I’ve meant to go to the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Red Hook, New York, for a very long time. It’s only a few hours from where I live, so there was no excuse why I didn’t get there sooner. But life and work commitments often intervene. And you keep putting off something that seems like a “nice to do” but not a “have to do.” So, I just never took the time to go until this year.
I found myself driving through upstate New York when a sign for the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome caught my eye. I was running a tad late, and I thought maybe I’d plan to swing by the Aerodrome on my way back. But then as I drove past the sign, I thought of all the times I’d said I’d go and didn’t. And right then and there I made a U-turn and headed back. Maybe there’s never a perfect time to detour to see old airplanes, but I thought this was as good a time as any. And I’m sure glad I did. For the $7 price of admission, I not only returned to the aircraft and engines of my youth but got to marvel over the aircraft that our earliest aviation pioneers flew.
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.
