All of us in the aviation safety business–and who isn’t involved in safety if they’re in aviation?–talk a lot these days about human factors. Human factors are involved in the overwhelming majority of aircraft incidents and accidents, by some estimates more than 80 percent, as aircraft and their components have become more reliable and less prone to causing catastrophic failures. The equipment has become less vulnerable to failures, but human errors and lapses have proved stubbornly difficult to anticipate and mitigate or eliminate. Much of the conversation these days involves the effect of fatigue, perhaps because a fatigue connection has been cited as a contributing factor in a number of tragic accidents across modes of transportation.
So, with all this concern about fatigue I was surprised to see that a recent National Air Traffic Controllers Association (Natca) media blitz concerning air traffic controller staffing shortages focused on their potential for creating more airline delays. This effort failed to mention any safety impacts, even though union officials claimed that the staffing shortages have led to six-day work weeks at some of the busiest facilities in the U.S. (Atlanta, Chicago and New York among them). Curiously, these union officials were quoted by numerous media sources as saying that in spite of the six-day weeks, the decrease in staffing was not causing a safety problem. Say what? Routine six-day work weeks and no concern for fatigue? That seems rather odd.
With more than 40 years experience in the aviation industry, The Honorable John Goglia, was the first and only Airframe and Powerplant mechanic to receive a presidential appointment to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). He served from August 1995 to June 2004.
As a Board Member, Mr. Goglia distinguished himself in numerous areas of transportation safety. In particular, he was instrumental in raising awareness of airport safety issues, including the importance of airport crash fire and rescue operations and the dangers of wildlife at airports. He played a key role in focusing international attention on the increasing significance of aircraft maintenance in aviation accidents. He pressed, successfully, for greater integration of civilian and military safety information, becoming a featured speaker at national aviation symposiums attended by military leaders and major defense contractors. He is a leading proponent of airplane child safety seats.
Prior to becoming a Board Member, Mr. Goglia held numerous positions in the airline industry. He started as a mechanic for United Airlines and eventually joined Allegheny, which became USAir. Additionally, he was involved for more than 20 years as a union flight safety representative on accident investigation teams. There, he developed a safety program for his union, the International Association of Machinists, and was its representative for NTSB investigations. For twelve years, he operated his own aircraft service company.
Numerous prestigious groups have recognized Mr. Goglia’s contributions to aviation safety. Aviation Week & Space Technology awarded him a coveted 2004 Laurel for his outstanding service as an NTSB Board member. The Society of Automotive Engineers presented him with the Aerospace Chair Award for outstanding leadership in 2003 and the Marvin Whitlock Award for outstanding management accomplishment in 2002.
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