Why Does NTSB Conduct International Activities (Continued)

• Maintain preeminence among colleagues

• Maintain currency with newest advances

• Build rapport and confidence with other states before a major event occurs

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There are additional reasons for our international activities. Safety Board investigators work to maintain preeminence among colleagues. Investigators have a unique opportunity in the course of their work to gain insight into very specialized areas. Some examples are: the behavior of fatigue cracks in airplane structure, or the sound spectrum of jet engine operations on airplane cockpit voice recorders, or the comparison of flight crew performance during rejected takeoffs with Captain flying versus First Officer flying. With this type of “real world “ exposure, the expertise of Safety Board investigators is recognized and they are in high demand as speakers and mentors at forums with our contemporaries.

Safety Board investigators work to maintain currency with the newest advances. The aviation industry thrives on change and competitive improvements. There are myriad industry and academic developments coming on line every week, and many of these changes come from international sources. For example: Englishman James Reason’s research in human factors, French Airbus computer flight path control, Australian experience with ab-inisue flight training, and recent Brazilian and Canadian new airplane entries in the regional jet market. Safety Board investigators need to be out-and-about among their peers to stay abreast of these developments.

The Safety Board works to build rapport and confidence with other states before a major event occurs. Having personal contact with knowledgeable officials before an accident has been a major factor in attaining full participation in foreign investigations from the moment of notification. Examples; EGYPT-EqyptAir, we knew some of the officials from a previous Cairo seminar, COLOMBIA-American Airlines at Cali, we knew some of the officials from a previous Avianca accident, MEXICO-departure point interviews for AlaskaAir at Puerto Vallarta, again we knew some of the officials from a previous TAESA accident, FRANCE- we conducted recent industry training here in Washington with Airbus Industries ATR company and Bureau Enqettes Accident or BEA, the French air accidents investigation agency to build rapport.