Gary Robert Sosnowski (Aug. 16, 1948-May 23, 2012). Gary was born in Monticello, NY to Felix A. Sosnowski and Dorothy Supranowich. He graduated from Tri-Valley Central School in his hometown of Woodbourne, N.Y. in 1966. In Jan.1971, Gary earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y. and, in March of that year, began his 20 year career with the U.S. Army. As a commissioned officer, Gary served in numerous command, staff officer and helicopter/airplane pilot positions in Army Aviation and Field Artillery assignments worldwide. One of his favorite assignments was as the aviation commander and pilot responsible for 70 personnel, in Italy and Greece, with 12 aircraft flying throughout Western Europe and the Mediterranean region in support of a major U.S. Army headquarters. He had accrued 5700 accident/incident free hours. He loved to fly. At the time of his death, he was employed with Pragmatics/ISI, as a Senior Operations Research Specialist in support of the FAA Flight Procedures Standards Branch.

Gary was pivotal in advancing helicopter terminal area procedure (TERPS) development with the goal of enhancing helicopter aviation safety. He participated in the development of pilot guidance material in Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), Instrument Procedures Handbook and multiple terminal procedure publications. He was an active and dedicated participant in Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Projects and provided integral TERPS Technical Support with concentration in Helicopter Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) criteria, GPS/WAAS integration. His knowledge base as a helicopter pilot and developer of helicopter criteria (approach, departure, heliport) was unrivaled, unequalled, and beyond reproach. He also assisted in the review of 3rd Party Helicopter Criteria Development to ensure accuracy, completeness, and in accordance with existing FAA policies and directives.