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145 Appendix C Disclosure of Unavoidable Conflicts of Interest The conflict of interest policy of the National Academies of Sciences, En- gineering, and Medicine (http://www.nationalacademies.org/coi) prohibits the appointment of an individual to a committee authoring a Consensus Study Report if the individual has a conflict of interest that is relevant to the task to be performed. An exception to this prohibition is permitted if the National Academies determines that the conflict is unavoidable and the conflict is publicly disclosed. A determination of a conflict of interest for an individual is not an assessment of that individualâs actual behavior or character or ability to act objectively despite the conflicting interest. Dr. Francis S. Heming, Jr., has a conflict of interest in relation to his service on the Committee for a Study on the Feasibility of Wheelchair Re- straint Systems in Passenger Aircraft because he consults for an aerospace company that supplies aircraft seats; other cabin interior products; and other aviation systems, equipment, and services to airlines and other own- ers of aircraft. The National Academies has concluded that for this committee to accomplish the tasks for which it was established, its membership must include at least one person who has detailed knowledge of federal and in- ternational standards governing the safety of aircraft seats and expertise in the engineering, testing, and certification of seats to meet these standards. It is reasonable to assume that these safety standards would need to be met by wheelchairs when used as passenger seats on aircraft. As described in his biographical summary, Dr. Heming has extensive experience and specialized expertise in the testing and certification of aircraft seats, including lengthy past service on relevant standards committees.
146 WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT CONCEPT FOR AIRLINE TRAVEL The National Academies has determined that the experience and ex- pertise of Dr. Heming is needed for the committee to accomplish the task for which it has been established. The National Academies could not find another available individual with the equivalent experience and expertise who does not have a conflict of interest. Therefore, the National Academies has concluded that the conflict is unavoidable. The National Academies believes that Dr. Heming can serve effectively as a member of the committee, and the committee can produce an objective report, taking into account the composition of the committee, the work to be performed, and the procedures to be followed in completing the study. Mr. Gary M. Weissel has a conflict of interest in relation to his service on the Committee for a Study on the Feasibility of Wheelchair Restraint Systems in Passenger Aircraft because his firm has consulting agreements with airlines, including consulting on aircraft cabin interior planning and management. The National Academies has concluded that for this committee to accomplish the tasks for which it was established, its membership must include at least one person who has current experience in airline cabin in- terior arrangements. As described in his biographical summary, Mr. Weissel has extensive and broad current experience pertaining to aircraft interior design, modification, and conversions. The National Academies has determined that the experience and ex- pertise of Mr. Weissel is needed for the committee to accomplish the task for which it has been established. The National Academies could not find another available individual with the equivalent experience and expertise who does not have a conflict of interest. Therefore, the National Academies has concluded that the conflict is unavoidable. The National Academies believes that Mr. Weissel can serve effectively as a member of the committee, and the committee can produce an objective report, taking into account the composition of the committee, the work to be performed, and the procedures to be followed in completing the study.
