Licensed A&P before becoming the DOM for Midwestern Airlines, Omni Aircraft Sales and Sunstream Jet Center. It was upon joining Aero Quality as the Sales Manager in 1973 where Skip began to foster his legendary knowledge of batteries, and worked closely with engineering expert Joe Mibelli of JFM Engineering, to develop the “Superseder”, the first charger analyzer that could charge and discharge high currents at low voltage.

After some time as Manager of OEM Sales at Teledyne Battery Products and later Marathon Power Technology, Skip joined Concorde Battery Corporation where he embraced the concept of lead acid batteries and took on the difficult task of convincing operators of the safety and merits of the new technology. His longstanding relationship with Lockheed’s Burbank Skunk Works facility allowed him the opportunity to introduce lead acid batteries which, unbeknownst to Skip until much later, were soon replacing the older technology batteries on the then classified F-117A Stealth being deployed in the Persian Gulf War.

This success opened the door to many more military applications and ultimately the commercial aviation markets, all of which Skip cultivated over his 30 years with Concorde.

Skip’s business prowess, eagerness to share his boundless knowledge and genuine caring spirit earned him celebrity status amongst his colleagues, customers, fellow PAMA members and all aviation
enthusiasts. Skip’s passion for aviation was second to none and he contributed much to the industry.

Skip was an active member of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the FAA Aerospace
Committee for the development of US aircraft battery specifications, the EAA, and SoCal and National PAMA, donating endless hours to the education of mechanics and pilots.

Skip received the highest honor from the FAA in 2009 when he was awarded the prestigious Charles E. Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award by in recognition of his contributions to building and maintaining the safest aviation system in the world through practicing and promoting safe aircraft maintenance for 50 consecutive years. Skip was a visionary, a great industry leader and a friend to all he met. He will be dearly missed.

One of Skip’s favorite places was the Planes of Fame Air Museum and his family has decided to have his “Celebration of Life Ceremony” there on May 11, 2019 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Maloney Hangar.  The service will begin at 1:30 PM.
 
Planes of Fame Air Museum
14998 Cal Aero Drive
Chino, CA 91710
 
Register to attend by clicking on "Event Registration" at www.concordebattery.com.  Please register at your earliest convenience as the Maloney Hangar has a maximum occupancy of 240 people.
  
Guests are welcome to arrive a few hours early and tour the entire Museum, at no charge.

On April 11, PAMA announced the winners of three new scholarship opportunities at the Aerospace Maintenance Competition awards ceremony in Atlanta.​ All students were awarded scholarships to further their respective aviation education.

Ben Thompson maintains a GPA of 3.94 at Tulsa Technology Center and is set to graduate in January of 2020.  He is described by his professors as an exceptional student academically and one who eagerly assists other students.  Ben has a demonstrated interest in avionics and plans to pursue a career in commercial aviation. Ben received a $1,500 scholarship, courtesy of JSfirm.com.

Immanuel Bankole maintains a GPA of 4.0 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, earning him four straight semesters on the Dean's List.  He already holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, as well as his A&P certificates and is working towards his avionics rating.  His future goals include obtaining a private pilot's license and owning aviation servicing companies in developing countries.  His professors describe him as consistently outperforming expectations regardless of the task put before him. Immanuel received a $1,000 scholarship courtesy of  PistonPower™ by AEPC™.

Jennifer Moua's passion for aviation began in the military performing maintenance on F-18 Super Hornets.  Since leaving the military, she graduated from Joaquin Valley College this February with a GPA of 3.90 and has earned her A&P Certificates.  Her next goal is to get her pilot's license with both fixed wing and helicopter ratings.  Her professors describe her as academically exceptional but also kind and caring towards others.  According to them, she has demonstrated strong leadership qualities. Jennifer received a $5,000 award to be used towards her pilot certification, courtesy of Sporty’s Foundation.

Congratulations to all our award recipients. Visit the scholarship page for more information on the application deadline for 2020, and to contribute to the PAMA scholarship fund.