Senior Airservices executive Greg Hood has been named as the next Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) chief commissioner, replacing Martin Dolan, who has been the ATSB chief commissioner for the past seven years, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester announced on Friday.
Hood, who began his career as a RAAF air traffic controller, is currently executive general manager for air traffic control at Airservices, a position he has held since 2013. He also previously worked at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is a pilot who flies his own BD4 aircraft.
Chester said Hood’s more than 30-year career in the aviation sector meant he would bring extensive experience and leadership into the role of ATSB chief commissioner.
“This appointment will enable the ATSB to continue to perform its vital role as the national transport safety investigator to the high standards expected by Australians,” Chester said in a statement.
“I would like to thank Mr Martin Dolan for the leadership he has provided to the ATSB over the past seven years as Chief Commissioner, a period coinciding with strong growth and increasing diversity in the transport sector.”
Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) chairman Jim Davis said welcomed Hood’s appointment and thanked Dolan for support of the regional aviation industry as chief commissioner.
“Hood brings an extensive knowledge of the aviation industry and safety management to the position,” Davis said in a statement.
“His deep understanding of aviation regulations and the aviation and economic needs of regional Australia will greatly assist him in his new role and help ensure that a high standard of safety is maintained in regional aviation.”
