About us
Chief Consultant Richard Van Keuren.
45 Years Aviation Industry experience.
Richard Van Keuren has a masters degree in Electrical Engineering and has spent over 45 years in the aviation industry.
Richard’s aviation career includes 25 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve where he was a C-130 Pilot and Instructor Pilot, he also completed training through the University of Southern California for Flight Safety program management and accident investigation. Richard supported launch platform acquisitions and space flight readiness reviews at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
In addition to his time in the Air Force Richard worked for the Federal Aviation Administration as an Aviation Safety Inspector. During his 28 years with the FAA Richard worked in both FAA Field offices and FAA Headquarters. He as held the following positions with notable accomplishments:
- USAirways Filed Office – Supported the initial acquisition of the Airbus A-320 Aircraft, Type Ratings – A-320, B-737, L-382
- United Airlines Field Office – A-320 APM, APOI (Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) Program Manager), Principal Operations Inspector (POI). Management of APDs, Check Airmen as well as Certificate Management and operations oversight.
- America West Field Office – FAA Executive Development Program, Principal Operations Inspector, ETOPS Certification, USAirways Merger and consolidation.
- Air Carrier Training and Voluntary Programs Branch (AFS-280) FAA Headquarters – Oversight and Management of Advanced Qualification Programs (Pilot, Flight Attendant, Dispatcher) and Voluntary Safety Programs for multiple Major Airlines including: United Airlines, American Airlines, Envoy, Continental Airlines, Southwest Airlines, USAirways and Skywest Airlines. Richard was directly involved with FAA policy and training program development for Voluntary Safety Programs (ASAP, FOQA, AQP and VDRP) and supported the AQP training program integration for the American Airlines and USAirways merger.
- FAA Designee Program Branch (AFS-650) FAA Headquarters – Subject Matter Expert and National Resource for Aircrew Program Designee (APD) policy and program implementation. Responsible for the National Policy for APD programs, implementation and oversight. Richard developed training and taught FAA inspectors to accomplish Designee oversight. Richard supported the development of the Designee Management System (DMS) and he developed the initial draft policy for the groundbreaking AC ODA (Airman Certification ODA).
- FAA AVS ODA Office (AVS-60) FAA Headquarters – Richard was one of the initial cadre of the congressionally mandated ODA Office. Richard established the office goals and developed initial processes and metrics to ensure compliance with the congressional mandate. As the initial member of the ODA Office Data and Assessments section Richard managed and advanced the ODA Scorecard Metric program providing input to FAA executive management and congressional briefings.
- Richard completed the inaugural FAA Data Scientist training provided by Cornell University.
- Richard was involved with the development of multiple FAA systems to include the Safety Assurance System (SAS), Designee Management System (DMS), Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS), AVS ODA Scorecard and the Air Transportation Oversight System (ATOS). He has developed policy in multiple policy documents including Order 8900.1 and Order 8100.15 as well as multiple FAA Advisory Circulars, Notices and supporting documents.
Richard’s industry experience includes the following:
- Senior Engineer – McDonnell Douglas Aircraft, F-15E program System Safety, Nuclear weapons certification.
- Moser Aviation (CFR Part 135 Operator) Manager of Pilot and Flight Records, Drug Program Employee Representative (DER)
- Key Lime Airline (Part 135 / Part 121 Operator) Airline Documents and Policy Coordinator. Management of all airline policy, FAA document coordination and approval.