Aircraft Maintenance

Joseph R. Reynolds, PE, MEWI, MAE
Air Safety Investigator – Aircraft Electrical and Electronic Systems and Flight Data Analysis

Summary

Joseph R. Reynolds, PE, MEWI, MAE, is internationally recognized as a forensic engineering expert witness and is an authority regarding the investigation and analysis of aircraft accidents, aircraft fires and equipment failures, systems reliability research, and safety analysis, as well as producing emergency response preparedness scenarios and major claims resolution training courses, such as AViCON.  He has served as the team leader and technical director, as well as principal testifier, in large multidisciplinary investigations. Examples of his specific experience in aviation encompasses aircraft accident analysis and cockpit scenario reconstructions, airborne radar and communications, electric power systems, aircraft wiring, and protection, flight sensors and controls, avionics and flight instrument analysis, aircraft electric safety hazards, and the production of integrated flight data visualisations and simulations.  Mr. Reynolds also has considerable experience in research, construction, and testing of aircraft electronics.

Mr. Reynolds is the founder and president of RTI Group, LLC based in the US, as well as the founder and chairman of the London based UK firm Reynolds Technological Inquiries Limited, RTI Ltd, with offices in South America.  The RTI companies are an international consultancy of experienced experts with a new research centre to determine the cause of electrical, material, and mechanical failures. An advanced multimedia studio provides the visuals to effectively present our findings.  A highly-diversified firm, RTI specializes in accident and failure analysis of various size matters involving aviation, marine, rail, telecommunications, power utilities, and high risk industries.

Mr. Reynolds has given expert testimony in arbitration hearings and courts of law, and has appeared before safety boards and international professional forums.

Senior Aviation Maintenance Consultant

Summary
RTI Expert 011275 has over 45 years of experience in corporate aviation. He possesses a comprehensive understanding of maintaining, operating and managing corporate aircraft under FAR parts 91, 121, 125, and 135.  With over 140 projects completed, he has helped develop the ever-maturing field of corporate aviation.  He knows the business from both sides, as an operator and as a service provider.  In the past 35 years, he has orchestrated the start-up or restructure of several maintenance departments and repair stations, plus provides continuing Director of Maintenance administrative and management services, industry best practices safety audits, aircraft owner advocacy and mentoring.  

• Technical consulting for heavy corporate aircraft
• Managed and operated aircraft under FAR Parts 91, 121, 125 and 135
• Authored maintenance procedures manuals for FAR Parts 121, 125, 135 and 145 operations
• Over 25 years FAR Part 135 Director of Maintenance experience
• Firm comprehension of FARs
• Excellent rapport with FAA
• Represent buyers and sellers in new and used aircraft transactions
• Oversight of aircraft operated by management companies
• Founder and President maintenance management/consulting company for over 30 years
• International operations experience
• Marketing and sales for maintenance management company
• Accredited IS-BAO Auditor

He has been providing maintenance management and technical consulting services domestically and internationally. These services have been provided to domestic and international companies such as ARCO, Uniden, SMC Aviation, Nike, Pacific Gas & Electric, Global Aviation and individuals. He provided expert witness services to a corporation in Mexico which resulted in the client obtaining the desired maintenance invoice settlement from a major OEM.  Forensic records research and invoice review is a specialty of his.  Overall, in the past 30 years, he has orchestrated the start-up or complete restructure of over a dozen maintenance departments, started 6 part 135 certificates and 4 part 145 repair stations.  In addition to his formal education, he has attended numerous classes in technical training, maintenance management, leadership, flight operations management, aviation safety, human factors, ISO 9001 audit training and is an accredited IS-BAO Auditor.  His specific airframe systems and engine training include Gulfstream II, III, IV, 550, 650 Challenger 601, Lear 60, Boeing 707, 727, Bell 206, Rolls Royce Spey, Tay & BR710, TFE 731, GE CF34, Honeywell GTCP 36-6, -100 & -150.  He is a member of PAMA, NBAA, is on the Safety Committee of the Northern California Business Aviation Association and on the advisory board of HBA Corporations ASCERT and EASI safety training programs.

