Aviation Expert Witnesses

What is an aviation expert witness?

Aviation expert witness candidates are often licensed professional engineers with advanced degrees (PE, PhD) in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, aeronautical engineering, or aerospace engineering with extensive experience in aircraft design and maintenance, aviation safety, commercial or military flight operations, air traffic control, airport management, FAA regulations, and/or avionics. 

Some of these experts are also airplane or helicopter pilots and/or instructors with an extensive knowledge of FAA regulations and/or flight operations. Some aviation expert witness candidates have military or aviation security experience and many are members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association or the Experimental Aircraft Association.

What types of cases require an aviation expert witness?

A wide variety of legal cases require aviation-related experts to weigh in on intellectual property disputes such as patent infringement litigation, inter partes reviews in the PTAB, or trade secret disputes. Representatives matters that Cahn Litigation Services has performed expert searches for include:

• aircraft engine failure and operations
• aeronautics / aerospace engineering specifics
• airline transport pilots (ATP) / airline transport pilot training
• Human factors product development
• aircraft leasing disputes
• commercial or military flight operations
• helicopter valuation
• aviation appraisals
• airport planning or management issues
• NTSB piloting safety recommendations
• aviation meteorology
• airplane / helicopter accident investigations
• flight training by a certified flight instructor (type rating)
• airframe stability
• rotary-wing aircraft regulatory compliance
• aviation safety management systems
• heliports
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and investigations

Aviation expert witness case examples

• New York City airline operations / flight test conditions
• Aviation security at an Arizona airport
• Air safety in the Los Angeles area

What litigation support work might an aviation expert witness be expected to perform?

Litigation support by an aviation expert witness could include reverse engineering, authoring expert reports, providing expert opinions, and testimony at deposition and trial. Forensic engineering of components can prove (or disprove) intellectual property infringement or theft. An aviation expert might also provide testimony in a product liability case involving failure analysis, be called upon to testify in an aircraft accident investigation, or provide aviation appraisal testimony.

In addition, clients may seek an expert for pre-litigation aviation consulting work. In a high-profile case, or litigation involving a significant financial stake, a law firm may request a qualified expert with prior expert witness testimony experience.

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Aviation Expert Witness - Representative Bios

Please Note: All Cahn Litigation expert witness searches are customized to attorneys' precise specifications and preferences. Attorneys are encouraged to discuss search parameters with a Cahn search specialist.

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The below expert witness bios represent a small fraction of those Aviation experts known by Cahn Litigation Services. These bios are provided to give lawyers a sense of the Aviation landscape.

• Expert Witness #252824

  This expert is a professor of Aerospace Engineering and Rotorcraft Design, and a Director of a Center of Excellence in Rotorcraft Technology. This expert initiated a School of AE graduate program in Aerospace

  Systems Design and started an Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory. This expert established an Integrated Product Lifecycle Engineering Laboratory. This expert has extensive expertise in the design and development of complex systems. This expert served as an aviator, engineer, manager and senior executive with the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command. As a dynamics, vibrations and aeroelasticity engineer this expert served as the Army's expert in these areas during the design and development of all the Army's major aviation systems, the UH-60 Black Hawk, the AH-64 Apache, the C H-47D Chinook, and the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, as well as major upgrades to Army Aviation fixed wing aircraft, such as the R U-21D, and OV-1D Mohawk. In addition, this expert served as the dynamics evaluator and technical area chief on Army Aviation Major Source Selection Evaluation Boards that led to the development of these systems. This expert oversaw the airworthiness qualification efforts for all new and upgraded Army aviation systems and provided engineering support to the program managers on these systems. This expert oversaw the Command's Science and Technology program, and led the concept development of new systems.

  This expert also served on a temporary assignment as the Chief Scientist for the Army's Combined Arms Center and was an active duty Army aviator and commander and Field Artillery battery commander. This expert is the author or co-author of several book chapters and more than 200 technical publications in the fields of dynamics and aeroelasticity, flight mechanics and controls, aerospace systems design, and Integrated Product and Process Development. This expert is both an AHS and an AIAA Fellow, and a member of the American Society of Engineering Educators.

