Air Traffic Control Expert Witnesses

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

Douglas Moss (BS Engr, MS Engr, MBA) is a trained and experienced professional pilot and engineer. He conducts research and testifies on aircraft accidents and airport land-use issues such as thermal plumes, birdstrike hazards, and FAR Part 77 obstructions. His aviation experience spans over 30 years as an engineer and pilot, including assignments as a USAF fighter pilot, USAF test pilot, McDonnell Douglas test pilot, airline pilot, and general aviation pilot. His academic education includes both bachelor and master degrees in engineering, with additional advanced degrees in business and law. He has also been a faculty instructor at the USAF Test Pilot School, teaching aircraft certification, flying qualities, performance, systems, and human factors. He currently is an instructor of Human Factors at the University of Southern California.

His analysis of Aviation Accidents and issues typically involve the following considerations:

• Engineering and scientific basis
• Operational factors
• Human factors
• Aircraft certification compliance (14 CFR Parts 21 and 25)
• FAR statutory compliance (14 CFR Parts 91, 121 and 135)
• Strict products liability
• Aircrew standard of care

Experience Includes:

• Over 10,000 flight hours
• Human Factors faculty instructor
• USAF experimental test pilot
• McDonnell Douglas engineering test pilot
• USAF Test Pilot School instructor
• Airline pilot
• ATP Typed DC-9, MD-80, MD-90, MD-11, A320 and Flight Engineer
• Qualified in Cessna, Piper and Beechcraft Bonanza and Baron