After a career spanning roles from air traffic control to cabin crew, Donahue Cortes founded Crawley-based Active Solutions Consulting Group, offering training, consultancy, management and auditing solutions to airlines
What does Active Solutions Consulting Group do?
We offer training, consultancy, management and auditing solutions to worldwide airlines. Our Active Aviation Training brand specialises in the delivery of third-party services using either customised training with our own materials, or programmes provided by our customers. This includes flight and cabin crew initial, conversion and recurrent training, and we also provide courses for training instructors in a variety of disciplines. Our offices are near London Gatwick.
 |
|---|
Cortes: offering impartial, independent and flexible services to airlines |
What does your role involve?
As chief executive my main objectives are to ensure we are operating as a well orchestrated and motivated team that can deliver the results customers would expect. A large part of my role is to strategise, implement operational decisions and drive the business with a strong vision for effective communication around service and quality-driven results.
How did your career evolve before taking this job?
As an 18-year-old I was awarded a scholarship to become an air traffic controller, which was my ambition at the time. Restrictions with my eyesight led to a change in career focus, so I studied a variety of aviation-related subjects while I looked into a new career path. This led to a cabin crew job, which soon progressed from flying duties into training and then managerial work. Consultancy type assignments led me to the creation and the development of our current organisation.
What does a typical day involve?
Typical days and customised services do not generally go together. Every day is very different and at any time we could have a range of activities going on across different countries and locations.
However, I dedicate my time to dealing with our three key operational areas - "people, products and customers". Team management and communication forms a main part of my oversight in the area of "people", while service delivery, marketing progress and quality assurance directs my focus on "products" and "customers".
I have a strong philosophy towards ensuring high performance objectives are continually achieved and enhanced. Quite often I work closely with our teams and customers, enabling a "hands-on approach" that facilitates my appreciation and understanding of everyone's needs.
How has the market changed?
The focus on cost efficiency and added value is more evident than ever. Airlines are seeking value added, rather than just cost benefits through third-party solutions.
This means that we have had to add more value by offering ancillary tasks. From the management of simulator facilities, to the production of training records, and the organisation of transport and accommodation for those attending training, the change in the needs of the market has created new opportunities for us.
What is the outlook?
In the short term the industry is now more focused on speaking to companies such as ours, not only from an expertise point of view, but also as a cost-benefit solution. Recently we became the UK's first fully independent approved training body for the EU Ops 1 Cabin Crew Initial Attestation and this is opening a new avenue of enquiries.
The long-term outlook is very much going to be driven by technology and how training changes with the development of equipment and resources. Changes to training legislation for aircrew also herald new opportunities.
Best part of the job?
Working with an amazing team of dedicated colleagues and, of course, interacting with a variety of people, cultures, products and services.
Source: Flight International
