Gretchen Burrett to leave NATS
Beady Eye
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CRASH! I heard a glass ceiling break ;-) I think she's just the right person to make the lumbering dinosaurs in CAA sit up, take notice and bring themselves into the 21st century, gonna be an uphill struggle though.
BD
BD
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It is a pity that there is not a Brit worthy of this UK post..........
I've only heard of her since leaving nats. Did she ever visit the TC shop floor and talk to the troops, I wonder....
I've only heard of her since leaving nats. Did she ever visit the TC shop floor and talk to the troops, I wonder....
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As a humble shop floor worker, I have spoken with her on a number of occasions. In my experience she made herself visible and available to anyone who wanted to speak to her and there were no safety related 'taboo' subjects.
Don't agree with everything she's ever said in her NATS roles, but she will be a loss to the organisation.
Don't agree with everything she's ever said in her NATS roles, but she will be a loss to the organisation.
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Takes credit for all the airproxes we don't have and when we have one she takes the blame.......
Takes credit for all the airproxes we don't have and when we have one she apportions the blame.......
She is a manager after all!!
Must admit I did know who she was, but I am not sure what safety measures she implemented in her tenure. Maybe someone from the Division of Safety can illuminate me.
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For those who have not met her she is American and has a bit of a background in aviation and safety:
Gretchen has a strong aviation background, having served in the US Air Force, flown jet and piston aircraft, and led a multi-national team of test pilots and aircraft designers through the development and execution of a new approach to operational performance and safety certification.
Gretchen is an internationally recognised expert in human factors, and respected throughout the industry for her knowledge and leadership of safety performance. Shehas worked in nuclear certification and safety of intercontinental ballistic missiles, joint airworthiness trials for military aircraft, design and development of defence systems, and as an expert advisor to NATO on human performance and safety critical systems..
Gretchen has a strong aviation background, having served in the US Air Force, flown jet and piston aircraft, and led a multi-national team of test pilots and aircraft designers through the development and execution of a new approach to operational performance and safety certification.
Gretchen is an internationally recognised expert in human factors, and respected throughout the industry for her knowledge and leadership of safety performance. Shehas worked in nuclear certification and safety of intercontinental ballistic missiles, joint airworthiness trials for military aircraft, design and development of defence systems, and as an expert advisor to NATO on human performance and safety critical systems..
So it seems she has a comprehensive background in US miltary aviation but nothing in US or UK civil aviaition. Should fit in nicely at SRG as most of those are experienced in the military world but have zilch experience in the civil world.
More than just an ATCO
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Plain enough on the NATS site (second down for those who need glasses)
Judging by some of the comments, time to merge with the dinosaurs' thread?
Judging by some of the comments, time to merge with the dinosaurs' thread?
I, too, have had the pleasure of meeting Gretchen through work & chatting with her. Without exception, I've always parted knowing more than I did before, & never left in any doubt that she believes in all the people she works with, whatever their specific role. The NATS I see has a far better understanding of what being safe really means. It's disappointing that certain people still feel the need to talk about apportioning blame - I've never heard her talk in those terms. And what is this weird ATCO hang up with dismantling peoples life history, looking for perceived holes? She has easily 10+ years involved civil UK ATC - or does working for NATS not count?
Most people reache a point where they feel the urge to move onwards - & she's leaving a legacy that her colleagues can be proud of. I wish her the best of luck in her new role.
Most people reache a point where they feel the urge to move onwards - & she's leaving a legacy that her colleagues can be proud of. I wish her the best of luck in her new role.
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Some great stuff here.
"certification and safety of intercontinental ballistic missiles".
Surely these things are, by definition, extremely dangerous.
"the lumbering dinosaurs in CAA".
Ah, dinosaurs, some of the most successful animals ever. - Lasted 130 Million years. Thats considerably longer than the usual tenure of a NATS director or 'butterfly' manager, eh BD.
"certification and safety of intercontinental ballistic missiles".
Surely these things are, by definition, extremely dangerous.
"the lumbering dinosaurs in CAA".
Ah, dinosaurs, some of the most successful animals ever. - Lasted 130 Million years. Thats considerably longer than the usual tenure of a NATS director or 'butterfly' manager, eh BD.
Last edited by ZOOKER; 7th Jan 2010 at 19:50.
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Absolutely agree, a great loss. Hopefully will shake SRG up, that is one organisation in definite need of a wakeup.
I'm surprised the number of people posted above who have never heard of her!
RS
I'm surprised the number of people posted above who have never heard of her!
RS