Curriculum Vitae
Kurt Reesman, Ph.D.
Aviation Human Factors Expert Witness · Pilot Performance · Pilot Training and Standard of Care · Flight Operations Safety
Qualifications Summary
Current practice. Boeing 737 flight crew training instructor and Flight Operations human factors subject matter expert at a major U.S. airline. My opinions are grounded in present-day practice, not recollection.
Pilot-training authority. Designer of the FAA-mandated Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP), authoring twelve of its eighteen ground-school courses. Sixteen years a USAF instructor and evaluator pilot (T-37, F-15E/S). Twelve years a Part 141 university flight instructor, stage-check, and spin pilot. Fifteen years a university aviation professor and lecturer at Liberty, Auburn, and Middle Tennessee State.
Safety education and reach. AOPA Air Safety Institute national presenter and instructor: 120 safety seminars to nearly 18,880 attendees, and 61 Flight Instructor Refresher Courses producing 2,548 instructor renewals.
Standards and rulemaking. Industry member of the FAA Human Factors Task Force Aviation Rulemaking Committee and of the FAA Airman Certification Standards initiative (PTS to ACS). FAA Pilot Examiner (Administrative) and Airman Certification Representative, Part 141.
Credentials. Ph.D. Airline Transport Pilot with a Boeing 737 type rating. CFI (ASEL, AMEL, Instrument). Fellow, Royal Aeronautical Society. No FAA certificate actions.
Current Roles
Founder & Principal, Aviation Human Factors Consultant
Kurt Reesman Consulting, LLC · 2012 to present
Aviation human factors and pilot-training consulting: curriculum development, instruction, and advisory work, including engagements with the AOPA Air Safety Institute. Now provides expert witness services to plaintiff and defense counsel, including case review, human factors and training analysis, and standard-of-care assessment.
Flight Crew Training Instructor & Flight Operations Human Factors SME
A major U.S. airline, Boeing 737 · 2024 to present
Trains flight crews, including new-hire first officers and captain upgrades, in the classroom and simulator under the FARs, the Advanced Qualification Program Manual, and the Flight Operations Training Manual. In the Flight Operations Human Factors group, conducts literature reviews and research supporting human factors proposals, advises multiple safety groups on operational initiatives, and leads extended-reality (XR) training-technology research.
Selected Professional Experience
Lecturer & Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, School of Aviation
Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama · 2017 to 2023
Created and taught Human Factors in Aviation, Commercial Aviation Safety, and related courses. Co-Principal Investigator on FAA grant HF0015 on training and checking methods for the emerging pilot workforce, covering information management, decision-making, and command judgment. Helped lead safety, compliance, and instructor supervision of a Part 141 program. FAA Administrative Pilot Examiner and Airman Certification Representative.
Curriculum Development & Program Manager (Contractor)
Aerosim Technologies / L3, Burnsville, Minnesota · 2014 to 2017
Program Manager and lead developer for the FAA-mandated ATP-CTP course, authoring twelve of its eighteen ground-school courses. Developed and gained FAA approval of the A-320 type-rating curriculum and the Part 142 quality-assurance program.
Lecturer, Professional Pilot Concentration
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee · 2016 to 2017
Collaborated with Professional Pilot faculty to increase productivity in student training and the efficient, effective use of existing resources.
Quality Assurance SME & Instructor (Contractor)
Convergent Performance, Colorado Springs, Colorado · 2015 to 2016
Quality-assurance SME for United Airlines' Leadership, Excellence and Professionalism (LEaP) training program. Presenter at the Textron Aviation Customer Conference.
National Safety Presenter & FIRC Instructor (Contractor)
AOPA Air Safety Institute, Frederick, Maryland · 2008 to 2016
Delivered 120 safety seminars to nearly 18,880 attendees and 61 Flight Instructor Refresher Courses producing 2,548 instructor renewals nationwide. Authored FIRC lessons and test items.
Associate / Assistant Professor of Aviation & Flight Instructor
Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia · 2005 to 2013
Taught Aerospace Law, Human Factors, Aeronautical Decision Making, Airplane Aerodynamics, and Flight Instructor Ground School, among others. Flight and spin instructor for all FAA certificates and ratings.
