Michelle Hight

Background

About Michelle Hight

Michelle's first career was as a C-130 pilot in the U.S. Air Force. When she was medically retired in 2014, she began a new career at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) spending the next six years teaching and overseeing the fixed wing Aeronautical Science program. The jump to Part 121 training management happened in 2021, when she was recruited to carry her PhD work into developing new leadership courses and facilitation skills for instructors and evaluators at a major airline. She created and oversaw all cross-fleet programs during a rapid post-pandemic growth period. This included a new pilot indoctrination program, new instructor/evaluator training, Crew Resource Management (CRM), Threat and Error Management (TEM), Extended Operations (oceanic ETOPS), Safety Management Systems (SMS) and more. Her research and development in the CRM/TEM field led her to her ongoing work as part of the LOSA Collaborative, where she combines her love for science-backed safety assessment with her extensive knowledge of military and civilian fixed-wing aviation. Michelle is also owner of MPH Human Factors LLC, a consulting group of aviators, researchers, authors and instructors focused on improving aviation safety. Michelle's true passion will always be mentoring pilots beginning this exciting journey. Each student comes with a unique story and goals, and she enjoys the opportunity to help them reach those goals, drawing from her decades of flying, military and major airline experience. Career Milestones- Undergraduate Degree in Communications/Public Relations 2001 - Commissioning as 2LT into the USAF, December 2001 - UPT/C-130 initial & multiple upgrade training courses 2001-2008 - 2nd Airlift Squadron @ Pope Air Force Base; C-130E/H 2004-2007 - Combat deployments: OEF, OIF/OND, HOA - Master's Degree @ ERAU in Aviation Safety - 58 SOW @ Kirtland Air Force Base; MC-130H 2007-2008 - 15th Special Operations Squadron @ Hurlburt Field 2008-2010 - More deployments- AFSOC AOC @ Hurlburt - Deputy Chief 2010-2014 - Medical retirement 2014 - permanent loss of flight medical (if you're wondering why I do not fly)- EERAU Professor of Aeronautical Science & Fixed Wing Chair, Dec 2016-2021 - PhD-BA, Northcentral University (Organizational Leadership)- Dissertation study on training innovation for the airlines published - Sr. Manager, Human Factors & Cross-Fleet Training, Hawaiian Airlines 2021-2023 - LOSA Collaborative 2023-present - Central Oregon Community College Assistant Professor of Aviation (COCC) 2023-present - Owner & CEO, MPH Human Factors- 2023-present