MRO AMERICAS 2009
April 21-23, 2009
Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center
Grapevine/Dallas, TX
program
Tuesday April 21
(All tracks go to Tuesday sessions)
1:00 – 1:15
Welcome and introductions
Ed Hazelwood, Editor-In-Chief Conferences, AVIATION WEEK
1:15 – 2:00
Keynote presentation
1:30
Exhibit Hall Opens (1:30 -- 5:00)
2:00 – 2:30
Award presentations
Aviation Week MRO Awards
ATA Nuts & Bolts Awards
2:30 – 4:00
Forecast and Survey Presentations (all tracks) –
Team SAI,
AeroStrategy
4:00
Conference Adjourns everyone moves to exhibit hall
Wednesday April 22
8:00- 8:15
Welcome and introductions (all tracks)
Ed Hazelwood, Editor-In-Chief Conferences, AVIATION WEEK
8:15 – 8:45
Keynote presentation and Q&A
Richard Anderson, CEO, Delta Air Lines
8:45 – 10:00
Leadership Summit: Reinventing Commercial Aviation/MRO In A Changed World.
The traditional paradigms for the airlines and their MRO partners are rapidly disappearing. The advent of unprecedented fuel costs, green aviation regulations, and rapidly changing business models are forcing airlines, MRO operators and suppliers, to innovate, to rethink their best practices, to drive change and learn from other industries—if they want to remain viable. Nothing less than survival is at stake here. At this essential session, delegates will be challenged by key industry innovators and leaders to think outside the box. See how other organizations are coping in an altered business environment, and learn how to move forward in this new and changed era of commercial aviation. (all tracks)
Moderator: Tony Charaf, President, Delta TechOps
Bernd Kessler, CEO, SR Technics
Stephen Kolski, EVP, Operations & Corporate Affairs, AirTran Airways
10:00 – 10:15
Coffee Break
10:15 – 11:15
Concurrent track sessions A
10:30
Exhibition Hall opens (10:30 - 5:00)
A1-MRO Trends Top Ten Ways to Save Fuel: A Primer for Airlines, MRO Operators, and Suppliers.
No one needs to remind the MRO industry that the price of fuel is having a dramatic impact on the commercial airlines and the way the entire industry does business. Come find out how the MRO segment can help reduce fuel consumption to benefit their airline customers. From lighter materials to winglet modifications and engine washing, there are many ways that MRO operators and suppliers can help reduce fuel consumption. You will leave this session with a list of concrete examples that your company can start implementing right away.
Moderator: Lee Ann Tegtmeier, Managing Editor, Overhaul & Maintenance
Tom Gentile, President and CEO, GE Aviation, Services
A2-Interiors PMA Parts, Certification, and Interiors Maintenance.
Do seat regulations and other requirements governing aircraft interiors preclude the use of PMA parts? Given strict flammability and other rules, can interiors modification and repair include the use of PMA parts or do they invalidate the certification of those interiors products? Come hear what the experts have to say on these and other important interiors MRO issues.
Walt Klein, Director, Quality, Engineering and Training, Delta Air Lines
A3-Purchasing/Supply Chain Supply Chain Super Session: Customers, Suppliers and Integrators Speak Out.
This is a new, all-important double session focuses exclusively on the aviation supply chain. You won’t want to miss it! Hear industry leaders from all sides of the supply chain – airline/operators, suppliers and integrators—discuss such key issues as: developing a business partnership rather than just managing a vendor; operators’ management of performance of their integrators and suppliers; and whether or not supply chain integrators are actually trimming costs and improving system availability. Panelists will discuss best practices and address such issues as contracting with airline customers and suppliers, demand planning, distribution management, optimization of repair and supply sourcing, performance, management, and more. Suppliers will have their turn as well, sharing the challenges of maintaining performance and quality while accepting increased risk, and strategies for how to remain competitive with the economies of scale offered by the integrators.
Moderator: Harry Gregory, Adjunct Professor, University of Tennessee, College of Business
Jon Gappa, Director of Maintenance Procurement, Southwest Airlines
Heino Ostermeier, Airbus
11:15 – 12:15
Concurrent track sessions B
B1 – MRO Trends Labor and Staffing Outlook: A Stumbling Block on the MRO Horizon.
