Instructor: Bob Waltz, Ph.D., FRAeS
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Biography: Captain Bob Waltz has been an aviation operational and training professional for 36 years. Bob completed his doctoral dissertation at the University of North Dakota in Safety Management Systems. Bob's mission is the promotion of systematic risk mitigation in the prevention of accidents or incidents in high-reliability organizations. Bob is an Adjunct Professor at Embry Riddle University (ERAU), and a guest lecturer at the University of North Texas, and the University of North Dakota. Bob consults on safety management systems in a variety of settings, including the Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety at ERAU. Bob is a Fellow, Royal Aeronautical Society, and a proponent of equity of educational opportunities for all. Bob has a deep background in aviation, operations, and military service. As a 24-year employee of a major U.S. airline (SWA), Bob has held a variety of leadership positions. Most recently Bob served as Vice President of Flight Operations, where his primary responsibility was serving nearly 10,500 Flight Ops Employees. He provided Leadership and support to Flight Ops, including 11 bases, Crew Planning, Scheduling, Payroll, numerous Headquarters technical and support functions, and the carrier's world-class Pilot Training Center. Bob's passion for service also took shape in his roles as Operations Council Chair for Airlines for America, as a Check Pilot, and as a Military Committee member for the carrier's union. Bob previously served as his carrier's Part 119 Chief Pilot and Senior Director Flight Ops Compliance, Operations and Procedures, Network Operations Control (NOC) Network Director, and as a Chief Pilot, NOC. Bob retired from the Air Force Reserve in 2016 (after 30 years of service) as a Regional Reserve Director for FEMA Region IV, Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer to the State of Texas, and Chief of the ALO Support Division. Bob also served as a Standards / Evaluator Pilot in the US Air Force and the Air National Guard. Bob has flown over 16,500 hours in a wide variety of aircraft: T-37, T-38, T-1, C-21, and the C-130 E & H. Bob flew combat and combat support missions in the Middle East and the Balkans (Operations Southern Watch, Joint Forge, Joint Endeavor, and Joint Guardian). Bob is type rated in the Boeing 737-200/300/500/700/800 and MAX-8. Bob holds a BS in Human Factors Engineering from the US Air Force Academy, an MS in Educational Psychology from Florida State, and a Ph.D. in Aeronautical Science at the University of North Dakota.
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