  
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• Expert Witness #259423

  This expert received a BSEE, MSEE, and Ph.D. This expert is a Communication Systems Engineer where this expert's interests include aviation communications, cosite interference analysis and mitigation, antennas and RF propagation. This expert serves as the lead RF systems engineer for a Data Comm program, which is a nationwide, digital communication network connecting air traffic controllers and pilots. This expert attends meetings of the Aeronautical Frequency Committee, and was responsible for developing the frequency plan for VHF Datalink mode 2 that was adapted by the committee for use by DCNS. This expert was an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering where this expert also served as the Associate Director of a Wireless Center. This expert has held a variety of industry positions, has many published papers, holds five patents and has authored a text book. This expert has been a licensed professional engineer, is a senior member of the IEEE, a licensed private pilot, and a part 107 UAV pilot.

  
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• Expert Witness #252504

  This expert has served as an active duty helicopter pilot conducting a variety of operational missions nationwide and served as a helicopter flight instructor, aeronautical engineer and maintenance test pilot. During military service, this expert specialized in aircraft operations, maintenance, sustainability, engineering and logistics. This expert brings to the table many years of experience as a Pilot/Aeronautical Engineer/Logistician/Acquisition Officer directing operations and maintenance, leading advanced technology upgrades, directing/developing people, and implementing/managing complex large-scale systems and logistics infrastructures for operations, security, maintenance and production. This expert led two of the largest acquisition programs in helicopter fleet history as the Chief Systems Engineer/Logistician. As Director of Aircraft Maintenance and Logistics, this expert led a multi-million dollar fleet engine upgrade program of helicopters; scheduled and maintained a 22-helicopter annual depot maintenance, throughput while re-engineering an average of 38 helicopters per year. This expert developed and implemented a logistics infrastructure to support continuous aircraft deliveries and maintenance inductions, coordinated superior engineering support and technical services to sustain the operational fleet, and developed operational requirements, obsolescence studies, reliability and cost data to extend the service life of a helicopter an additional 20 years. This expert has served as the lead aviation engineering investigator on a fatal helicopter crash and served as a subject matter expert on two additional mishaps.

  
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• Expert Witness #251029

  This expert has many years' experience in the aviation industry and has spent many as a consultant. Aerodynamics, and Aircraft Design are two areas of specialization. This expert has published university papers on wind tunnels, wind tunnel testing and investigations, drag reduction and other aerodynamics subject matter. This expert regularly consults to manufacturers and to simulator developers as well as the FAA and NASA. This expert is well published in the field (over 50 publications)

  
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• Expert Witness #251068

  This expert is a consultant and expert witness to the aviation industry. During this expert's accomplished naval career, this expert earned two advanced degrees in Aeronautical Engineering. This expert has experience with drag, turbulence, and wind tunnels and the attendant measurements and calculations associated with their analysis. This expert has deep experience in commercial airliners, having been Senior Vice President of Operations, Director of Maintenance Administration, and having run the engine and component repair facility at a major airport, among other positions.

  
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• Expert Witness #263894

  This expert serves as Director and leads the Forensic Investigation group of a highly successful, International consultancy. This expert has conducted complex financial analyses involving lost sales, lost profits, incremental profits, manufacturing and marketing capacity, fixed and variable costs, product line profitability, price erosion, reasonable royalties, unjust enrichment, commercial success, and prejudgment and post-verdict interest for both plaintiffs and defendants. This expert has also served as an expert witness in matters filed in U.S. District Court, state court, and before the American Arbitration Association. Additionally, this expert has lectured on the topic of intellectual property damages at law schools and bar associations.

  This expert’s case experience encompasses a broad array of industries including automotive, aviation, biotechnology, cellular, chemicals, consumer products, energy, financial securities, healthcare, HVAC, information technology, internet, medical products, military, network security, online learning, optical, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, sporting goods, supercomputers, and telecommunications.

