Flight Test Safety Committee

The Flight Test Safety Committee (FTSC) was formed jointly in November 1994 by members of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). These and numerous additional organizations presently comprise the FTSC. The purpose of the FTSC is to initiate and sustain a flight test related safety organization intended to promote flight safety, reduce the risk of mishap, promote risk reduction management and continually improve the profession's communication and coordination.
About FTSC

Mark Skoog Award Citation

Mark Skoog Award Citation

BronzeLeVier_Gentex

 

Mark has led the effort to continue to advance the capability and accessibility of Auto GCAS technology.  He has made numerous design contributions, significantly improving digital terrain data understanding, fidelity and data handling methods. Additionally, he led software development improvements significantly reducing verification times.  His most recent improvements to the technology have adapted it to civil and unmanned aircraft as well as broadening the scope of the technology to address many more flight safety issues such as staying within approved airspace boundaries, avoiding other aircraft.  Over the course of Mark’s career he has led 2 different flight test programs on this collision avoidance technology. Many of these programs required hazardous testing for which he developed test techniques and tools which remain the standard for this type testing today. I was shown a copy of a letter yesterday from a F-16 pilot, in the letter he said that the Auto GCAS saved his life and he hoped to have the opportunity to someday shake the hands of the men and women who developed it.  Mark’s work has saved lives and makes him truly deserving of the recognition afforded by this award.