USAF Instructor / Evaluator Pilot (T-37, F-15E)
United States Air Force · 1989 to 2005
Flight, simulator, and classroom Instructor and Evaluator for pilots and weapon systems officers, from initial pilot training through combat-ready and instructor-upgrade qualification. Chief of Standardization for two training squadrons.
F-15S Instructor / Evaluator Pilot
Royal Saudi Air Force, King Khalid Air Base, Saudi Arabia · 2000 to 2001
Instructed and evaluated Royal Saudi Air Force F-15S aircrew. Authored five training syllabi and manuals and advised squadron and wing leadership on combat readiness.
Education
Ph.D., Adult Education (2022)
Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Dissertation: Training the Emerging Pilot Workforce: Does Generation and Gender Influence Curriculum Design?
Master of Aeronautical Science, Aviation Operations (1994)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
B.A., Psychology & Religious Studies, double major (1982)
Western Kentucky University
Professional Military Education
- Middle East Orientation Course (MEOC), in residence, Hurlburt Field, Florida (2000)
- Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), by seminar, Maxwell AFB, Alabama (1997)
- Arctic Survival School, in residence, Eielson AFB, Alaska (1995)
- Squadron Officers School (SOS), in residence, Maxwell AFB, Alabama (1992)
- Combat Survival Training, in residence, Fairchild AFB, Washington (1986)
- Water Survival School, in residence, Patrick AFB, Florida (1985)
Flight Experience
Total Flight Time
3,887 hrs
Pilot-in-Command
3,625 hrs
Flight Instruction
2,078 hrs
Evaluator
174 hrs
Aircraft flown and taught:
T-37, T-38, RF-4C, and F-15E with the USAF, the F-15S with the Royal Saudi Air Force, the Boeing 737 in airline training, and a range of general aviation aircraft. Command flying is in military and Part 141 university programs.
FAA Certificates & Ratings
FAA Rulemaking & Committee Service
- Industry Member, FAA Human Factors Task Force Aviation Rulemaking Committee
- Industry Member, FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC), Airman Testing Standards and Training Working Group. Contributed to the Private, Instrument, and Commercial Pilot Airman Certification Standards during the PTS to ACS transition.
Selected Publications & Professional Writing
- Birdsong, J., & Reesman, K. L. (2024). Training methods research opportunities for a pilot workforce in transition: A literature review. Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research, 33(2).
- Birdsong, J., & Reesman, K. (2023). Effective training and checking methods for a pilot workforce in transition. Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research [accepted].
- Birdsong, J., & Reesman, K. (2023). Business aviation days: Mentorship and partnership. Collegiate Aviation Review International, 41(2), 193 to 201.
- Reesman, K., & Birdsong, J. (2023). Do different learning style inventories report similar findings among pilots? Collegiate Aviation Review International, 41(1), 148 to 179.
- Birdsong, J., Reesman, K., Sefton, J., Miller, M., & Witte, J. (2023). Effective training and checking methods for the emerging pilot workforce (Final Report, FAA-sponsored grant). [publication pending]
- Birdsong, J., Reesman, K., Sefton, J., & Miller, M. (2023). Efficacy of using virtual reality to support the training of the emerging pilot workforce. International Symposium on Aviation Psychology (ISAP).
Author of professional articles on aviation human factors, including pilot monitoring, fatigue, risk management, aeronautical decision-making, and professionalism. A full publication, presentation, and writing list is available on request.
Professional Affiliations & Honors
- Fellow, Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS)
- Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society
- Reviewer, Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research (JAAER)
Litigation & Consulting Services
Available for retention as a consulting (non-testifying) or testifying expert: case review, human factors and training analysis, standard-of-care assessment, report preparation, and deposition and trial testimony, for both plaintiff and defense counsel. Fees are for professional time and are not contingent on the outcome or the substance of any opinion. A Rule 26(a)(2)(B) testimony list, fee schedule, and references are furnished on request.
Full CV available for download.
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