Argos Engineering's principal, Dr. John Pratt, has earned 32 United States patents during his 36-year career in the Aerospace Fastener and Latching Mechanism business. He has served as Chairman of several domestic and international committees dealing with aerospace hardware and design allowables. During this time he has led the development of many aerospace systems, including the terrorist-proof cockpit door decompression latches used on half of the world's fleet of commercial transport aircraft. Other successes include the Composi-Lok I and II and Visu-Lok II blind bolts, and cylindrical-body Wedge Lock product lines.

As Chairman of the Industrial Fasteners Institute Technical Committee for Aerospace Fasteners, Dr. Pratt helped lead efforts to draft FAA-TSO-C148, and subsequently received the first FAA approvals under that regulation. Dr. Pratt also served as International Chairman of ISO / TC20 / SC4 / WG8, the organization for standardization of aerospace rivets, blind fasteners, lockbolts, and threaded pin-collar fasteners (i.e., Hi-Lites). In this capacity many of today's standards for metric aerospace fasteners were established.

Dr. Pratt's expert experience includes testimony in several patent infringement and products liability suits, as well as extended testimony before the Federal Trade Commission.

Areas of Expertise

Fasteners

Latches

Decompression Mechanisms

Aircraft (and other vehicle) Structural Analysis

Aircraft Explosive / Rapid Decompression

Wind Loading on Buildings

Products Liability

Patent Infringement

Services Provided:

Litigation Consulting

Deposition and Trial Testimony

Inspections

Testing

Structural Analysis

New Product Development

Mr. Larry Grandy has over thirty-six years of progressive experience and knowledge in Aviation Operations, holding numerous civilian and military ratings and designations. Career Officer and Squadron Commander, United States Marine Corps. Currently serving as FAA Check Airman, Flight Instructor and Pilot in Command for a large Aeromedical Helicopter Company. Eleven years of Helicopter Accident Investigation, Research and Analysis, including military and civilian Mishaps. Expert witness testimony and consulting provided to defense and plaintiff attorneys. Excellent attorney references.

Richard "Pete" Burgess provides service as an Aviaton Consultant for air traffic services, procedures, pilot experience and aircraft accident investigations. Mr. Burgess has been the Owner of Burgess Aviation Consultants since 1994 and specializes in the analysis of FAA Air Traffic Control service and the application of procedures in the following areas:

Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC's)

Airport Traffic Control Towers (ATCT's)

Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities (TRACON's)

Automated Flight Service Stations (AFSS's)

Flight Path Reconstruction and Graphic Preparation of Accident/Incident Aircraft

Detailed Transcript Preparation of Air Traffic Recordings

As President of BGS Aviation, Inc., aircraft rental and flight instruction, Mr. Burgess is an Instrument-Rated Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor for Multi/Single Engine airplane. He has over 2900 hours of flight time.

EXPERIENCE

1972 to 1994 Air Traffic Control Supervisory and Management - FAA

Managed and supervised the National evaluations of over 160 FAA air traffic ARTCC's, ATCT's, TRACON's and AFSS's facilities in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama

Qualified on all positions of operation and actively controlled traffic as supervisor and manager at El Paso and Little Rock ATC Tower and radar approach control facilities

Served as consultant and expert witness in trials involving aircraft accidents and enforcement actions in St. Louis, Kansas City and Little Rock

Investigated the application and effectiveness of air traffic control procedures at Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles and Kansas City Airports, as a result of major accidents at those airports

1957 to 1972 Air Traffic Controller - FAA & U.S. Navy

Air Traffic Terminal Controller at NAS Saufley Field, Pensacola, FL and NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the U.S. Navy, and Santa Fe, NM in the FAA

Flight Service Specialist in El Paso, TX. Santa Fe, NM and Lubbock, TX

Air Traffic Tower and Radar Approach Controller in Lubbock, TX and San Antonio, TX