Don Bateman, an engineer who revolutionized airline safety, passed away at the age of 91. He created a cockpit device called the ground proximity warning system which warns pilots about the possible danger of crashing into mountains, buildings, or water. The system uses visual and audible signals to alert pilots of potential dangers due to low visibility and bad weather. This innovation has saved thousands of lives, and the number of accidents due to pilot error has significantly decreased. Bateman’s invention was first used in 1974 and was later improved with added features like GPS and terrain data. The enhanced system was mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration to be installed in all registered turbine-powered airplanes. Bateman’s contributions to flight safety earned him induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2005 and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2011.