  
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• Expert Witness #251097

  This expert is the principal consultant and expert witness in a successful aviation / space / and automotive consulting firm. This expert has direct experience with the design team of the an aircraft series, intimate understanding of drag reduction kit modifications, and prior work with Senior Leadership of a major airline. Every aspect of this expert's consulting is hands-on. This expert has specific experience in the design and test flight of experimental aircraft and component design functions. This expert's work with government agencies requires a Top Secret clearance. This expert's experience in forensic investigation makes this expert an authority on engineering corrective action, and design recommendations for desired performance.

  
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• Expert Witness #222583

  This expert has many years of direct hands-on experience performing tests, inspections, installations, and troubleshooting aircraft communication transceivers in many makes and models of general aviation aircraft. This experience is under the industry recognized term of "Avionics", which includes a wide range of aircraft electronic equipment. This expert owns and operates an FAA certified repair station exclusively focused on avionics testing and certifications with fixed-wing and helicopter capabilities nationwide.

  The communication transceiver tests this expert performs includes transmit power output and frequency checks to verify the output power of the transmitter and the accuracy of the frequency tuner within the radio. It is important to note that these tests may be performed on the bench with bench test equipment and the subject radio being removed from the aircraft and associated antenna. Or, the tests may be performed while the radio is installed in the aircraft and connected to the associated com antenna using ramp test equipment. This expert's experience is primarily with the latter scenario.

  This expert was a technical instructor for an Air Training Academy where this expert taught blocks of training required under FAA Part 147. This expert also served as an FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner, administering the FAA oral and practical exams to applicants for the Airframe and Power Plant certificates. This expert is also an accomplished instrument/commercial pilot with over 1800 hours in fixed-wing single and multi-engine aircraft and is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, and Aircraft Electronics Association.

  
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• Expert Witness #274026

  This visual perception expert holds EE, BE, and OD credentials and has studied vision and visual perception for over 40 years, rising to full Professor of Ophthalmology at a prestigious medical school in recognition of expertise and achievement in these areas.

  This expert's expertise covers multiple areas within vision and visual perception, including work on vision modeling centered on a novel definition of contrast in complex images that helps explain target detection and recognition across multiple areas of science and engineering. This work attracted attention from researchers in military and aviation settings and resulted in publication of an edited book with chapters written by colleagues in those areas.

  This expert was invited to collaborate with various military groups and NASA and served on an aeronautics research and technology subcommittee focused on aviation operating systems and aviation safety. This expert was the only non-aviation professional on the committee and led consideration of the role of vision and perception in aviation accidents.

  This expert is an experienced expert witness and litigation consultant.

  
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• Expert Witness #279231

  This aviation safety expert is a retired senior U.S. Army officer with over 35 years of aviation experience and leadership experience in aviation safety consulting. This expert is a master army aviator, aviation safety officer, commercial pilot, instructor pilot, and former accident investigator for the U.S. Army Safety Center. This expert is rated in both rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. As a safety officer, this expert has managed safety programs for organizations with over 100 aircraft across multiple states and has taught safety courses at universities. This expert has written safety articles for prominent aviation industry publications and has served as a safety and training columnist for aviation publications.

  This expert is a certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and has worked in the civilian commercial aviation industry flying for several companies. This expert also has experience in flight-for-life and aeromedical evacuation operations.

  This expert's consulting work includes safety evaluations and audits for aviation companies under Federal Aviation Regulations, IS-BAO, tour operator safety programs, and industry audit standards. This expert has conducted audits for operators in the energy, tour, VIP, Oil and Gas, Long Line, Fire Fighting, corporate, fixed-wing, and rotary-wing aviation sectors. This expert teaches and promotes proven Risk Management practices, specializes in Human Factors and Material Failure in accident investigations, and provides consulting services for industrial, construction, and motor vehicle accidents. This expert also has extensive experience in the helicopter tour industry across island, northern, desert, and canyon operating environments.

