In Memorium

David S. Ryan, MS CISM

Assistant Professor
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Executive Director
Robertson Safety Institute
Dept. of Safety Sciences
College of Aviation
 

David S. Ryan joined Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, College of Aviation, Safety Science Department, Prescott, AZ as an Assistant Professor in January 2022. He also served as the Executive Director of the Robertson Safety Institute. Before joining ERAU, Mr. Ryan had served as the VP Aviation for MI Aviation Holdings in San Diego, CA, from 2008 to 2021, where he was responsible for the operational oversight of a Part 91 flight department with multiple aircraft, personnel, and hangar facilities. In 2009, he was also appointed President/CEO of Crownair Aviation, San Diego, CA, a fixed-base operations company home-based at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. Before moving to San Diego, Mr. Ryan had served as the Chief Pilot for Bombardier Aerospace / Learjet in Wichita, KS, where he managed the daily worldwide operations of the Bombardier Flight Demonstration Team. During his tenure at Bombardier, Mr. Ryan had also served on the flight deck and systems design, development, and flight test team for the Challenger 300 and Learjet 60XR programs, had served on the Learjet Accident Investigation Team, and had been one of the founders and developers of the Bombardier Safety Standdown program. Prior to Bombardier, he had worked at Cessna Aircraft Company as a Sr. Aircraft Accident Investigator (working 106 field investigations), a corporate/demonstration pilot, and Chief CFI for the Cessna Flying Club.

Mr. Ryan also served as the Chairman of the NBAA Safety Committee (2010–18), served on the SCAA Board of Directors and the ERAU Athletics Philanthropy Council (Daytona Beach). He also served on the leadership team as the Prescott affiliate for the ERAU Boeing Center of Aviation and Aerospace Safety. Mr. Ryan held Airline Transport Pilot, Commercial ASEL/S Instrument ratings, multiple type ratings, and Flight Instructor certificates. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Arizona and a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Science-Operations from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Mr. Ryan was the recipient of the 2018 Aviation Week and Space Technology Business Aviation Volunteer of the Year Award and the 2021 Dr. Tony Kern Professionalism in Aviation Award. He was also an ISSP Certified International Safety Manager. Mr. Ryan had spoken at numerous safety seminars and conferences and was very passionate about his role as a safety crusader. He was also the recipient of the prestigious Safety Award during the Safety Standdown 2023 event.