PRESIDENT'S BIO

Company President Robert Baron, Ph.D

Picture on right- Dr. Baron making a human factors presentation at NASA

Areas of Specialization

Human Factors

SMS (Safety Management Systems)

Error/Event Investigation

Risk Management/Analysis

Human Error Mitigation/Reduction Strategies

Judgment/Decision Making

CRM (Crew Resource Management)

Flight Operations

Group/Team Dynamics

Organizational Factors

Workplace Testing and Assessment (including safety culture and safety climate assessment)

Communication Processes

Training

Accident Investigation/Analysis

Crew Performance

Records

Regulations

Certification

Corporate/Business Aviation Operations

Part 135 Operations

Some of Dr. Baron's Recent Projects

Recently launched "Project Africa," a collaborative effort to improve Africa's aviation system. This will be a long-term project conducted on a multinational basis.   

Recently completed doctoral dissertation entitled, "Measuring Safety Climate at an Aircraft Maintenance Facility: Can Training Change Attitudes?" 

Recently accepted a position as a consulting editor for the International Journal of Applied Aviation Studies. This position involves the peer reviewing of manuscripts for IJAAS, a twice yearly publication of the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK.

Recently developed and implemented Cessna Aircraft's entire human factors training program for 2300+ employees. This was a 6 month project that was conducted on a highly collaborative basis. It included development of customized training media, train-the-trainer courses, and assessment methods. Mr. Baron received excellent feedback on this major project and Cessna Aircraft now has a self-sustaining HF program for its entire organization.

Recently presented 'Current trends in Aviation Human Factors' at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. This presentation was part of NASA's 'Safety Days: Safety is Personal' program. The presentation focused on the history of human factors, where we are today, and where we are heading in the future.

Recently Presented 'Understanding Human Factors in High-Risk Industries' at Wood Group Power Operation's Annual Health and Safety Conference in Alpharetta, GA. This presentation addressed some of the major human factors that are part of high-risk industries. Examples from aviation and the energy sector were synthesized to create an awareness of the factors that lead to human error and accidents.   

Practical Experience

Robert Baron is the President and Chief Consultant of The Aviation Consulting Group. Dr. Baron has over 20 years of experience in the aviation industry and has worked in many facets of aviation including owner/operator of a Part 135 charter business and a flight school. He has thousands of hours of flight time as a corporate captain on Learjets and Citations and has taught the Learjet as a simulator and ground instructor at some of the most recognized Part 142 training academies in the country. In addition to teaching the Learjet, Dr. Baron has served as a Learjet check airman for a Part 135 charter company. He also holds a Flight Engineer Turbojet rating.

As a consultant, Dr. Baron has assisted a multitude of aviation organizations in the development of their Human Factors, SMS, and CRM training programs. His clients include some of the largest airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and defense contractors in the United States and around the world. He also has experience assisting companies in obtaining the coveted Part 135 certification as well as providing aviation expert witness testimony and research for law firms around the country. On a recurring basis, Dr. Baron is requested to make aviation safety presentations for various organizations worldwide.    

Academic Experience

Dr. Baron's academic achievements are a true reflection of his dedication and commitment to aviation safety:

Ph.D- Industrial/Organizational Psychology (emphasis on organizational psychology in aviation). Dissertation topic: Measuring Safety Climate at an Aircraft Maintenance Facility: Can Training Change Attitudes? 

M.S. Degree- Aeronautical Science (dual specializations in Aviation/Aerospace Safety and Human Factors)

B.S. Degree- Professional Aeronautics (Minor in Aviation Safety)

Dr. Baron is an adjunct university professor/thesis committee member at Everglades University in Boca Raton, Florida and teaches courses on:

Aviation Physiology

Aviation Psychology

Crew Resource Management

Aviation Safety

Aviation Human Factors

Corporate Aviation Operations

Research Methods

Dr. Baron offers, on a limited basis, Thesis and Dissertation consulting/coaching services to college and university students. This includes help with topic selection, problem statement, research question(s), hypotheses, literature review, methodology, statistical procedures, data analysis, APA formatting, and proofing. If you are a college student interested in assistance with your Thesis or Dissertation you can contact Dr. Baron by clicking here. Note: this is a fee-based service.   