  
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• Expert Witness #279247

  This aviation safety expert is a former military naval aviator who served with distinction as an Aviation Safety Officer for fixed-wing and rotary-wing operations, a senior safety and standardization leader for a major aircraft wing, and an aircraft commander for a presidential flight detachment. This expert holds a Master of Aeronautical Science (MAS), with dual concentrations in Aviation Safety Systems and Human Factors, is a Certified Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), is a member of an international safety professionals association, and is the owner-operator of a safety firm. This expert holds Safety Risk Management Trainer Certificates from a federal aviation safety program, is an IS-BAO Auditor, IBAC, and is a HAI Accredited Auditor.

  This expert is a highly experienced pilot and aviation expert who has been involved in over 100 accident investigations, produced numerous client-specific safety management systems, consulted on aviation operations, and performed full system audits on fixed-wing and rotary-wing companies. This expert holds a Master of Aeronautical Science Degree, with dual concentrations in Aviation Safety Systems and Human Factors, and is a Certified International Safety Manager (CISM) by an international safety professionals association.

  This expert has extensive experience in aviation operations and aircraft maintenance and is a dual-rated rotary-wing and fixed-wing pilot with over 3,700 hours of accident-free flight time. This expert has numerous military and civilian flight credentials, including ATP rotorcraft, military flight instructor, Crew Resource Management Instructor, and Night Systems Familiarization Instructor.

  
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• Expert Witness #281878

  This psychiatry expert is a D.O., certified Medical Review Officer (MRO), FAPA, and FASAM, and is double Board Certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. In addition to private practice, this expert provides addiction psychiatry consultations to selected residential and outpatient addiction and mental health treatment programs.

  This expert is a HIMS-trained psychiatrist who provides evaluations of pilots and air traffic controllers for a federal aviation agency. This expert is also well experienced in providing mental health and substance use disorder evaluations and expert testimony for healthcare providers engaged in administrative and legal proceedings.

  This expert has volunteered as a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at a well-regarded university and has served as an associate professor of psychiatry at a prominent medical center. This expert has also held board, president, assembly representative, council, chair, and board-member roles with regional, state, and national psychiatric, addiction medicine, and physician health organizations.

  
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• Expert Witness #287025

  This oil industry finance expert has over 30 years of experience across the downstream oil industry with a major global energy company. After approximately a decade in the United Kingdom in roles involving distribution terminals, planning, retail service stations, and fuel-oil trading, this expert gained responsibility for product trading in Africa. This expert later held a senior international markets role covering aviation, marine, fuels, and lubricants across over 25 countries, followed by a global supply management role for aviation. This expert subsequently advised on organizing and improving value from the export of regulated petroleum products in the Middle East, including the formation of a new company, and served in a senior marketing and shipping leadership role.

  This expert is a former senior marketing and shipping executive with direct experience and responsibility for teams involved in exporting and moving thousands of oil cargoes, including commercial, operational, and financial aspects related to performance and payment. The majority of shipments had destinations in the Far East, including Singapore. This expert also had responsibility for shipping operations and is familiar with vessels on time charter, spot charters, contracts of affreightment, vessel instructions, and letters of indemnity from multiple perspectives. As an instructor with a professional training organization, this expert presents workshops on forms of payment security, including types of letters of credit and letters of indemnity in the absence of original documents from banking and shipping perspectives.

  
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• Expert Witness #287477

  This psychiatry expert is a board certified psychiatrist and forensic psychiatric expert with over 40 years of practice.

  This expert has been recognized among a limited group of physicians qualified to evaluate pilots for federal aviation purposes and a national pilot association. This expert has also performed Independent Medical Examinations for a state medical board, a state bar grievance committee, and various companies and unions.

  This expert has published more than 30 articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented at numerous professional meetings. This expert maintains a forensic practice balanced between plaintiff and defense work and has experience involving toxic chemicals, fumes, explosions, legitimate injuries, and PTSD.

