Randy Stewart

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Randy was raised in an  aviation family.  His father was an aircraft mechanic in WWII and his  mother was a “Rosie the Riveter” at the Georgia Air Depot (Warner Robins  Air Force Base).  His father went on to work for Pioneer Airlines as an  aircraft mechanic after the war and after his death in 1955, Randy’s  mother went to work for American Airlines and retired in 1986 after 30  years of service.  Randy started his aircraft maintenance training in  high school, then volunteered to serve in the US Army to serve his country and complete his aviation education.  He  was an aircraft mechanic (Crew Chief on UH-1 B and D models) and  never forgot what it was like to be in the back seat relying on the  skills and professional judgement of the pilots upfront.  He re-enlisted  in 1969 and became a Rated Aircraft Maintenance Technician (pilot) in  the army and after two tours in Vietnam and nearly seven years of  military service resigned to pursue a career in the civil industry as an  aircraft mechanic and helicopter pilot.

In his 19 years of civil  aviation he obtained 9,875 flight hours as pilot-in-command conducting  on-demand charter, air tours, flight instruction, initial  attack/firefighting operations, helicopter Class B and C vertical  reference external load operations, transmission power line patrol and  construction, domestic portable oil exploration (seismic) operations,  timber harvesting, search and rescue, aerial photo and survey operations  with the majority of these operations conducted in mountainous terrain  and high altitude operations in Alaska and Western US.  During this time  he performed duties as a mechanic supporting field operations and in  shops conducting repairs/overhauls, line pilot, Chief Pilot (Part 133  and 135 operations), Director of Operations for commercial operations  conducted under Part 135 and as an owner operator of small helicopter  company conducting Part 91, 133 and 135 commercial operations. 

In  1992 he returned to Federal service as a helicopter pilot for Western  Area Power Administration and two years later, promoted to Aviation  Maintenance Policy Officer for the US Department of Energy (DOE).  In  1995, again his commercial business and aviation expertise and  leadership were rewarded with a promotion to Aviation Safety Inspector,  and eventually to Aviation Policy Officer. DOE created the Office of  Aviation Management (OAM) in 1999.  He played a critical role in the  development and implementation of this office, charged with ensuring  safety, security, efficiency and effectiveness of DOE aviation  programs.  His colleagues have said, 'Randy Stewart is the  individual who is responsible for developing the OAM policies,  procedures, and processes.  The impacts of his accomplishments are  extensive and it is because of Mr. Stewart's efforts that DOE  essentially 'set the bar’ for other Federal Agencies’ aviation programs'.  In  January of 2009 he joined Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) as the  Manager of Aircraft Services and accomplished far-reaching goals in  improving that organization.  Among many other accomplishments, he  achieved a 99% reduction in DOE aviation program audit findings and  brought Aircraft Services into full compliance with GSA, DOE, BPA and  FAA Part 133 and 135 requirements.  His colleagues said, ‘The  undertaking has been substantial, but not compared to his leadership,  tenacity and the integrity with which he performed his job.  The  commitment he demonstrated to improving safety protocols and increasing  efficiencies has been invaluable to BPA's aviation program. Both BPA and  DOE have benefited from  his leadership and skill and his reputation  for a commitment to excellence and dedication to seeing improvements  through to implementation is well-deserved.’

He holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating Rotorcraft, Commercial pilot rating in Rotorcraft with a Helicopter Instrument rating, has held a Certified Flight Instructor rating - Rotorcraft, and holds Airframe and Power Plant Certificates and for many years held an Inspector Authorization.   In addition to his flight and maintenance experience he went on to  continue his formal education and gained working experience in safety  management, training program development, quality assurance, and  aircraft accident and incident investigation .

Accreditations  and Other Certificates:  Randy has earned certifications by the  Department of Energy and National Transportation Safety Board in  Accident Investigation, Aircraft Accident Investigation, and Helicopter  Accident Investigation.   He holds a Certified Quality Auditor accreditation by the American Society for Quality and Certificate of Completion AS 9100C Lead Auditor.  He was previously accredited by IBAC as an IS-BAO Auditor for Helicopter Operations and Maintenance and  HAI-APS Auditor Operations and Maintenance, 

Major accomplishments:

• Provided  the leadership, using the principles of integrated safety management,  and his technical expertise developed DOE’s aviation management, safety,  operations, and security policies, requirements, and procedures.  The  DOE policies included compliance with the FAA civil airworthiness,  maintenance, training and operations regulations, resulting in a 99.7 percent reduction in fatal aircraft accidents and 87 percent reduction  in aircraft accidents. Providing the safest period of DOE contracted and  in-house aircraft operations in the 62 year history of the DOE.
  

• Provided the leadership and technical guidance for development of DOE’s aviation quality assurance and oversight program.
  
  • Developed the DOE's Office of Aviation Management  protocols for conducting audits, reporting procedures and tracking of  corrective actions.
                     
  •  Conducted Quality assurance  safety audits- lead auditor and/or participant in 350 plus civil and  government aircraft operations (foreign and domestic) resulting in a 99.7percent compliance to regulations, safety policies and procedures for contract and in-house operations.
                      
  •  Participant or lead investigator for 3 fatal  aviation accidents; 2 non-fatal aviation accidents; and 5 aircraft  incidents leading to corrective actions to prevent accidents and incidents.
    

• Chaired,  Joint Airworthiness Operations Task Force (JAOTF), Interagency  Committee for Aviation Policy (ICAP), from 1995 to 1998, resulting in  development of Federal Flight Safety Standard guidelines adopted by 18  Federal agencies following 1995 revision of law.
  •  Provided the leadership and technical guidance for a  Maintenance Review Board (MRB) leading to the development of FAA  approved maintenance and inspection  programs for UH-1 series, OH-58 series and OH-6 military surplus  aircraft.
    

• Developed  and implemented the first Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operations,  safety and airworthiness guidance and policies for a Federal agency,  outside of the Department of Defense.
  •  Developed Aviation Safety Reviews (risk assessments)  to identify administrative and engineering controls to manage the risk  in UAS operations.
    
  •   Researched, verified and  documented the minimum airworthiness standards for UAS over 500 pounds,  that contributed to the development of the DoD "Airworthiness Certification Criteria"(MIL-HDBK-516) Handbook.
    
  • Led the development of multiple Certificate of Authorizations submitted to the FAA for UAS operations.
    

• Co-Chair/Chair  of the Helicopter Association International's (HAI) Utilities, Patrol  and Construction Committee (UPAC) leading the effort to revise and  establish new guidance on the operations, maintenance and safety for  aircraft operators working in the construction and utility industry.

• Chair,  Helicopter Association International's (HAI) Restricted Category  Aircraft Committee (RCAC) building on the work started by Sam Brodie  (deceased) which led to the development of FAA regulatory guidance  (Advisory Circular) for certification and maintenance of surplus  military aircraft.