NBAA Applauds Confirmation of Rosekind, Weener to NTSB

Contacts: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.orgPatrick Dunne, (202) 783-9263, pdunne@nbaa.org

Washington, DC, June 23, 2010 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today enthusiastically welcomed the appointment of two respected figures with a thorough understanding of safety issues important to the business aviation community to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

On June 22, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed the appointment of Dr. Mark Rosekind and Dr. Earl Weener as members of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Each will serve a term of five years. The White House nominated Dr. Rosekind to the NTSB in October 2009; Dr. Weener’s nomination was submitted to the Senate in January of this year.

“NBAA and the business aviation community have long-standing and highly productive working relationships with Dr. Rosekind and Dr. Weener,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Each is very knowledgeable about business aviation, and each has long been focused on safety, which is the industry’s highest priority. The superior level of technical experience and investigative knowledge that each will bring to the Board will contribute significantly to the expertise already present at the NTSB. We look forward to working with Doctors Rosekind and Weener, and their colleagues on the Board.”

Dr. Rosekind lead significant early investigative work into flight crew fatigue during his time with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and his research into fatigue has made him one of the preeminent authorities on the issue. NBAA worked with Dr. Rosekind on the development of a Fatigue Countermeasures Toolkit, which includes several resources and videos to increase awareness among flight crews and passengers about the dangers of flying while fatigued. Dr. Rosekind was interviewed about fatigue countermeasures for the business aviation community in an article for the July/August 2008 edition of Business Aviation Insider. To view a copy of that article, visit:http://www.nbaa.org/news/insider/medical-200808.php

Dr. Weener, a fellow at the Flight Safety Foundation, has led efforts across a broad spectrum of aviation safety issues including fatigue management, runway safety, and approach-and-landing accident prevention. NBAA and the Flight Safety Foundation partner every year to produce the Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar, which highlights the latest safety issues and trends affecting business aviation.

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.