Rate My Professor David Powell

Dr. David Powell serves as the Aviation Medicine Course Director within the Occupational and Aviation Medicine Programme at the University of Otago, based in the Department of Medicine at the Wellington campus. This programme falls under the Division of Health Sciences and offers specialised postgraduate qualifications, including the Postgraduate Certificate in Civil Aviation Medicine. In this capacity, Powell has made a notable contribution to international aviation standards by drafting the competency-based foundation for aviation medical examiner training as specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). His involvement ensures that training aligns with global competency requirements for medical examiners in civil aviation.

Powell's research focuses on critical aspects of aviation safety and performance, including non-technical skills, fatigue management among air medical clinicians, and categorisation of in-flight passenger medical incidents. He is a co-author on several peer-reviewed publications stemming from his work at the University of Otago. Key papers include 'Non-technical skills evaluation in the critical care air ambulance environment: introduction of an adapted rating instrument – an observational study' (Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, 2016), 'Fatigue in Air Medical Clinicians Undertaking High-acuity Patient Transports' (Air Medical Journal, 2014), 'Symptom-Based Categorization of In-Flight Passenger Medical Incidents' (Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 2011), and 'Retention of knowledge and skills in first aid and resuscitation by airline cabin crew' (New Zealand Medical Journal, 2007). Previously, Powell served as Chief Medical Officer at Air New Zealand and maintains affiliations in aviation medicine, including as a specialist with qualifications such as MBChB, FAFOEM, and DAvMed. His empirical studies have advanced understanding of human factors in high-risk aviation and medical transport environments, contributing to enhanced safety protocols.