Instructor Pilot Accident Investigator Safety Professional       DFC  Honcho 23

Aviation Expert Witness Qualifications Lt Col Ned Linch, (USAF retired) is a current Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII) & aircraft owner/operator, a current 737 major airline pilot based in Los Angeles, CA, and a retired USAF F-16 fighter pilot / instructor pilot / accident investigator / safety officer. He has a diversified aviation background which runs the flying gamut from general aviation to the airlines to extensive combat experience.  He earned a Masters of Aeronautical Science degree from Embry-Riddle, and a Bachelors degree in Aviation Management at Auburn University.  Linch is also a graduate of the USAF's flight safety officer course (Southern California Safety Institute) where he learned to investigate aircraft accidents, study human factors, and create safety programs. He holds an ATP with a type rating in the Boeing 737 as well as Single Engine Land & Sea and Multiengine Sea commercial privileges.  He has over 5000 hours of total flying time including over 2100 hours in the F-16.  Linch is a decorated combat veteran and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism (Valor device), the USAF's Aviation Valor Award, the Lockheed Martin Semper Viper award, and two Air Medals for F-16 missions flown over Iraq.  He is also a Distinguished Graduate from Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) and F-16 pilot training. Linch has a keen interest in human factors in aviation, pilot fatigue, and midair collision avoidance. He has been a featured author in Air Force and Navy safety magazines and the EAA's Sport Aviation magazine.  He recently founded acesaero to provide aviation consulting to include aviation witness expertise, safety program development, and flight instruction using the safety concepts he developed in the USAF that have application to all pilots from general aviation to the airlines.     Best flight safety officer I’ve seen..his contributions have had a nation-wide impact! Lt General Seip, 12th Air Force Commander - 2008 "Epitome of today’s totally involved safety officer—my #1 of 8 flight safety officers."  Brig Gen Barry -- 56th Fighter Wing Commander - 1998 Safety officer  extraordinaire…put squadron on right track for combat. Top 1% of all pilots/safety officers I’ve seen in 20 years. My #1 flight lead in combat…leadership evidenced by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Col Clarke - 187th Fighter Wing Commander - 2003 Detailed biography  General Aviation Experience Military experience Airline experience