ABOUT
Safety Operating Systems
Safety Operating Systems (SOS) has been servicing clients since 2004 in areas of flight management, accident investigations, Safety Management System oversight and implementation, and emergency response planning and training along with providing technical representation in a legal capacity when in accident investigations.
Our team has consists of leaders in the aviation safety industry with a breadth of experience that spans over 40 years and includes former military and commercial pilots as well as aviation maintenance experts.
Our Team
Captain John Cox, founder
With over 14,000 flying hours and 10,000 hours in command of jet airliners, Captain John Cox is a veteran in major airline, corporate, and general aviation. He has also been an instructor, check pilot, and test pilot, while being actively involved in global air safety. He has been a pioneer in introducing Safety Management Systems to the aviation, gas and electric utilities, and media industries since the 1990s. John is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a member of their Flight Operations Group, a Liveryman in the Honorable Company of Air Pilots, a Certified Registered Safety Professional, and a member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators. John was honored with the FAA's prestigious Master Pilot award He has been the aviation analyst for NBC, MSNBC, CNBC and the Weather Channel for the past 15 years, appearing in the news media worldwide to discuss aviation safety. He was also a regular contributor to the show “Air Disasters”, and wrote the column “Ask the Captain” for USA Today’s website until 2022.
Dale Hoth
For a number of years, Dale was an Aviation Safety inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He had previously served as an aircraft mechanic in the US Air Force. Dale was part of the “Systems Group” during the accident investigation of US Air Flight #427 and was also involved in the National Aviation Safety Inspection Program (NASIP) with Northwest Airlines (NWAA). He was responsible for the re-certification of Air France and the re-write of the FAA De-icing and Weight and Balance Program Advisory Circulars. Additionally, Dale was a key contributor to the merger of multiple airlines.
Jim Hosey
Jim has been in the aviation industry for fifteen years, and has extensive experience as a Safety Manager, Senior International Captain, and Aviation Auditor. He is capable of conducting operational audits, investigations, inspections, and training in best safety practices. Additionally, he has experience with Safety Gap Analysis processes and has worked with various Fortune 500 US corporate operators and manufacturers of business aircraft.
Captain John Ransom
Captain Ransom has logged over 16,000 flight hours, with 14,000 of those as the primary pilot. He has completed 400 ocean crossings and is an expert in the MD-11 aircraft, aircraft oxygen systems, and strategies for smoke/fire/fume mitigation. As part of his extensive aviation career, he has held management roles in several large airlines.
Bill Thorton
Bill Thornton is a highly experienced aviation professional with over 53 years in the field and over 12,000 flight hours under his belt. In 2020, he was honored with the FAA's prestigious Master Pilot award. Bill has held numerous roles throughout his career, including Part 135 Captain, Part 91 Chief Pilot, Part 135 General Maintenance Manager, Safety Officer, and IS-BAO Auditor. With a degree in transportation, he holds expertise in both ground transportation and aviation. He is type-rated in the Gulfstream G-4 as well as several models of the Cessna Citation series of aircraft. Bill is an IS-BAO-certified auditor, having conducted audits for various Fortune 500 aviation companies and federal aviation departments. Additionally, he works with aviation safety consulting firms to help flight departments improve safety management systems, emergency response, and crisis management.