Presenter:

Jim Patterson
FAA Tech Center

Jim Patterson is currently the Manager of the FAA’s Airport Safety Research and Development Section at the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, NJ, where his team of researchers manage numerous research and development projects in visual guidance, aircraft rescue and firefighting, runway surface safety, wildlife hazards, aircraft braking, airport planning, and airport design safety. Within just the last few years, Jim has been managing a program focusing on UAS detection technologies at airports here in the United States, and is currently managing a new UAS Applications for Airports research program.  Jim joined the FAA in December 1999.

Jim has a Bachelor of Science degree in Airport Management & Flight Technology from Florida Tech, in Melbourne, Florida.  He holds a Commercial pilot certificate with Instrument and Multi Engine ratings, is a Certified Flight Instructor, and holds a Part 107 UAS remote pilot certificate.

Presenter:

Gary Wilson
FAA Chicago Airports District Office

Gary has been with the Federal Aviation Administration Chicago Airports District Office since 2002 where he is currently the FAA Planner for the State of Indiana.  As a collateral duty, Gary was appointed as the Great Lakes Region Office of Airports Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Liaison in 2018, tasked with assisting aviation stakeholders with safely integrating UAS into the National Airspace System.  Prior to beginning his career with the FAA, Gary spent 20 years in the Air Force performing duties in operations, planning and project funding at bases around the world.  Gary attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Science.  Gary holds a Private Pilot’s license and an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Remote Pilot certificate.

Presenter:

Nader Kharazi
FAA Certified Inspector

Nader Kharazi is a FAA Airport Certification and Safety Inspector assigned to the Great Lakes Region in Chicago, IL. He has been an FAA Inspector since 2018. Prior to working for the FAA, Nader spent 7 years working in Airport Operations at O’Hare International Airport, La Crosse Regional Airport, San Jose International Airport, and San Mateo County Airports. Nader has a Commercial Pilots License and is a Certified Flight Instructor. Nader holds a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation from Daniel Webster College.

Moderator:

Jim Grava
Assistant Airport Operations Manager
General Mitchell International Airport

Mr. James Grava is currently one of the Assistant Airport Operations Managers at Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport  He is responsible for overseeing the departments 20 employees and their compliance to Part 139.  He has been with the Operations Department since September of 2000.  James started his aviation career in 1987 working for ground service companies, providing weight and balance and ground handling of air cargo aircraft.  He has worked at General Mitchell International Airport for 33 years.

He holds both a Private Pilot Certificate and Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate from the FAA.