Seventh public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

Biography of Edmond L. Soliday

Captain Soliday was employed by United Airlines for over 35 years as a pilot, Human Factors Instructor, Flight Manager, Staff Executive, serving the last eleven as Vice President of Safety, Quality Assurance and Security. During his time in the safety role, he was responsible for Flight Safety, Aircraft Cabin Safety, Occupational Safety, Environmental Compliance, Operational Quality Assurance, Security, Information Security and Emergency Response.

During his career he made significant contributions in the development of Emergency Response Methodologies, Flight Crew Human Factors Safety Initiatives, Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Devices, Flight Operations Quality Assurance programs (Digital Performance Monitoring and Analysis), Union /Management Occupational Safety Initiatives. Code Share and Express Carrier Safety Auditing, Aviation Industry Security Screening Technology Implementation and Risk Analysis Methodologies.

He has served on numerous aviation safety related advisory boards and commissions, including the Gore Commission’s Aviation Security Baseline Working Group and the Commercial Aviation Safety Team (Chairman - 5 years), The Flight Operations Quality Assurance Advisory Rulemaking Committee, Past Chairman of the Air Transport Association Safety Council, the IATA Flight Safety Committee, Past Chairman of the Star Alliance Safety Committee, and the Air Transport Association Environment Executive Sub-Committee, past Chairman of the ATA Environmental Committee, a member National Academy of Sciences Panel on Transportation Security Technology.

He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Flight Safety Foundation, The NASA Aviation Safety Program Executive Panel, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Global Airline Industry Program Advisory Group, The National Academy of Sciences Panel on NASA Aviation Safety Initiatives, Vice-Chairman of the Adler Planetarium Board of Trustees, the Trinity International University Board of Regents and as an advisor to the Pentagon’s Aviation Safety Improvement Task Force Additionally, he teaches “Introduction to Aviation Safety & Security Programs” at George Washington University Aviation.

He has most recently served as a consultant to the Rand Corporation, the Boeing Company, Greenbriar Equity, LLP and the military Joint Services Safety Taskforce.

Among his awards are Bendix Trophy (Enhanced GPWS development), the Vanguard Trophy and the Laura Tabor Barbour International Air Safety Award (Flight Operations Quality Assurance development), FBI and FAA Distinguished Service Awards, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart.

Before entering management at United Captain Soliday served for ten years as President and Chief Executive Officer of Kids Alive International, an organization dedicated to meeting the needs of children in the Middle East, Asia, Central and Latin America. Additionally, he has served his community as a city Planning Commission Member and Member of the Board of Parks and Recreation.