November 8, 2011 -- The University of Southern California Aviation Safety & Security program would like to congratulate it's current instructor, ret. Captain Jon M. Cox in his recognition for his extensive contributions to line operations safety, with particular emphasis on recovery from Loss of Control (LOC) and mitigation of the dangers of smoke, fire and fumes by being awarded the Fifty-Sixth Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award. The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award was established in 1956 by the late Clifford E. Barbour and his son, Clifford E. Barbour, Jr., in memory of Mrs. Clifford E. Barbour, who lost her life in an aircraft accident in 1945. The Award recognizes: notable achievment in the field of aviation safety - civil or military - in method, design, invention, study or improvement.

May 2, 2011 -- The University of Southern California Aviation Safety & Security Program is honored to serve the aviation community and is pleased to announce that previous Director and current Senior Instructor Michael Barr, has been asked to sit on the FAA Administrator's Task Force.charged with investigating issues within the US Air Traffic Control System. USC is well represented on this task force as two others sitting on the panel also hold USC Aviation Safety & Security Program Certificate in Aviation Safety. The press release for the five-person task force can be found Here.

Here is an excerpt from this press release:

"On Friday, the FAA also announced the members of an independent review panel that will evaluate the agency’s air traffic control training curriculum, qualifications and placement process to make sure new controllers are properly prepared. The members of the panel are: Michael Barr, University of Southern California Aviation, Safety & Security program; Tim Brady, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University; Garth Koleszar, NATCA; Michael New, United Airlines; and Julia Pounds, FAA. The panel will submit a report to FAA Administrator Babbitt this fall.

The in-depth look at air traffic controller training is part of the FAA – NATCA Call to Action on air traffic control safety and professionalism. Administrator Babbitt, NATCA President Paul Rinaldi and members of their leadership teams have been visiting air traffic facilities around the country to reinforce the need for all air traffic personnel to adhere to the highest professional standards."

With Michael Barr joined by Tim Brady and Michael New - both program graduates holding Aviation Safety Certificates from USC - our program is once again honored to be able to provide the leadership and expertise characterizing the Trojan Family.

April 1st, 2011 -- The USC Aviation Safgety & Security Program is proud to announce the publication of Director Thomas Anthony's article describing the Secret Language of Threat and Error Management published in AeroSafety world. This article was written by Thomas Anthony in collaboration with instructor Christopher Nutter providing medical expertise.

Another article recently published, and highlighted on the USC Aviation Safety & Security Program main page, was entitled SMS on Wheels and describes the developing nature of Safety Management Systems and how exactly the culture of safety relies on three, very specific factors.

Lastly, an article previously published by Director Thomas Anthony has gained notoriety in the safety community recently in describing the very problems that Air Traffic Controllers face in their on going battle with fatigue. You can find Thomas Anthony's prescient article Air Traffic Control Fatigue Factor's and Failings published in the AeroSafety World Magazine.