Richard Loudon
Biography
Captain Rich Loudon began his 42-year aviation career as a United States Naval Aviator flying the T-34C, T-2, TA-4, FA-18, F-14, T-45, and C-9B aircraft. Serving as a Combat Mission Commander during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Lieutenant Commander Loudon retired after 20 years of service, three Western Pacific deployments aboard the USS Constellation (CV-64), and 265 carrier landings. He additionally served on tours of duty as an operational test pilot, testing emerging weapons systems and next-generation strike-fighter aircraft and flying fleet logistics support missions in the Asia-Pacific and European theaters.
Captain Loudon transitioned to commercial aviation flying for Alaska Airlines based in Seattle, Washington. He has flown over 14,000 hours in the Boeing 727, MD-80, and 737-400/700/800/900/Max aircraft. He has been a Flight Instructor, Check Pilot, Instructor Evaluator and FAA Designee (APD). Captain Loudon has led Crew Resource Management, Threat and Error Management, and Human Factors research, development, and training for 20 years and successfully launched the Human Factors Working Group. He was recently honored with the 2023 Alaska Legend Award for his distinguished contributions to the company and the aviation industry.
Rich has served on the Human Factors subcommittee for the FAA Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee and has spoken at numerous national and international conferences including WATS/AQP, InfoShare, the Air Safety Forum, the Industry Human Factors Roundtable, the Flight Safety Foundation Safety Forum, the NBAA-BACE Safety Standdown, and numerous safety events for government and corporate organizations. Rich was awarded the Royal Aeronautical Society’s 2021 Roger Green Human Factors Medal for his partnership with airlines worldwide, incorporating the novel threat-forward briefing concept he introduced to the industry.
Rich is currently an instructor with the USC Viterbi School of Engineering as an Aviation Safety and Security Instructor specializing in human factors, threat and error management and human performance, resilience and leadership. He was awarded the industry-renowned USC Aviation Safety and Security Management Certificate.
Captain Loudon operates a Safety Consulting company specializing in advancing organizational safety culture through high-performing teams. Rich is originally from the Seattle area, enjoys competitive swimming and flyfishing. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Science from the University of Washington.