Papers and Presentations

Dr. Baron has written and spoken extensively on aviation safety issues to include the following papers and presentations:

Note: Many of these papers and presentations can be viewed by clicking here.

Measuring Safety Climate at an Aircraft Maintenance Facility: Can Training Change Attitudes? Doctoral dissertation completed July, 2008.

Transformational Leadership in Aviation Operations

What the Media Should Know About Aircraft Accidents

SOS for Your SMS: A Brief Look at Airport Safety Management Systems

The Challenges of an Error Reporting System. Appeared in the March-April, 2008 issue of Aviation Maintenance Technology Magazine.

Is the Climate Right for a Major Air Disaster?

Understanding Human Factors in High-Risk Industries. Presented at Wood Group Power Operation's Annual Health and Safety Conference on September 26, 2007, Alpharetta, GA.

Current Trends in Aviation Human Factors. Presented at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center on January 23, 2007, Edwards Air Force Base, CA.

Aircraft Accident Investigations: Have we Lost Touch With the Behavioral Approach? Appeared in the April-June, 2007 issue of ISASI Forum, the journal of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators.

Cockpit Discipline: Violating the Sterile Cockpit Rule and Ignoring other Standard Operating Procedures can Lead to Tragedy. Appeared in the December, 2007 issue of AeroSafety World, a publication of the Flight Safety Foundation.

Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance: A Look at the Fundamental Concepts

Understanding the Role of Safety Culture in the Aviation Environment

Why are Routine Flight Operations Killing Pilots and Their Passengers? Presented at the Human Performance, Situation Awareness, and Automation Conference (HPSAA), March 24, 2004, Daytona Beach, FL.

Drinking and Flying: The Effects of Blood Alcohol Levels on a Pilot's Cognitive and Motor Functioning Skills

Pilots and Memory: A Study of a Fallible Human System

Safety Culture and Profit: Aviation's Continuing Organizational Dilemma

Monovision Contact Lens use and the Crash of Delta Airlines Flight 554 at LaGuardia Airport, October 1996

Why On-Demand Jet Charter Needs CRM...Now!

Conflict in the Cockpit: Can't we all Just get Along?

A Review of the Literature Pertaining to Decision Making in Aviation. Presented at the State Bar of Georgia (Aviation Law Section) Meeting on January 06, 2006, Atlanta, GA.

CRM From the Instructor/Facilitator Viewpoint: Observations we can all Learn From

The Cockpit, the Cabin, and Social Psychology

Barriers to Effective Communication: Implications for the Cockpit

Runway Incursions: Where are we?

Aviation Training: Methods and Anecdotes to Help Understand how we Learn

Human Performance Limitations in Medicine: A Cognitive Focus

Psychology of the Cockpit: The Pros and Cons of the MMPI in Pre-Employment Screening

Media Consultant/Correspondent

Dr. Baron also provides factual information to the media. The following is a brief list of newspapers, television networks, magazines, and aviation websites that have either consulted with Dr. Baron on safety issues or have posted his papers to their site:

Court TV

New York Times

Associated Press

Bloomberg  News

Business and Commercial Aviation

Time Magazine

Air Safety Week

South Florida Sun Sentinel

Baltimore Sun

Winnipeg Free Press

Dallas Morning News

National Post (Canada)

Real Simple Magazine

Aviation International News

Tokyo Broadcasting System

British Broadcasting Corporation

Dougal Watson's Aerospace Medicine

Landings.com

AvWeb.com

AirlineSafety.com

IFlyAmerica.com

ExpertLaw.com

Gofir.com

Professional Speaking Engagements

Dr. Baron is available to speak about aviation safety and human factors issues in a wide variety of venues. If you would like more information about arranging a speaking engagement or presentation, please contact Dr. Baron.

Professional Affiliations

Dr. Baron's professional affiliations include the following:

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (Technical Groups: Aerospace Systems, Cognitive Engineering and Decision Making, Perception and Performance).

Flight Safety Foundation

American Psychological Association

Association for Aviation Psychology

Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology (Division 21, APA)

Society for Personality and Social Psychology (Division 8, APA)

Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology (Division 6, APA)

International Society of Air Safety Investigators

South Carolina Aviation Association