Jetrader - May/June 2011 - 8

ISTAT 28th Annual Conference Progress through innovation
Attendance numbers at the ISTAT 28th Annual Conference shot up more than 10 percent from last year’s event in Orlando, Florida, demonstrating increasing industry conﬁdence and investor interest. ISTAT boasted its largestever event as more than 1,300 attendees from 28 countries joined together in Scottsdale, Arizona, 13-15 March, 2011. The conference was held at the Westin Kierland Resort, also the site of the 2009 and upcoming 2012 conference. Conference Co-Chairs Joe Ozimek, Douglas Runte and Mike Skinner teamed up to bring a powerhouse event to attendees, which included presentations from inﬂuential industry leaders. As the industry continues to recover from the effects of the recession, the discussions focused on progress and growth through innovation spanning across all areas of commercial aviation—from the engine advancements of the A320neo to the development of alternative drop-in fuels, and growth in emerging markets of Brazil and China. U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator J. Randolph Babbitt opened the ﬁrst meeting day as the keynote speaker. Babbitt focused on the role of next generation technology in aviation, noting that, “This is a very exciting time in aviation. Together

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we are creating the template for a new system.” He spoke on how GPS, iPads, alternative fuels and other technological advances are the key to moving the industry forward. “Now is not the time to rest. Now is the right time to invest in safety and innovation,” he said. Babbitt indicated that moving these innovations into practice requires changes from the FAA, as well, including developing a streamlined approval process, removing built-in delays, ensuring quick integration of the navigational beneﬁts, and working closely with the industry and other countries to establish uniform standards. Other big hitters on day one were the airplane manufacturer’s presentations, including Airbus Vice President of Marketing Andy Shankland, President and CEO James Albaugh of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, President Gary Scott of Bombardier of Canada and Executive Vice President Paulo Silva of Embraer of Brazil. The manufacturers smoothly debated their unique product stances—Airbus answering some of the questions on their hotly anticipated A320neo. “The decision of the neo is not just strategy; it makes sound business sense for Airbus,” Shankland said. Boeing did not offer a clear decision Continued on p. 11
1 Gary Scott, President Commercial Aircraft, Bombardier Commercial: “It’s not enough to have a paper airplane that looks this good. It’s all about execution.” Adam Pilarski, Ph. D., Senior Vice President, AVITAS, speaks on The State of the Industry: “I believe Boeing will actually re-engine their plane. It’s related to strategy.” Andy Shankland, Vice President, Marketing, Airbus: “2010 was a very solid year. It was not just a year of recovery but a rebound year.” Jim Albaugh, President and Chief Executive Ofﬁcer, Boeing Commercial Airplanes: “We’re going to build tomorrow’s airplane while others build today’s airplane.

8 The ofﬁcial publication of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading

Jetrader - May/June 2011

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