Flightpath with Alok
Alok
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This 2nd season of Flightpath with Alok kicks off in style. In this first episode we are back in India and Alok catches up with Rob Taylor, Chief Technical Officer of Carlyle Aviation Partners Ltd (Carlyle). Carlyle has a large portfolio of approximately 380 owned or managed commercial aircraft worth an estimated US$ 12.1B, spread across 55 countries. Rob is responsible for the day-to-day technical operations and liaises with both financial and commercial disciplines with in the company; his career spans more than thirty five years, the majority of which has been working at a senior and management level, and for a variety of businesses. These have included private corporations; helped the start up efforts of the Canada based LCC WestJet Airlines; has experience working with helicopters, and at the aero engine OEM Pratt & Whitney Canada, as well as legacy carrier Canadian Airlines International. Rob received a Bachelor of Technology Degree (BTech) from British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and has a BTEC national diploma in Aeroscience (Mechanical) and is accredited by the Engineering Council of the UK as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), as well as a Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society (MRAeS) and Chartered Management Institute of UK (MCMI). Additionally, Rob holds a Transport Canada Aircraft Maintenance Engineers License (AME) with multiple ratings. In this episode Rob shares with Alok about his early experiences, how a young want-to-be architect found himself enlisted in the army and how this set him on a path to aviation. Among the topics Rob discusses with Alok are the future of commercial travel; the growth in automation; the importance of attracting talent; how to share knowledge effectively, and the importance of being open as a business to new ideas. If you are wondering whether a career in aviation is for you, and in particular if aircraft leasing will provide you with the opportunities you seek, then this episode is certainly worth a listen.
About Rob Taylor
Website: https://www.carlyle.com/about-carlyle/team/robert-taylor
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-taylor-74020910/
TAKEAWAYS
- Having a diverse team with different cultural backgrounds and perspectives is crucial for making well-rounded decisions in the aviation industry.
- Attracting and retaining talent is a challenge in the industry, especially with competition from other sectors like software companies and OEMs.
- The role of asset management is evolving in Carlyle, particularly with the focus on new aircraft and the need for skilled engineers and finance professionals.
- Continuous learning and understanding of finance are essential for success in the aviation industry.
- Optimizing resources and balancing costs is important in managing aircraft maintenance and operations. Acquiring portfolios of aircraft comes with technical challenges, such as converting data into a digital format and managing multiple aircraft.
- Data and software play a crucial role in the aircraft leasing industry, and in-house software platforms have been developed to track and manage assets.
- New technology, such as the GTF engine, has had an impact on the industry, leading to grounded aircraft and supply chain issues.
- There is a need for skilled professionals in the industry, and mentorship is important for career growth and development.
- Individuals entering the industry should be open to opportunities, listen more than they talk, and focus on moving forward rather than dwelling on the past.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Career Trajectory
13:15 The Role of a CTO and Managing a Diverse Team
38:24 The Evolution of Asset Management in Carlyle
46:33 Overcoming Technical Challenges in Acquiring Aircraft Portfolios
01:06:09 The Impact of New Technology on the Industry
01:20:08 The Importance of India in the Aircraft Leasing Industry
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Fin.
In episode 9 of Flightpath with Alok, The conversation begins with technical challenges in aircraft leasing and the evolution of the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) role. Donal Lowry and Ian Clark discuss their experiences in legacy and newer leasing companies, highlighting the differences in approach and culture. They also explore the impact of Irish and UK aviation experience on the industry. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the differences between technical teams in airlines and leasing companies. The conversation covers challenges with the V2500A1 engine, the difference between the airline and lessor world, pressures in management roles, the impact of GTF engines, handling repeat inspection requirements, negotiating solutions for engine issues, remarketing aircraft with engine problems, and resourcing the aviation industry. Attracting and retaining talent in the industry is also discussed. The conversation explores various challenges and trends in the aviation industry. It discusses the availability of choice and income for young professionals, the dependence on government subsidies for smaller airlines, and the challenges of talent retention due to financial pressures. The conversation also highlights the initiatives for training and apprenticeships in the industry. It addresses the difficulties in backfilling the industry with skilled professionals and the trends driving the industry, including sustainability and resilience. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the opportunities that arise during crises and the positive trends in the industry.