With all the focus on fuel prices, regulatory issues and fleet/schedule cutbacks, it’s easy to lose sight of another near and long-term issue that the MRO industry has to face up to: a possible shortage of qualified mechanics and other skilled labor. Some analysts predict that this will be a major constraint in the near future, and will be especially critical with having enough staff knowledgeable on older, legacy systems and equipment. Experts will discuss strategies to reverse this ominous trend and maintain an adequate supply of skilled technical staff.
Moderator: John Goglia, SR VP, JDA Aviation Technology Solutions
Klaus Schmidt-Klyk, Director Marketing, Sales & Customer Service, Lufthansa Technical Training
B2—Purchasing/Supply Chain [Supply Chain Super Session]
B3—Engine Advances Next-Gen Engines and Upgrade Programs For Commercial Aircraft And The Implications For MRO.
Cutting-edge new technologies and the mandate for greater fuel efficiency will define the engines of tomorrow. Of particular interest to many airlines are which propulsion technologies will power the new generation of single-aisle aircraft and how much will they reduce fuel burn—cutting costs, emissions and noise. An example is Pratt & Whitney’s Geared Turbofan engine, one of the first out of the box. Learn the details about the new engines and technologies and upgrade programs the engine OEMs are working on, and what the new propulsion system technologies will mean for MRO operators and suppliers. Will MROs have to retool, retrain, even totally rethink their engine operations? If you are involved in commercial aircraft propulsion from the airline, OEM or MRO side of the industry, this is a session you cannot afford to miss.
Moderator: Kevin Michaels, Principal, AeroStrategy
Bob Saia, VP, Pratt & Whitney Next Generation Product Family Jim Roberts, UPS Airlines
Mark Pearson, General Manager, Advanced Technology and Preliminary Design, GE Aviation
12:15 p.m. – 1:00
OEM Update.
At this perennial favorite, delegates will be presented with the latest MRO-related and other cutting-edge information from the industry’s largest airframe OEMs. (all tracks)
Moderator: Ed Hazelwood, Editor-in-Chief, AVIATION WEEK Conferences
John Linn, Managing Director & COO, Embraer Aircraft Customer Services
John Dickie, VP, Strategy and Services Development, Airbus North America
Conference adjourns for the day
1:00 – 3:00
Lunch in the Exhibition Hall
Thursday, April 23
8:00 – 8:10
Welcome and Introductions (all tracks)
Ed Hazelwood, Editor-In-Chief Conferences, AVIATION WEEK
8:10-8:45 a.m.
Keynote presentation (all tracks)
8:45 – 10:00
Customer Speak-Out –
In this new general session, the final word is: what does the customer want? What are the expectations, needs and challenges faced by the airlines, fractional and business operators, and other buyers of OEM equipment and MRO services and products? Forget the fluff: This session will feature airline and other customers who will present a cold, hard look at what value propositions and services are most important to them—and suppliers and operators need to listen! (all tracks)
Moderator: Frank Jackman, Editorial Director, Overhaul & Maintenance
Dave Ramage, VP Technical Operations, JetBlue Airways
9:30
Exhibition Hall Open (9:30 -- 3:00)
10:00-10:15
Coffee break
10:15-11:15
Concurrent track sessions C
C1 – MRO Trends From the Outside Looking In: Wall Street Rates MRO.
Financial analysts return to the MRO venue to offer their insights and opinions on the financial state of the commercial aviation and MRO industries. Much has changed since last year’s session, so you won’t want to miss what these Wall Street insiders have to say about our industry.
Moderator: Robin Wohnsigl, President, RW Aviation Advisors
W. Gary Fleming, Jr., Director and Principal, LIATI Group, LLC
Ned Flynn, Managing Director, DEPFA First Albany Securities LLC
C2—Interiors Green Aviation and the Role of Aircraft Interiors.
