Raymond A. Syms

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Raymond A. Syms provides aviation consulting and expert services based on over 40 years of aviation experience encompassing Military, Corporate, Commercial, Airline and Government operations. Management of helicopter and airplane operations, airport and heliport master planning and design, certification and construction, accident prevention, investigation and expert witness services have been performed for a large variety of organizations. Aviation qualifications include over 10,000 flying hours in both rotary and fixed-wing with multi-engine and turbine engine aircraft ratings. Those ratings are: Airline Transport Pilot (both rotary and fixed-wing); BH206 SK76; Flight Instructor in Airplanes, Helicopters and Instruments; and FAA Part 135 Chief Pilot and Instructor Pilot.

General:

Raymond A. Syms has planned, developed, operated and/or evaluated numerous aeronautical facilities and operations throughout the world. They participate extensively as an industry representative and contracted consultant in many statewide aviation and helicopter system plans. Expert aviation testimony and litigation consultation services have been provided to plaintiffs and defendants on general aviation and airline matters relating to safety, operational concerns, planning, accident prevention and investigations.

Empanelled on numerous FAA and user group committees addressing issues of aeronautical facility design, operations and safety. Contributed essential information and opinions to various federal and state regulators for the formulation and implementation of far-reaching aviation programs and regulatory reviews.  Mr. Syms has been appointed Chairman of the NFPA 418 Committee which develops fire protection and life safety standards for heliports.  He is also one of the most senior members of that committee having served over 20 years.

Major Publications:

• Heliport/Vertiport Development Guide – Helicopter Association International
• The “Twenty – Five Most Asked Questions and ANSWERS about Heliports/Vertiports” – Helicopter Association International
• Operational Survey – VFR Heliport Approaches & Departures – Federal Aviation Administration
• Safety Issues in Heliport/Vertiport Design – The 1990’s and Beyond
• Analysis of Helicopter Mishaps at Heliports, Airports and Unimproved Sites – Federal Aviation Administration
• Composite Profiles of Helicopter Accidents at Heliports and Airports – Federal Aviation Administration
• Published or contributed to numerous articles in ERHC News, Helicopter World, Hospital Aviation, Rotor Magazine, Rotor & Wing, Vertical Magaizine

Affiliations:

Dowling College, Georgia Institute of Technology, HAI Professional Development Program.

(Presentations on Heliport safety and design, wire strike prevention and flying safely in the wire environment, FAA regulations and guidelines.)

Member:

• Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association
• Air Traffic Control Association
• American Helicopter Society
• Aviation/Space Writers Association.
• Eastern Region Helicopter Council
  • Past Publisher & Editor, ERHC News
  • Past Chairman, Heliport Comm.
• Expert Resources, Inc.
• Expert Witness Network
• FAA / Industry
  • Vertiport-Heliport Design Group, Vice Chairman-Industry
• Helicopter Association International
  • Heliport Committee
  • Acoustics Committee
  • Fly Neighborly Committee
• Mid-Atlantic Helicopter Association
• National Fire Protection Association
  • Chair NFPA 418 Standard for Heliports
  • Chairman, Helicopter Refueling W.G.
• New Jersey Aviation Advisory Council
  • Licensing and Regulator Committee
• Quiet Birdmen
• Sea Plane Pilots Association
• Technical Advisory Service for Attorney
• Who’s Who Registry of Global Business Leaders

Education:

Aeronautical Training:

Additionally…

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