Robert Sumwalt, who writes BCA's Impact column, is executive director for the Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He was a member of the NTSB from 2006-21, including serving as chairman from 2017-21. Prior to that, he managed a corporate flight department for a Fortune 500 company, and previously was an airline pilot for 24 years.