William Hamman, MD, PhD Captain United Airlines Co-Director College of Aviation, Center of Excellence for Simulation Research, Western Michigan University
Dr. Hamman has been a pilot for thirty years and a clinician for fifteen years. He is currently an International Captain for United Airlines. Prior to going back to a flying position Dr. Hamman was Manager of Human Factors and Risk Assessment at United Airlines. In this position Dr. Hamman was a leader in the airline industry for applying risk analysis processes in airline operations. He worked with airlines and aircraft manufactures around the world to establish risk assessment and performance improvement programs. Dr. Hamman was also instrumental in developing the team training and assessment of flight crews in the Advanced Qualification Program. (AQP). AQP has changed the way airline crews are trained and certified in the United States. Dr. Hamman was a member of the Human Factors Subcommittee for the administrator of the FAA Ms Jane Garvey, and is former chair of several Air Transport Association, NASA, and Airline Pilot Association focus groups. In addition to Dr. Hamman’s flying he is currently working at several research centers for human performance and simulation. These centers are devoted to improving the quality and safety of medical and aviation performance by developing the science of simulation tools and evaluation. These centers will implement and evaluate comprehensive, innovative approaches for improving individual and team performance based on rigorous scientific data utilizing human performance expertise and simulation facilities. A central feature of this model will be the design of science-based performance markers in professional standards, risk management, and safety science centered on simulation-based tools.