John Lapointe
Quality Assurance & Safety Subject Matter Expert
With 40+ years in aeronautics — including 17 years as a Subject Matter Expert at NASA's Office of Safety and Mission Assurance and 10+ years in aviation safety leadership — John brings FAA Inspector Authorization experience, NTSB Academy accident investigation training, and direct involvement in NASA's X-59 and SOFIA programs to mission-critical aviation work.
Career Details
Professional history and key responsibilities
2021 – Present
Show Me Quality Consulting
Columbia, MO
Columbia, MO
Quality Assurance & Safety Subject Matter Expert
- Delivers customer-facing quality assurance as an auditor and QA SME, while providing internal support for an ISO 9001:2015 compliant Quality Management System
- Completed multiple NASA Commercial Aircraft Services (CAS) inspections of commercial aircraft operators in areas of quality assurance engineering, safety management systems, industrial safety, and airworthiness
2008 – 2020
NASA HQ Office of Safety & Mission Assurance
Aviation Safety Subject Matter Expert
- Provided aviation safety program support in high-risk and high-consequence areas of center aircraft operations, collaborating with aviation safety officers and assisting in auditing, investigations, and organizational safety assessments of NASA centers
- Provided oversight of Inter-Center Aircraft Operations Panel (IAOP) reviews of seven NASA centers with assigned aircraft, managed by the Aircraft Management Division
- Provided expertise in auditing aircraft ramps, hangars, and industrial shops for OSHA and NFPA compliance
- Participated with area team leads in assessing aviation safety program health during the audit process and assisted in categorizing audit findings for risk classification provided to center senior management during the audit outbrief
- Assigned as OSMA Liaison to center SMA Directors of the four aeronautics research centers — held monthly telecoms with center SMA staff discussing challenges and accomplishments
- Participated as the Aero Center's representative when NASA NSC completed their safety and quality audits
- Assigned as OSMA Embed to the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate as the technical authority's eyes and ears in the planning and implementing of new flight research programs
- Participated in multiple experimental aircraft design reviews at Lockheed Skunkworks for the X-59 project
2006 – 2008
NASA HQ Aircraft Management Division
Program Manager
- Oversaw the use of Agency Mission Management Aircraft (MMA)
- Coordinated and led MMA Scheduler's workshops to train and standardize MMA processes across centers
- Performed Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) responsibilities for multiple aircraft studies
- Maintained knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration regulations and policies for analyzing current aviation transportation issues affecting NASA flight operations
- Worked and coordinated with mission directorates and NASA centers to implement policies and establish data reporting protocol for aero centers with assigned aircraft
- Performed assessments in areas of management concern during Inter-Center Aircraft Operations Panel (IAOP) reviews
- Performed yearly IAOP MMA functional reviews at NASA centers to validate adherence to new agency and government policies
- Reviewed past performance for quality trends and timelines of flight request data submitted to NASA Headquarters
SOFIA Program Detail:
- Detailed part-time to Dryden Flight Research Center (now Armstrong Flight Research Center) to the SOFIA Program Office, which required specialized lifting device knowledge and experience
- Served as a single point of contact for all parties involved in working risk mitigations of critical components for mirror coating tasks
- Led a team of SOFIA aircraft staff in preparations for removal, transport, and reinstallation of the one-of-a-kind infrared telescope critical lifts for mirror coating
- Worked with quality assurance component subject matter experts from other centers, supporting companies in Germany, safety assurance, mission assurance, and lifting device managers from Dryden Flight Research Center and Ames Research Center to review procedures for risk assessments of critical lifts
2001 – 2006
Dryden Flight Research Center
(now Armstrong Flight Research Center)
(now Armstrong Flight Research Center)
System Safety Specialist / Aviation Ground Safety Manager
System Safety Specialist:
- Interfaced with managers, supervisors, operations, and design engineers concerning project risks involving system safety and hazard analysis
- Performed fault tree analysis and failure modes and effects analysis for critical flight systems
- Developed hazard reports for critical flight systems with project teams documenting risk reduction mitigations
- Led project system safety working group meetings in assessing hazard validity and verifying that proper mitigations were in place to identify residual risk at an acceptable level
- Assisted project teams with preparation of technical briefings to senior management (AFSRB Reviews, Technical Briefs, System Safety Working Group, Independent Review Teams)
Aviation Ground Safety Manager:
- Utilized broad knowledge of federal aviation regulations applying to the center's aircraft when operating in public airspace, and maintained an active Federal Aviation Administration Inspector Authorization License
- Conducted and participated in ground/flight mishap investigations as a representative of the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance
- Performed periodic OSHA inspections of hangars, shops, taxiways, ramps, and parking areas for safe operations and conditions
- Participated as a core member of the Center's Aviation Safety Council
- Acted as the center's representative for briefing new organizations and employees on flightline and hangar safety hazards
- Performed as Center Lifting Devices and Equipment Manager for all crane operations (safety oversight)
- Participated in IAOP meetings and site audits of other NASA centers
1998 – 2001
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
Flight Operations Directorate
Flight Operations Directorate
Flightline Safety Officer
1991 – 1998
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
Flight Operations Directorate
Flight Operations Directorate
Aerospace Engineering Technician
1986 – 1991
United States Air Force Civil Service
Aviation Quality Assurance Inspector
1974 – 1984
United States Military Service
Veteran (5-Point Preference)
Education
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
MS, Aeronautical Science
Specializing in Aeronautical Management & Safety Systems
Specializing in Aeronautical Management & Safety Systems
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
BS, Professional Aeronautics
Minor in Aviation Safety
Minor in Aviation Safety
Professional Affiliations & Certifications
Airframe & Powerplant FAA License
FAA Inspector Authorization License — maintained for ten years
Aircraft Accident Investigation Course — NTSB Academy, 2004
System Safety Engineering — University of Southern California, 2001
Aviation Safety Certificate — University of Southern California, 1995
OSHA Safety Supervisor Certificate — Greater Los Angeles Chapter, National Safety Council, 1999
Professional Training
AS9100/AS9110/AS9120:2016 Path Forward Training — AQS Management Systems, 2017
AS9100:2009 40-hour Lead Auditor Training — AQS Management Systems, 2011
OSHA 30-hour General Industry Safety Course, 2019
Human Factors Analysis and Classification System, 2014 & 2019
FAA/MITRE — Safety Management System (SMS) Training, 2007
Multiple OSHA safety courses awarded by Greater Los Angeles Chapter, National Safety Council
Aerospace Program Experience
NASA X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology — design reviews at Lockheed Skunkworks
SOFIA Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy — critical lift planning
NASA Inter-Center Aircraft Operations Panel (IAOP) — oversight across seven NASA centers
NASA Commercial Aircraft Services (CAS) inspections — multiple commercial operators
NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate — OSMA Embed
Center Lifting Devices and Equipment Manager — Dryden Flight Research Center
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