1941-2009
Dr. Gardiner’s central goal at SCSI was to provide those in the aviation field the best tools and training available to reduce accident rates and ultimately increase the safety of those that fly. Whether it was flying in six experts from around the world to teach one course, taking one of SCSI’s courses overseas, setting up a comprehensive crash lab for hands-on training, or making courses available online, his vision was nothing less than ‘excellence in aviation safety training.’ He sought to recruit the best and develop the best, recognizing that in so doing, SCSI could help save lives.
His many accomplishments at SCSI include making aviation safety training available to anyone, anywhere through our distance learning program. Distance learning had been a vision of his for over 15 years, and has grown to become a key vehicle for the delivery of training at SCSI. It has been especially instrumental during the recent worldwide economic downturn, allowing aviation safety professionals access to training while zeroing out travel and hotel expenses.
Dr. Gardiner also was instrumental in the development of SCSI’s Certificate Programs, including the Certificate in Aircraft Accident Investigation and the Certificate in Safety Management Systems. He positioned SCSI at the front of the SMS wave, and the institute was among the first to offer SMS training.
In recent years, Dr. Gardiner was instrumental in making the business case for safety, and was a sought after speaker on that subject. He was invited to brief the Alaska Air Carriers Assocation on this topic, and followed that briefing with presentations to CHC Helicopters in Canada and at the Turbomeca Symposium in Vienna last year.
All considered, perhaps one of Dr. Gardiner’s most highlighted accomplishments at SCSI, was the development of the Aviation Crash Laboratory. SCSI is the only private aviation safety training organization in the United States with its own comprehensive crash laboratory that features actual fixed and rotary wing aircraft wreckage. This laboratory, drawing students from around the world, provides hands on investigation training preparatory to actual aircraft crash sites.
Dr. Gardiner’s work at SCSI grew naturally from his work at the University of Southern California where he spent three decades as a tenured Professor. In addition to teaching, he was the Director of the Institute of Safety and Systems Management where he oversaw the Graduate programs on campus and overseas. He received his Ph.D. from USC in Urban Planning and Development and prior to that he was an officer in the United States Navy.
On a personal level, he was an active public servant in his community. He was a two-term City Councilman for the city of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, which included a term as Mayor, a past governing board member of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, and was actively involved in volunteer service to his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
For all who knew him, he will be sorely missed.