Ih8AFYesmen
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Tom Kemp named system chief pilot
MD-80 captain will lead airline’s 1,500 pilots
Captain Tom Kemp has been named system chief pilot and managing director of flight operations. He succeeds Captain Robert Spero, who has chosen to return to his duties as a check airman and aircrew program designee.
In his new post, Kemp is responsible for the safe operation of Alaska flights, including leading the airline’s 1,500 line pilots and ensuring flight operations comply with Federal Air Regulations and company policies. He also works with other airline divisions to coordinate policies and procedures that affect aircraft operations.
"Tom is a very experienced, well-respected flight operations leader and pilot advocate who has dedicated his career to mentoring and training others," said Ben Forrest, vice president of flight operations. "We are fortunate to have someone of Tom’s caliber lead our pilot group in these dynamic times."
Kemp, who has nearly 16,000 hours of flight time as a military and civilian pilot, was formerly Seattle base chief pilot for Alaska Airlines. As MD-80 fleet captain from 1999 to 2005, he had overall responsibility for procedures on that type of aircraft and supervised 32 check airmen, instructor evaluators and airplane program designees, who grant Federal Aviation Administration aircraft type ratings to pilots and monitor their performance.
"I am privileged to be a member of the most highly talented pilot group in the industry," Kemp said. "Although we face a number of challenges, I’m very optimistic about our future and look forward to serving as the system chief pilot."
Kemp joined Alaska in 1987 as a captain on Boeing MD-80 aircraft after spending four years flying for Jet America Airlines.
A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Kemp served as a commander, instructor and flight examiner in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve for 21 years.
Spero, who served as system chief pilot since February, joined Alaska in 1987 as a second officer on Boeing 727 aircraft and later transitioned to 737s. A Coast Guard veteran, he has more than 11,000 hours of flight time.
"We appreciate and thank Rob for his service, loyalty, pilot advocacy and leadership," Forrest said. "During his tenure, Captain Spero spearheaded several programs that will benefit Flight Operations’ efficiency and, in particular, the pilot group long into the future. We are grateful that he’ll continue to contribute significantly to our training efforts and flight operations."
Don't know what to make of this debacle. It will make interesting cockpit conversation topic amongs our pilot group.
MD-80 captain will lead airline’s 1,500 pilots
Captain Tom Kemp has been named system chief pilot and managing director of flight operations. He succeeds Captain Robert Spero, who has chosen to return to his duties as a check airman and aircrew program designee.
In his new post, Kemp is responsible for the safe operation of Alaska flights, including leading the airline’s 1,500 line pilots and ensuring flight operations comply with Federal Air Regulations and company policies. He also works with other airline divisions to coordinate policies and procedures that affect aircraft operations.
"Tom is a very experienced, well-respected flight operations leader and pilot advocate who has dedicated his career to mentoring and training others," said Ben Forrest, vice president of flight operations. "We are fortunate to have someone of Tom’s caliber lead our pilot group in these dynamic times."
Kemp, who has nearly 16,000 hours of flight time as a military and civilian pilot, was formerly Seattle base chief pilot for Alaska Airlines. As MD-80 fleet captain from 1999 to 2005, he had overall responsibility for procedures on that type of aircraft and supervised 32 check airmen, instructor evaluators and airplane program designees, who grant Federal Aviation Administration aircraft type ratings to pilots and monitor their performance.
"I am privileged to be a member of the most highly talented pilot group in the industry," Kemp said. "Although we face a number of challenges, I’m very optimistic about our future and look forward to serving as the system chief pilot."
Kemp joined Alaska in 1987 as a captain on Boeing MD-80 aircraft after spending four years flying for Jet America Airlines.
A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Kemp served as a commander, instructor and flight examiner in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve for 21 years.
Spero, who served as system chief pilot since February, joined Alaska in 1987 as a second officer on Boeing 727 aircraft and later transitioned to 737s. A Coast Guard veteran, he has more than 11,000 hours of flight time.
"We appreciate and thank Rob for his service, loyalty, pilot advocacy and leadership," Forrest said. "During his tenure, Captain Spero spearheaded several programs that will benefit Flight Operations’ efficiency and, in particular, the pilot group long into the future. We are grateful that he’ll continue to contribute significantly to our training efforts and flight operations."
Don't know what to make of this debacle. It will make interesting cockpit conversation topic amongs our pilot group.
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