Scott J. Harper

Staff Analyst

St. Cloud State University
Bachelor of Arts, Biomedical Science, 1975
Minor, Psychology

U.S. Naval Post Graduate Aviation Safety School                         
1980

Certifications and Ratings
Airline Transport Pilot—Airplane, multi-engine land
Type Ratings—

  • BE–400 (Beechjet)

  • DA–50 (Falcon 50/900B/900EX)

  • DA–2000 (Falcon 2000)

  • G–1159 (Gulfstream III)

  • HS–125 (Hawker 800XP)

  • B–737–800 (Boeing 737—800)

Mr. Harper has over 40 years of experience in the aviation industry, serving in all facets of operations, including military, commercial, and general aviation, and as a staff analyst at PAI Consulting.  Mr. Harper uses his operational aviation knowledge to assist in a number of projects.  His daily responsibilities include assisting PAI leadership on numerous projects and writing technical papers supporting Government and industry clients, developing and writing reports to support working groups executing regulatory and government-mandated efforts, as well as analyzing and writing prospective regulations.

Mr. Harper’s major projects at PAI have included compiling working group actions and recommendations in support of Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) and the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) program.  He has supported several aviation rulemaking committees (ARC) and the Future of Aviation Advisory Committee (FAAC) for the U.S. Department of Transportation, which included authoring the daily summaries, detailed records of meeting, and assisting the writing team with the ARC’s final report to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Mr. Harper also participated as a team member in training for operational safety and International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS–BAO) audits for numerous corporate flight departments, and assisted in writing the final IS–BAO Audit report to the flight department.  In addition, he acts as onsite manager for the twice-yearly Aviation Safety InfoShare conference, which is attended by over 1,000 participants, including a variety of aviation safety professions (Government, commercial, and general aviation operators; corporate and business operators; associations; and international operators). 

Mr. Harper started his flying career in the military with the United States Navy at Pensacola Naval Air Station and earned his Navy Wings of Gold in December 1979.  During his first squadron tour, Mr. Harper held jobs as the flight officer in the operations department and as the squadron aviation safety officer after attending the Aviation Safety Officer Course.  Upon completion of his first squadron tour, Mr. Harper completed a variety of assignments, including serving as Admiral’s Aide, Flag Lieutenant for Commander Second Fleet, Aviation Assignments Officer, and White House Presidential Social Aide.  Mr. Harper retired as the Navy’s VIP squadron commanding officer and personal pilot for the Secretary of the Navy.  Mr. Harper began his civilian aviation career as a first officer at MCI Telecommunications.  In 2001, Mr. Harper began training at the American Airlines Academy and was assigned to the Chicago-based Boeing 737–800, flying international routes.  He also served as a domestic and international captain for the Nextel Communications Flight Department.  During the Nextel-Sprint merger, Mr. Harper headed the committee that rewrote the flight department’s standard operating procedures and field operating manual.  In addition, Mr. Harper served as the Director of 737 Shuttle Operations.