No part of the commercial aviation industry is immune to the overriding mandate to reduce fuel consumption and reduce emissions. As airline management looks for ways to further reduce fuel burn and comply with environmental regulations, the role of lighter, more environmentally-friendly interiors designs and materials will continue to increase in importance. In this forward-looking session, you will hear from aircraft interiors experts on the newest materials and designs that meet this criteria, as well as ways to streamline existing cabins.
Moderator: Jennifer Clay, author and consultant, JetLinerCabins.com
C3—Engine Advances Advances in Engine Prognostics.
The commercial aviation industry has made great strides in advancing from engine diagnostics (what is wrong with it?) to prognostics (how much longer will it last?). An increasing percentage of commercial engines are being actively monitored as predictive diagnostics, or health management, has been getting more sophisticated and available. Come find out where the science and technology of engine prognostics is headed, and how you can best leverage and utilize the expanding capability of prognostic software. This session will also look at how and whether engine prognostics can be more widely and practically used by airlines, and by more and smaller MRO operators.
Moderator: Mike Mecham, Northern California Bureau Chief, Aviation Week & Space Technology
Link Jaw, Founder and President, Scientific Monitoring, Inc.
11:15 – 12:15
Concurrent track sessions D
D1—MRO Trends Regulatory Compliance in the Digital Age.
Most FAA rules and regulations were written in expectation of a paper environment. Yet, in an era of e-documentation, e-reporting, laptops, PDAs, Internet, etc., technology has overtaken the paper trail. How do airlines and MRO operators continue to move to an electronic environment while at the same time satisfying the FAA and complying with the FARs? What are the issues and concerns, and what can all parties do to assure compliance while still migrating to digital systems? Furthermore, does the new electronic technology really cost less and speed things up? Come hear what the experts have to say about these and other digital/regulatory topics.
Moderator: Mark Yerger,VP, Engineering, Federal Express
D2—Interiors
D3 –Purchasing/Supply Chain Inventory Ownership and Management: Trends and Costs.
Many operators are increasingly reluctant to have large inventories on their balance sheets, and so are turning to other alternatives such as pooling, consignment, leasing, and total care agreements. Find out which methods are having the most success and which are not, and how partnerships between the operator and supplier can help manage the risks inherent in inventory ownership and management. Learn how product reliability impacts inventory ownership. Hear from industry experts on cost issues associated with inventory ownership, such as leaning actions by the supplier that could increase costs--as well as product delivery and reliability—to the operator.
Moderator: Chris Doan, President & CEO, TeamSAI
Tom Anderson, SVP Technical Operations, Virgin America
Gary Appling, Vice President Technical Services and Purchasing, Mesa Air Group
Johannes Bussmann, SVP, Aircraft Component Services, Lufthansa Technik
D4—Engine Advances Fleet Adjustments and the Impact on Engine MRO.
In order to cut costs, many airlines are making adjustments to their aircraft fleet, including early retirement of aircraft, short-term “parking,” sales to smaller operators, etc. This will in turn have a great impact on MRO schedules and servicing. How can MROs prepare for and analyze the impact that changing fleet dynamics will have on their engine MRO business? Is there an upside to fleet adjustments? Will some engines become more prevalent than others, and will there be some new customers from more distant and/or different operators? The realities of the commercial aviation industry are such that MRO businesses must be prepared for all scenarios, including a changing mix of engine MRO work due to fleet adjustments. The need for this session could not have been anticipated several years ago, but smart MROs will now want to learn about how coming fleet changes will affect their engine business.
Moderator: Jonathan Berger, VP – Technical Services, SH&E
Matthew Bromberg, VP, Product Line Management, Pratt & Whitney
12:15 – 1:00
FAA Open Discussion.
At this one-of-a-kind session, delegates have the opportunity to hear from and interact with FAA’s top regulatory officials in the maintenance arena. Find out what regulations might be coming down the pike for the MRO industry, and take advantage of the interaction to discuss the key regulatory issues for both airlines and MRO service providers and suppliers. (all tracks)
Moderator: Ed Hazelwood, Editor-in-Chief, Conferences, AVIATION WEEK
John Hickey, Director, Aircraft Certification Services, FAA
Jim Sokol, VP Maintenance and Engineering, Southwest Airlines
