Aviation Safety Career

[patx202]

I love aviation but I’m not interested in being a professional pilot. A career as an accident investigator would be my ultimate goal; however, working anywhere in the field of aviation safety would be extremely gratifying. I am currently finishing up a BS in Public Health and also hold a PPL. I was looking into Embry Riddle’s Master of Safety Science Program (specializing in accident investigation). Can anyone tell me if this would be a good path to reach my goals? Are there any other schools that offer a similar program? What jobs are there in aviation safety outside of the NTSB/FAA? Also, are the job prospects in this field good? I found it really hard to find good information – any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[cypilot77]

Originally Posted by patx202

I love aviation but I’m not interested in being a professional pilot. A career as an accident investigator would be my ultimate goal; however, working anywhere in the field of aviation safety would be extremely gratifying. I am currently finishing up a BS in Public Health and also hold a PPL. I was looking into Embry Riddle’s Master of Safety Science Program (specializing in accident investigation). Can anyone tell me if this would be a good path to reach my goals? Are there any other schools that offer a similar program? What jobs are there in aviation safety outside of the NTSB/FAA? Also, are the job prospects in this field good? I found it really hard to find good information – any advice would be greatly appreciated.

i have the same problem with you. I keep asking questions but i cant get an answer about the topic. The only thingi managed to find out is that NTSB has its own training facility and they train people for accident investigations. ITs a 2 week program and it costs about $2600. I would love to attend it but its very costly.

[Champcar]

Its hard field to get into right after college. I went to Riddle and worked with their lead Investigator for 3 years and its a field held by the old timers.

The NTSB is down to 400 employees and don't hire very often cause of their budget. They like perfect candidates, people with flight experience in fixed and helicopters and have their A and P. All the airlines have their own safety investigators and safety departments so get some experience flying then get into a safety department. Thats what I am doing.

Carefull with Riddles Master, its REALLY focused on Industrial safety.

[Pistolpak1]

A good friend of mine is going through the interviewing process for NTSB he said the thing that got him to a interview was working for an aircraft manufacturer in their safety/accident prevention dept. So I would give the advice to look at those options first. I am sure the big government jobs are held by the cream of the crop and best of the best with LOADS of experience.

[troopernflight]

I believe they only really take people who have been pilots for these type positions. A base requirement is 1000 hours of PIC time. They also talk about preferred past experience in the following areas: 1) flight safety officer, 2) flight operations supervisor, 3) aircraft maintenance supervisor, 4) designated pilot examiner, 5) flight instruction supervisor, 6) chief pilot of a scheduled air carrier or air taxi operation, 7) flight test pilot.
In addition they require the following tickets and ratings:
1) Possession of a valid commercial pilot certificate with an instrument airplane rating or airline transport pilot certificate.2) Possession of ASEL and AMEL Ratings.3) Possession of a first or second class Airman's Medical Certificate which must be current at the time the application is submitted.
You may want to look into internships that they usually offer every year via the website.

[lieutfunaki]

Originally Posted by patx202

I love aviation but I’m not interested in being a professional pilot. A career as an accident investigator would be my ultimate goal; however, working anywhere in the field of aviation safety would be extremely gratifying. I am currently finishing up a BS in Public Health and also hold a PPL. I was looking into Embry Riddle’s Master of Safety Science Program (specializing in accident investigation). Can anyone tell me if this would be a good path to reach my goals? Are there any other schools that offer a similar program? What jobs are there in aviation safety outside of the NTSB/FAA? Also, are the job prospects in this field good? I found it really hard to find good information – any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'm 24, just graduated with my BA and am now the Manager of Safety for a Part 135 Charter outfit. While I cannot speak to how most people get into accident investigation, I can tell you how I got involved here, and (though I don't plan to go that way) why I think it is a great stepping stone into NTSB/FAA type positions.

First, I majored in Communication Studies and Minored in Aviation Operations. I got my current position by working at an FBO/Charter outfit for the last 7 years. I started as a fueler and worked my way into a desk job where I wrote press releases, a company newsletter, and letters from the CEO. My real opportunity came from making friends with the Chief Pilot. He offered me the chance to design a pilot training program (all 135 and 121 operations are required to have recurrent training for pilots). In my case, this involved learning proper operation myself, designing a powerpoint, and researching the NTSB database to find accidents that aircraft like ours had been in so that my pilots could learn from others' mistakes.

The training went well, and the company offered me a position as Manager of Safety and Training. Proper training for a Safety Officer of any kind includes flight operation related safety AND accident investigation. If, God forbid, there were to be an accident related to your establishment, you'd be coordinating with the NTSB and the FAA. This training, management experience, and education would all prepare you for a position with the NTSB.

I'm not convinced that you'd need an ATP or commercial, though it couldn't hurt. What I will say is that FAR part 119 clearly states that Part 135 and 121 operations that require their pilots to have and ATP to be PIC, must have a director of operations and chief pilot that hold ATP's. There is not such requirement for the safety officer. On top of this, I'll mention that I don't even have a private pilot's license...the pilots respect my opinions and knowledge, and that was enough for the company.

I'm convinced that the best means of getting into anything that interests you is to get out there and try for it. At the worst, you could apply for a position in Safety with a Charter operation or airline and if they tell you they aren't interested, you can then ask what they would recommend to better prepare yourself for such a position (I've done this many times, but so far I've never had to ask that question...which goes to show that getting yourself out there and selling yourself in an interview may land you a position you didn't think you were qualified for).

The other recommendation I have is to get into some kind of research. I worked at NASA's ASRS (Aviation Safety Reporting System) program for a number of months in an entry-level position. This kind of work looks great on a resume, helps pay the bills, and often has flexible hours.

Regarding education. It's been my experience that so long as you have a Bachelors, further education may not be as competitive as work experience. Also, should you get a full-time position with a 135 or 121 operation, they very well may have educational assistance (mine does) and may be willing to pay for that Masters (experience and free school...beat that). Aside from this type of education, an operation may be willing to send you to seminars and conferences related to your position. You could do these on your own as well. Some examples are:

Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar
Air Charter Safety Foundation
ARG/US Safety Manager Training / On-Site Investigation Training
Embry Riddle has non-degree programs too (Safety Certificates etc)

Feel free to private message me for my email addres, and we can correspond that way if you have further questions.