Purvis to speak at luncheon Published Sept. 1, 2011 By Darbie Sizemore AEDC/PA Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. -- The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the Arnold Association of Professional Societies (AAPS) will sponsor a luncheon meeting Sept. 14 at the Arnold Lakeside Club. The luncheon includes a presentation by AIAA Distinguished Lecturer John W. Purvis titled "Accidents Happen: Behind the Headlines - Inside the Process of Airplane Accident Investigation." This presentation examines large airplane accident investigations, in particular the roles played by the manufacturer and other organizations (e.g., National Transportation Safety Board [NTSB], the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA], the airline and component subcontractors). The presentation includes several "war stories" taken from Purvis' extensive career as a "tin kicker." Purvis was in charge of Boeing Commercial Airplane Group's accident investigation team and, since retiring from Boeing in 1998, has built a successful second career by establishing the aviation safety consulting firm Safety Services International (now part of RTI). He is a Fellow of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators and has received the group's Jerome F. Lederer award for "outstanding contributions to technical excellence in accident investigation." The Italian luncheon buffet includes bowtie and fettuccini pasta with red and white sauce, meat lasagna, bread and salad and is $9.95 per person ($8.95 for ALC members) payable at the door. Lunch begins at 11 a.m., followed by the presentation at 11:30 a.m. Please RSVP by Wednesday to Joe Wehrmeyer via email at joseph.wehrmeyer@arnold.af.mil or phone at (931)-454-4345 for an accurate head count and to allow non-AEDC personnel access through the gated area to the ALC.