Fifteen Witnesses Expected From Industry, Regulatory Agencies

The NTSB has announced the final agenda for its Air Race and Air Show Safety Hearing, which takes place on January 10, 2012. The start time for the hearing, which is being held at the NTSB Conference Center and Board Room in Washington, DC, has been changed to 0900 EST. 

Fifteen witnesses will provide the Board and the public insight into current safety regulations, the protocols and practices utilized for planning, and the specifics of air show and air race operations. Following presentations by each panel, the witnesses will be questioned by the NTSB's
five Member Board.

The hearing will open at 0900 with a statement from NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman.

0915   Panel One: Regulations and Oversight

• Federal Aviation Administration: John McGraw, Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service, Michael Umstead, National Aviation Events Specialist, Flight Standards Service
• International Council of Air Shows (ICAS): John Cudahy, President, International Council of Air Shows, Wayne Boggs, ICAS Member, Judy Willey, Chairman, ICAS Board of Directors

1040 Panel Two: Aviation Event Organizations

• Reno Air Race Association (RARA): Mike Houghton, President/CEO, Reno Air Race Association, Michael Major, RARA Board Member, Pilot and Aircraft Registration
• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): Rod Hightower, President/CEO, Experimental Aircraft
• Association, Sean Elliott, Vice President for Government Affairs
• George Cline, President, Air Boss Inc. 

1300 Panel Three: Aviation Event Operations

• Seafair Air Show: Frank Sebastian, Air Show Coordinator and Chair
• Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show: Edwin Dunham , USMC Air Show Director
• Commemorative Air Force: Robert Stenevik, Vice President of Safety, Operations, and Maintenance
• Red Bull Air Racing: Jim DiMatteo, Former Race Director for San Diego and New York Events
• Team Oracle: Sean Tucker, Performer

The hearing is expected to adjourn at about 1515 EST

FMI: www.ntsb.gov