Andre Karpowich
Human Factors Technical Specialist Detailee
Andre Karpowich is the chief pilot and Aviation Safety Officer for Kennedy Space Center Flight Operations.
As the Aviation Safety Officer, Karpowich serves as the center's focal point on aviation safety, and when necessary, acts as the direct counsel to the center director on Aviation Safety matters. He manages the center's Flight Operations Aviation Safety program, and in the event of aircraft incidents, accidents, or other significant events, conducts investigation and reporting. He also acts as a liaison between center and agency Safety and Mission Assurance Office.
As the chief pilot, Karpowich schedules and supervises all flight operations and ensures standardization and flight discipline, training, and evaluation of all assigned pilots.
Currently, Karpowich assists the NASA Senior Safety Culture and Human Factors psychologist with the NASA Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (NASAHFACS) program implementation. In this role, he supports Human Factors training for agency and contract personnel and assists with agency-level work in the Safety Culture Program and Organizational Safety Assessments.
Previously, Karpowich supported NASA as a Kennedy Flight Operations contract pilot.
Karpowich has accomplished many things during his time with NASA. He successfully supported the return of manned launch operations to Kennedy by leveraging Kennedy Flight Operations assets and personnel to contribute to integrated efforts to secure airspace and provide emergency medical response with NASA and external organizations. He oversaw integration of NASA's newest addition to the agency's fleet of aircraft, the Airbus H135, and also played an active role in the NASAHFACS Task Force.
Prior to NASA, Karpowich served in the United States Marine Corps as a helicopter pilot. He was deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and on Western Pacific Marine Expeditionary Units in support of combat and contingency operations. He worked with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Office of Aviation in support of bilateral counter drug operations and managed contract support.
Karpowich was recognized as the Association of Naval Aviation Flight Instructor of the Year 2012 for Helicopter Training Squadron Eighteen and awarded the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition Valor Award for NASA flight operations.
Karpowich holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering technology with a focus in Operations from the University of Central Florida, 2003, and a Master of Science in unmanned systems with a focus in Human Factors from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, 2020. He is a member of the Space Coast Aviation Safety Alliance.
He completed the Aviation Safety Officer's Course and Crew Resource Management Instructor's Course from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps School of Aviation Safety, 2008, and the NASAHFACS Certification from NASA, 2019.
Karpowich is married with two children. His hobbies include home and landscaping projects, anything at the beach, and spending time with family.