The White House has selected Bruce Landsberg, a safety expert with a deep knowledge of the general aviation industry, to become the newest member of the National Transportation Safety Board. The Trump administration announced on September 15 that it intended to nominate Landsberg to a five-year term on the NTSB beginning Jan. 1, 2018, as well as a two-year term as vice chairman. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he would fill the final slot on the board, providing the NTSB with a full complement of five members.

Landsberg has had a long affiliation with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, leading its AOPA Foundation and Air Safety Institute (ASI) as executive director and then president for 22 years. Currently a senior safety advisor for the association and the ASI, he also has served as the industry co-chair of the FAA’s runway safety program.

While joining AOPA in 1992, Landsberg’s aviation career traces back to 1967 as mission launch officer with the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He since has held roles with companies such as Beacon Flying Service, Cessna Aircraft and FlightSafety International, as well as with Flying Magazine.

The business and general aviation community was enthusiastic by the selection. NBAA noted that Landsberg has written hundreds of articles on aviation safety and helped develop dozens of online courses. “His work with federal agencies, industry groups and other stakeholders makes him a perfect choice to serve on the NTSB,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “His impressive breadth of experience and no-nonsense approach to safety will be an important asset in the Board’s work.”

But Landsberg's imprint reaches beyond the general aviation community. National Air Traffic Controllers Association president Paul Rinaldi noted that Landsberg has worked collaboratively with his association on a variety of safety issues for 25 years and said he has “raised the bar for pilot safety.”