As a newcomer to Flight Safety Foundation in July, I would like to introduce myself. Known in the industry as Rudy, I’ve joined the Foundation after 31 years in the airline industry. In my role as deputy director of technical programs, I will be working with Jim Burin, the director, to further develop FSF capabilities and provide more value to our members while, most importantly, enhancing safety.
After I earned my Federal Aviation Administration aircraft mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings, I began my aviation career as an aircraft maintenance technician with Eastern Airlines in 1980, working at the Miami maintenance base. In those days, most airlines had seasoned veterans who mentored new technicians. I credit all of the aviation veterans at Eastern for guiding me in those early years, a process that I believe is crucial for the proper development of expertise and professionalism.
After nine years at Eastern, I moved to US Airways — known as USAir in those…