Sr. Aeronautical Engineer / Transport Aircraft Certification Specialist  

Summary
He is an aircraft modification, manufacturing, and maintenance veteran with over 48 years’ experience as a corporate executive, FAA aircraft certification manager, aeronautical engineer, and consultant. For 25 years, was an executive in the MRO industry. This included serving as the President of Goodrich Aviation Technical Services, a major transport airplane maintenance, manufacturing, and modification business. For 15 years, he worked with the Federal Aviation Administration as an aviation safety executive and engineer, including serving as Manager of the Seattle Aircraft Certification Office. For the past 6 years, he was the CEO for a Boeing subsidiary company that designs and produces wing aerodynamic performance improvement modifications for Boeing airplanes. He is also an aviation consultant and advisor to airlines, aviation MROs, manufacturers, law firms, financial institutions, historical foundations and special purpose aircraft operators.

Aircraft Landing Gear/Brake System Design, Maintenance and Servicing

An expert in design, certification, maintenance, and servicing of aircraft landing gear, braking control systems, wheels, tires, brakes, proximity systems, and related systems.  His extensive experience also includes involvement in numerous accident investigations associated with landing gear, brake systems, and aircraft stopping distance issues. He participated on many NTSB accident technical investigation teams

As manager of the Landing Gear, Brake, and Hydraulic Systems division for a major airframe manufacturer, he has led teams of engineering experts responsible for the design, development, certification, safe operation, and in-service performance of software-based control and information systems, landing gears, brake systems, hydraulic systems and components, proximity systems, weight and balance systems, and nose gear steering systems.  He is experienced with general aviation, military and commercial aircraft, their components and systems, and has served on industry teams.  He is an FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) with authority relating to wheels and brakes, brake control systems, proximity systems, landing gear design, and other related systems.

Aircraft and Engine Maintenance, MRO Management

Summary

He is a highly experienced General and Corporate Aviation aircraft and powerplant maintenance expert.  He has maintained a wide range of airplane, helicopter, reciprocating and turbine engines.  He has served as a FAR Part 135 Director of Maintenance and a Chief Inspector.  He is also an FAA Safety Team (FAAST) member and Safety Counselor.  He has experience in virtually all aspects of repair station operations and management and has extensive background in consulting aviation maintenance organizations.  Over his career, he has worked on over seventy aircraft/powerplant combinations.

He has provided expert testimony in courts of law.

Aviation Fuel System Design Engineer

Summary
He is an aviation fuel system design engineer with 38 years Aerospace Experience, 23 US Patents, Fuel System Architect, Military Aircraft, Military Commercial Derivative Aircraft (MCDA) and Commercial Aircraft, FAA Certification, Propulsion Systems, Fuel System, Aerial Refueling: Tanker and Receiver, Fire Protection, Explosion Proof Design, Qualification Testing, Inventor, Accident Investigator, Litigation Support, Company, DoD, FAA and Industry Technical Resource

Aircraft Accident Investigator and Maintenance Specialist

Summary

This expert has over 30 years of professional experience in Line and Overhaul aircraft maintenance as an AMT, QC Inspector, QC Supervisor, and Safety Investigation Specialist. He has an A&P Certificate; completed Aircraft Familiarization (FAM) courses on most commercial airline fleet types and various business aircraft; extensive technical classes related to aircraft maintenance and NDT. He possess an in-depth knowledge of maintenance and Quality Control inspection programs.
His academic qualifications consist of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Aeronautics with a minor in Aviation Safety from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Degree curriculum included courses in Human Factors, Safety Management Systems (SMS), Aircraft Accident Investigation, and Powerplant Accident Investigation, Root Cause/Risk Assessment. In addition, he has attended Boeing Accident Investigation training, NTSB Investigation Techniques, Continuous Improvement Methods, Aircraft Maintenance Management Program, Auditing Fundamentals, OSHA, and many others.