choppersafety

Hello everyone! I am currently an active duty U.S. military rotary wing aviator. I also work as an aviation safety officer. I will be leaving the military within the next few months looking to transition to an aviation safety related job in the civilian sector.

I have been considering the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering's aviation safety and security certificate program. From my readings, it seems the program is a little over a month long. Below is more information:


Aviation safety and security certificate program
USC Viterbi School of Engineering : Aviation Safety & Security

Course catalog
http://viterbi.usc.edu/aviation/assets/002/81144.pdf


1. Has anyone here participated in this program before?
2. Recommendations? Yay or nay?
3. How does the civilian sector view an aviation safety and security certificate from this institution?

Thank you for your help and fly safe!

rickair7777

I'm not particularly familiar with the paths in that field however...

Larger private organizations which might employ a safety officer (ie airlines) will almost always use a current or retired captain from their seniority list, although there may be subordinate jobs held by people who aren't on the list. It's kind of a credibility thing.

You should probably just apply to the NTSB, they are usually hiring somewhere in the country. Or the FAA as an inspector, both are decent jobs with stability (I think NTSB pay might be lower).

The security aspect is a different animal...skull-numbing boredom but plenty of gubmint cheese to go around there.

Std Deviation

I took the Human Factors Course there (two years ago) which is part of the program. Overall good course. Class had a lot of non-pilots: safety managers, engineers, etc. I was going to take the accident investigation class but the NTSB teaches a two week course in March 2013. The advantage of that course is that it is taught by current, active NTSB investigators.

The classroom at USC is right at LAX so it's very convenient. You can walk from the hotels each day.
I believe George Washington University (D.C.) also has a security/safety certificate program.

Herc09

Has anyone attended this course recently?

galaxy flyer

I didn't but I sent my two safety officers and a security manager there--good courses, nice facility and you make some great contacts.

The NTSB dies run some great course at their training facility, but not a full-up safety certification program like Viterbi.

GF

GNFTR41

I took the Human Factors course a few weeks ago. It was a PHENOMENAL course. There were a couple of Boeing engineers, a recent Harvard graduate (who is now at USAF UPT), a pilot from SDGE, a pilot from Philippine Airlines, a couple of Canadian Government Accident Investigators, an LAPD pilot, three SWA safety folks, 2 FBI pilots, a Dutch F-16 pilot, an Army enlisted crew chief, and several others. The instructor was a USAFA grad who flew C141s and then was a 30 year Continental Captain who helped develop Human Factors back in the 80s and 90s. He is an EXCELLENT instructor and a GOOD man.

I'm taking the ASMS course (two weeks) the first week of March.

The USC program is set up as a 5 course (minimum) program. A few of the courses are only a few days long. I know several people who have earned the certificate... and they all loved the program. I'm taking all 5 courses this calendar year.

Herc09

Pm sent. Hoping to start the program in may!

Herc09

Boom! Enrolled in HFH 20-24 march and GTAI 7-12 may!

Herc09

Just finished the human factors course. EXCELLENT course. You will make some excellent contacts in the industry. We had attendees from every corner of the industry. Folks from morrocco,Kenya,Korea, holland, Canada as well. Southwest seemed to have to have the highest representation......great course!