McChord hosts first Joint Skies Seminar

  • Published
  • By Airman Leah Young
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing flight safety office, in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration, hosted the first Joint Skies Seminar Sept. 9. The aviation experts teamed during the seminar to share information and resources in an effort to ensure airspace.

"The Northwest has been a leader in aviation for many years, and this seminar will put the 62nd Airlift Wing at the forefront of aviation safety," said Capt. Zachary Dorman, 62nd AW flight safety officer and Joint Skies Seminar lead organizer.

The Joint Skies Seminar was the first of its kind nationwide, bridging the information gap between civilian and military flying. The program will help establish a new link to aviation programs, information and ideas across the region.

There are two main parts of aviation safety: reactive and preventative. This seminar will help use all available resources to better define the preventative half and remedy solutions to aviation safety issues in the region Captain Dorman said.

"Hopefully, it will soon become benchmarked for aviation safety across the nation," he said.

The Joint Skies Seminar consisted of more than 50 guests, including members from all branches of the armed forces, representatives from the FAA, National Transportation Safety Board, airfield managers, wildlife biologists, tower operators, safety inspectors, aviation safety consultants, civilian pilots, maintainers and aviation enthusiasts.

"This was an excellent way to bring attention to certain issues," said Dr. Jean Mpouli, an FAA program manager. "We can now begin to establish a free flow of information between military and civilian pilots."

The seminar also helped establish the first regional database of wildlife migration patterns in the country. Biologists from Portland, Ore., McChord Field, Olympia, Seattle-Tacoma Airport and Whidbey Island, all located in Wash., are now collecting and consolidating wildlife data. This will not only provide a large data source to find trends, but will also be used for prediction purposes.

"This was a great way to start this program," said Matt Klope, bird/animal air strike hazard specialist. "It shows the military is reaching out and really making an effort to get a plan established. It's great."

The 62nd AW plans on hosting the seminar every year, captain Dorman said.

"The best part about this program is that it will be able to grow," Captain Dorman said. "We've already had a few offers to host the next one. We started this program, and now it can be utilized across the country and adapted by organizations to improve aviation safety everywhere."