  
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• Expert Witness #293521

  This FAA and aircraft manufacturing expert has over 45 years of experience in aviation. This expert is a former FAA Safety Inspector and has worked for an aircraft manufacturer, where the role involved responsibility for manufacturing processes and overall airworthiness certification of newly manufactured aircraft and major modification projects.

  This expert has testified in high-profile cases involving aircraft manufacturers' failure to comply with FAA-approved procedures, FAA regulatory non-compliance, failure to amend manufacturing procedures after a design failure became known, and failure to implement higher safety standards with superior products when known and available.

  
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• Expert Witness #293567

  This FAA regulations expert is a former federal transportation safety investigator and FAA Inspector with over 15 years of combined service. This expert has a specialized background in production management, accident investigations, airline, airport, and aircraft regulations, operations, maintenance, repair, manufacturing, and safety management systems, with experience and expertise involving FAA regulations.

  This expert received a degree in Aviation Maintenance Management from a well-regarded aeronautical university before pursuing a practical career with major aircraft manufacturers. This expert has experience with FAA Order 7110.65, which prescribes procedures and phraseology for use by persons providing air traffic control services. Through air traffic control-related investigations and aviation regulatory investigations, this expert developed specialized knowledge and understanding of air traffic control procedures and actions.

  This expert is an experienced expert witness and litigation consultant.

  
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• Expert Witness #300454

  This commercial loan underwriting expert holds the CFE, CFCI, CFS, and CCCI credentials and has held a leadership role at an advisory firm providing litigation support for lending disputes for over 20 years. While employed as a commercial lender, this expert worked with aviation-related commercial borrowers, including fixed-base operator lending relationships.

  This expert is an experienced expert witness and litigation consultant, having provided litigation support in more than 175 cases.

  
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• Expert Witness #300650

  This accident simulation graphics expert is an Aerospace Engineer by education and has practiced as a collision reconstructionist for over 30 years. This expert has seen the progression from simple line drawings to 3D simulations presented in courtroom settings, has used both methods in prior testimony, and is very comfortable in both worlds. This expert has produced multiple 3D simulations during a career and has worked with source materials and input from other experts.

  This expert can explain why a recreation of what pilots may be able to see can be important in aviation collision analysis. As a former pilot, this expert understands that an approaching aircraft on a collision course may not change position in the cockpit view and may only grow larger, making the situation difficult to judge from running or landing lights alone. When aircraft are separated by only a few hundred feet of altitude, vertical separation can also be difficult to assess.

  
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• Expert Witness #303533

  This airport safety expert is an airline pilot with experience using ATC-ramp control at major domestic and international airports.

  This expert has served as an expert witness for over 50 years and has testified by deposition or at trial dozens of times, including in aviation accident matters involving federal agencies.

  
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• Expert Witness #303544

  This airport safety expert holds a PhD and is a professor at a prestigious university. This expert chairs a federal aviation research engineering and development advisory committee, as well as other national and international advisory committees.

  This expert is a member of a prestigious engineering academy, is a Fellow of a prominent aerospace professional society, and has received numerous awards in aeronautics research, air traffic, aviation, and related fields. Research interests include air traffic control, airline management, and airline operations.

  
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• Expert Witness #2871851

  This airport safety expert has over 50 years of aviation operational experience, including over 30 years of experience in FAA airport traffic control. The aviation background includes government and private-sector work involving the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, air traffic control, flight operations, accident investigation, emergency management, safety, and risk management.

  This expert retired from the FAA after serving in multiple roles, including managerial roles involving air traffic terminal procedures and air traffic investigations. This expert provided investigatory support to federal law-enforcement agencies and legislative aviation subcommittees on sensitive operational issues.

  This expert holds licenses as a U.S. Airline Transport Pilot, Flight Instructor, Aircraft Dispatcher, and Air Traffic Controller. FAA work included positions at major U.S. airports.

  
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