Dr. Ron

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Ron is a retired aviation psychologist whose final FAA post (2002-1/2004) was as the FAA liaison, and visiting professor in Human Factors and Systems, at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), FL. Prior to that, he spent 2 years as the FAA liaison to the USAF Research Labs and the USAF Aeronautical Systems Center at WPAFB. At that time, he also was a visiting professor, with dual appointments in Aviation and Systems Engineering, at The Ohio State University. Dr. Lofaro went to Ohio in late 1999 from the FAA’s Technical Center where he was a manager in the FAA’s Airworthiness Assurance R&D Division. Ron had gone to the FAA's Technical Center in 1993, from FAA HQ in D.C., where he was project manager on a variety of R&D efforts focused on human factors in flight crew training, performance and assessment as well as ATCS selection. He worked on numerous major projects with NASA, USN, USAF, and various Universities. While at FAA HQ, Ron was name-requested to give some 10 short-courses/seminars for Industry and various federal government agencies, in (flight) crew resource management, aeronautical decision-making and aviation safety.

Ron came to the FAA from the Army Aviation Command, where his 5-plus year stint included R&D in pilot air-to-air combat training, pilot selection and, pilot performance assessment. During his time with Army Aviation, he spent a year as a member of an Army Safety Center" go-team" for Class A aviation accident investigation.

He has currently published 70 articles and book chapters on Aeronautical Decision-Making in the Operational environment (ODM); Crew Resource Management (CRM), Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT); Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM); aviator selection and classification; Air Traffic Controller Specialist selection; aviation safety; aircrew/pilot training and performance evaluation; aviation security human factors; aviation maintenance human factors; maintenance resource management (MRM) training and various aspects of OD/OR. He has also published multiple articles on educational issues, to include both adult and special education.

Ron was a USAF pilot in the early through middle 1960’s. Upon completion of his tour of duty, he obtained a master’s degree at Queens College of CUNY and another master’s and his doctorate at NYU; he did extensive post-graduate work, some years later, in the psychology department of the University of North Florida; focus on personality and intellectual testing and therapy. In the 70’s and early 80’s, he spent 12 years as a University professor across a variety of institutions to include a HBCU before returning to the aviation field. During his 20 plus years in aviation, he has also been an adjunct associate professor for ERAU, teaching at some 4 of their extended campus locations. In 2006, he was selected faculty of the year at NAS Pensacola. Ron has done consulting work for governmental organization and educational institutions in organizational behavior, management-employee relations and management/workforce training.

Ph.D, Psychological and Philosophical Foundations

New York University, New York, N.Y.

MA Degree, Psychology

Queens College of CUNY, New York, N.Y.

MA Degree, Philosophy

New York University, New York, N.Y.

BS Degree, Mathematics

Fordham University, New York, N.Y.

Post Doctoral

Two-year Program in psychological counseling; diagnostic assessment of both personality and intellectual functioning.

University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL