NTSB -- NTSB TO HOLD A PUBLIC FORUM ON PROFESSIONALISM IN AVIATION

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NTSB PRESS RELEASE

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 19, 2010

SB-10-11

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NTSB TO HOLD A PUBLIC FORUM ON PROFESSIONALISM IN AVIATION

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(Washington, DC) The National Transportation Safety Board

will hold a safety forum on professionalism in aviation

beginning Tuesday, May 18, 2010. The three-day, en-banc 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."

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 Board Room and Conference Center,

located at 429 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C. The

public can view the forum in person or by webcast on the

NTSB's web site.

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NTSB Media Contact: Terry N. Williams

williat@xxxxxxxx

(202) 314-6100

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