About Donal Lowry: https://www.acumen.aero/team-member/20
About Ian Clark: https://www.acumen.aero/team-member/14
Takeaways
- The role of the CTO in aircraft leasing has evolved to include risk assessment, risk management, and customer relationship management.
- Legacy leasing companies often had a tougher approach, while newer leasing companies focused on building relationships and accommodating customer needs.
- The aviation experience in Ireland and the UK has had a significant global impact, with professionals from these regions making a mark in the industry.
- Technical teams in airlines delve deeper into technical details while leasing companies focus more on monitoring and major technical issues.
- The collaboration between airlines and leasing companies has improved over time, leading to smoother lease transitions and better understanding of return conditions. The V2500A1 engine created challenges for operators, leasing companies, and Pratt & Whitney.
- The airline world and the lessor world have different pressures, with the intensity of pressures being higher in the airline role.
- The GTF engine is a bigger problem than the V2500A1 engine, with a significant number of engines needing to be taken off wing.
- Negotiating solutions for engine issues requires tripartite agreements between the OEM, lessor, and lessee.
- The aviation industry faces challenges in attracting and retaining talent, and there is a need for more resources. The aviation industry faces challenges in attracting and retaining talent due to factors such as availability of choice, income, and job stability.
- Government subsidies play a crucial role in sustaining smaller airlines, especially in regions with lower airfares.
- Initiatives for training and apprenticeships are being implemented to address the talent shortage in the industry.
- The industry needs to focus on backfilling technical roles and strengthening relationships between manufacturers and suppliers.
- Trends driving the industry include sustainability, resilience, and the growth of the leasing community.
Chapters
- Introduction and Technical Challenges in Aircraft Leasing
- Evolution of the CTO Role in Aircraft Leasing
- Contrasting Approaches in Legacy and Newer Leasing Companies
- The Impact of Irish and UK Aviation Experience
- Differences in Technical Teams in Airlines and Leasing Companies
- Challenges with the V2500A1 Engine
- Difference between the Airline and Lessor World
- Pressures in Management Roles
- The Impact of GTF Engines
- The Role of OEMs in Engine Issues
- Handling Repeat Inspection Requirements
- Negotiating Solutions for Engine Issues
- Remarketing Aircraft with Engine Problems
- Resourcing the Aviation Industry
- Attracting and Retaining Talent in the Industry
- Availability of Choice and Income
- Dependence on Government Subsidies
- Talent Retention and Financial Pressures
- Initiatives for Training and Apprenticeships
- Challenges in Backfilling the Industry
- Trends Driving the Industry
- Green Initiatives and Positive Trends
- Opportunities in Crisis
- Closing Remarks
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🎧 Listen To #FlightPathWithAlok
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Website: www.flightpathwithalok.com
Fin.
In this, episode of Flightpath with Alok, we hear from David Power, a much-respected figure in the world of aviation leasing. David currently holds multiple board and advisory positions within the aviation sector. These include being, a special advisor to Aergo Capital; Vice Chair of the Advisory Board - The Hague Court of Arbitration for Aviation and Chair of Technical Standing Committee; Board Member of AviLease; Founder and Principal of Solus Capital Partners, and Chair of the board at FADO an Irish manufacturing company. Prior to this, David was the Chair of Orix, Hong Kong. David held the position of Orix Aviation CEO until 2019, crowning a career with the company, spanning more than twenty-six years. David grew ORIX Aviation from a small 20-aircraft lessor to an Asset Management powerhouse and top 10 lessors. At the time David left Orix, it owned and managed a fleet of approximately 300 commercial aircraft, worth US$12bn as well as a 30% stake in Avolon, a top three Lessor. David talks to Alok about his early years, what it was like growing up in a rural setting on the west coast of County Clare, Ireland, his early career and studies, and how he found himself on the path of aviation leasing. David speaks openly about the highs, lows and successes of his career. And, David’s professional experience certainly demonstrates the level of variety and longevity a career in aviation can offer to the next generation of young executives, possibly considering their own careers and whether aviation may offer them the opportunity, purpose and fulfilment they are seeking.
#assetmanagement #aviation #aircraftleasing #aviationfinance #flightpath #alok #flightpathwithalok
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