Captain Jacques Drappier, senior training adviser for Airbus, and Othman Al Khoori, vice president human resources administration for Abu Dhabi Airports, are the latest speakers to be confirmed for the first annual Gulf Aviation Training Event (GATE 2011), which takes place on 14-15 November at Dubai Airport Expo during the show.

The conference is aimed at addressing the issues facing Middle East airlines as they attempt to identify, acquire, train and deploy the pilots necessary to meet their rapid expansion plans for the next five years.

Speakers are already confirmed from organisations including Flydubai and Pan Am International Flight Academy.

"The aviation industry is facing an unprecedented challenge," said keynote speaker William Voss, president and CEO of the US-based Flight Safety Foundation, who joins Captain Randolph Babbitt, administrator of the US FAA, on the podium.

"We have upgraded technologies while neglecting the development of the people who need to use them," Voss added. "That leaves us in a very tough position as we struggle to develop a massive new generation of aviation."

The conference will culminate in the publishing of the first annual GATE memorandum, a statement of position on current airline training-related issues from those delegates attending the conference.

"Exchanging ideas on how to select for the right skills and train large numbers effectively is something that should be encouraged between airlines; GATE offers just such an opportunity," said Lee Woodward, director of business development for CTC Aviation.

"This promises to be a conference with a difference - the panel discussions are targeted to evoke discussion, to challenge processes and develop innovative solutions to support our industry's future plans," he added.

The GATE Pavilion, which is showcasing flight training institutes in one of the show halls, has recently welcomed two new exhibitors - Horizon Flight Academy and Spatial Composites.

Delegates wishing to participate in GATE 2011 will also have access to the full five days of the Dubai Airshow.

Source: Flight Daily News

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