Captain Dave Ryan will be remembered as a mentor, a champion of safety, and a friend whose warmth and dedication touched everyone he met. Dave’s passing is a significant loss to the aviation community, but his spirit and impact will live on, through the lives he influenced and the industry he helped shape.
Dave’s journey in aviation safety spanned decades, each phase marked by an unwavering commitment to making the skies safer. His work took him to prominent positions, as Vice President of Aviation for MI Aviation Holdings to President/CEO of Crownair Aviation. From his time at Bombardier Aerospace, where he co-founded the pioneering Bombardier Safety Standdown program, to his recent role as Executive Director of the Robertson Safety Institute at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. At each stop, Dave left an indelible mark, whether through groundbreaking safety initiatives or through the relationships he built along the way.
Those who knew Dave will recall his humility, humor, and gentle approach to mentorship. He was someone who guided by example, always willing to share his knowledge and make time for others. As a chair of the NBAA Safety Committee and various safety boards, Dave was never content with just setting safety standards; he worked tirelessly to ensure that every professional understood the importance of their role in maintaining them. Dave was more than a leader, he was a person whose integrity, insight, and values left a lasting impression on everyone around him.
His depth of commitment to our industry and, specifically, the determination to make it safer, was always evident. He humbly (and deservedly) accepted recognition, but it’s not what drove him. During his life he was awarded the Aviation Week Volunteer of the Year, Dr. Tony Kern Professionalism in Aviation Award, and the Bombardier Safety Standdown Award, Dave wore these honors lightly, far more interested in using his platform to elevate others.
He inspired colleagues and newcomers alike, reminding everyone of the collective responsibility to foster a culture of safety. His legacy is evident in the hundreds of individuals he mentored, many of whom now carry forward his message of vigilance, professionalism, and humility.
Dave was a friend who could be counted on—quick with a warm welcome, a kind word, or a humorous story. His presence was a comfort, his laughter a reminder of the human side of this industry we are all part of. For those of us lucky enough to have called him a friend, Dave was a grounding force. He knew the value of hard work, but he also knew how to enjoy life, whether sharing in a laugh, or spending a few rounds on the golf course, allowing others to shine alongside him.
Dave Ryan’s influence on aviation safety was remarkable, and his absence will be deeply felt. We are all better because of him, and while we say goodbye, his spirit remains, reminding us always to carry on the work he loved so much.
From the entire ACSF family to Karen and the Ryan family, our deepest sympathies. Please know that Dave’s memory will lift our spirits and forever be an inspiration.
Blue skies and tailwinds, Dave. You will be missed.
