The Awards Represent Aviation Safety Innovations And Heroic Actions By ALPA Pilots

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) has recognized the accomplishments of six distinguished pilots during its 61st Air Safety Forum. The presentation of ALPA’s prestigious awards and citations were featured during the four-day event.

In addition to honoring outstanding contributions by pilots in aviation safety and security, ALPA’s forum featured panels of subject-matter experts who led thoughtful and engaging discussions regarding longstanding and emerging issues in key areas related to safety.

“ALPA’s Air Safety Forum is a unique opportunity for aviation safety and security experts to engage on key issues that affect the future of our industry,” said ALPA president Capt. Tim Canoll. “It also presents the chance to celebrate the dedicated pilots whose outstanding contributions continue to uphold the highest standards our profession has to offer.”

ALPA presented its highest safety honor, the Air Safety Award, to Delta Air Lines First Officer Helena Reidemar, PhD ABD, whose groundbreaking effort to enhance flight path monitoring throughout the airline industry culminated in a manual that is now the benchmark reference for airlines to improve pilot monitoring skills.

Delta Air Lines Capt. James Judkins and First Officer Michael Oates accepted this year’s Superior Airmanship Awards for their extraordinary efforts in performing an emergency landing in low visibility after a series of inflight electrical failures disabled several of their cockpit systems.

The union recognized Alaska Airlines Capt. Darrin Dorn with its Aviation Security Award for his innumerable accomplishments in enhancing pilot safety and security. Captain Dorn’s introduction of the individual crewmember security concept helped ALPA develop a specialized training program. He was also instrumental in developing a video series for pilots to enhance situational awareness and improve crewmember security.

ALPA’s awarded its Presidential Citation to United Airlines Capt. Dave McKenney. A leading contributor in efforts to improve aviation’s outstanding safety rating, Capt. McKenney’s tireless efforts continue to ensure that pilot training programs develop airmanship skills that reflect today’s cockpit environment.

ALPA presented the Outstanding Airport Safety Liaison to ExpressJet Airlines First Officer Mark Crystal for his engagement in many aspects of flight operations at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental. For years, First Officer Crystal has provided the airline pilot’s views on issues ranging from runway safety, aircraft rescue, and firefighting to highlighting the dangers of shining a laser at an airliner cockpit.

Concluding the awards, ALPA named Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) Airport of the Year for its outstanding commitment to engaging with airline pilots during construction of the new South Runway.

FMI: www.alpa.org