PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has appointed Mr. Muhtar Usman, an aviator of over three decades, new Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, of the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

Until his elevation, he was the Director of Operations for the four-year old Bureau, created through Civil Aviation Act 2006 and became operational in April, 2007.

The agency is charged with the responsibility of investigating aircraft accidents and serious incidents with a view to determining the causes and proffer safety recommendations that can prevent similar occurrences in future. The agency plays a vital role in furthering the latitude of air safety which explains why the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommends contracting states to establish autonomous accident investigation bodies that are separate from other government organs.

The new commissioner’s aviation career dates back to 1981 at the College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria, where as a flying instructor, he was involved in the training of student pilots from basic to attain commercial pilot licence, multi-engine, and instrument ratings.

He had a diploma in Aeronautical Electronics and Telecommunication and a City and Guilds certificate in Radio, Television, Electronics and Telecommunication.

He later bagged his qualification as a Commercial Pilot with multi-engine and instrument ratings from Burnside-Ott Aviation Training Centre, Miami, United States of America in 1978.

Besides, he also qualified as a Boeing 727 Flight Engineer in Miami in 1980 and capped that with a Flying Instructors’ rating at Oxford Air Training School, United Kingdom in 1982.

With an Airline Transport Pilot License from New York in 1992 the Kaduna State born pilot has successfully garnered all the professional qualifications needed for a successful career in aviation.

He is currently a B737 pilot and has acquired over 8,000 hours in his professional career.

Between 1984 and 2004 Usman served the defunct Nigerian Airways as an airline pilot and Flight Safety Officer.

Usman undertook various assignments that broadened his knowledge in management and operations.

He was involved in safety management, aviation security and aircraft acquisition among other responsibilities.

Usman in the course of his career has worked with Chanchangi airlines as a pilot and nominated as company safety captain.

His professional training in accident investigation include an Aircraft Accident Investigation course at the University of South California, USA in 2006, Aircraft Accident Investigation course, Cranfield University, United Kingdom in 2009 and Aircraft Accident Investigation Course, National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB, U.S.A, 2011.

Capt Usman has also had training in Helicopter Accident Investigation from University of Southern California, (USC) just as he has attended a lot of other workshops and seminars on accident investigation, safety, airspace management and .

He is a member International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI), which is the global umbrella body of accident investigators.