Release #: 15.35
July 23, 2015
ALPA Honors First Officer Mark Crystal as Outstanding Airport Safety Liaison
Houston Pilot Recognized for Advancing Highest Aviation Safety Standards
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) today recognized ExpressJet Airlines First Officer Mark Crystal with its Outstanding Airport Safety Liaison award for his efforts to advance the highest standards of aviation safety at the Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport and across the southwestern United States.
“For more than three years, First Officer Crystal has provided an expert airline pilot perspective to ensure that Houston Intercontinental and the entire southwest region achieve the highest possible standards of aviation safety for the passengers and air cargo shippers who depend on air transportation,” said Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, who presented the award today at ALPA’s 61st Air Safety Forum in Washington, D.C.
First Officer Crystal is engaged in many aspects of flight operations at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental, providing the airline pilot’s views on issues ranging from runway safety and aircraft rescue and firefighting to highlighting the dangers of shining a laser at an airliner cockpit.
Along with his responsibilities as an airport safety liaison, First Officer Crystal serves as a regional airport safety coordinator for airports throughout the southwest region. As an air traffic services volunteer, he also represented airline pilots during the North Texas Metroplex airspace redesign. In addition, he serves as the pilot subject-matter expert on new NextGen procedures designed to increase airspace efficiency.
“ALPA commends First Officer Crystal’s unwavering dedication to aviation safety and his perseverance in constantly communicating airline pilots’ perspectives on every aspect of airport and flight operations at Houston Intercontinental and at airports across the southwest region,” said Capt. Canoll.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 52,000 pilots at 31 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org