Another successful year for the 2019 Isle of Man Aviation Conference

The 9th annual Isle of Man Aviation Conference took place on Thursday 27 June 2019. Organised by Martyn Fiddler Aviation and supported by the Isle of Man Aircraft Registry, the conference attracted over 140 delegates, representing 83 companies, from 17 countries.

The conference has become a key event for all business aviation industry professionals working in regulation, finance, tax, legal, operations, ownership and management. The conference provides a venue for the discussion of aviation issues and challenges facing the industry. It aims to showcase the Isle of Man as a centre of excellence for aviation expertise and a base for which high value business aircraft can be fully supported.

The success of the Aviation Conference reflects two key Isle of Man attributes: the strength and customer service of the Aircraft Registry (6^th largest business jet register in the world) and highly regulated and efficient services from the Island’s corporate service providers and advisors. The conference really showcases and reflects the Isle of Man team’s unique ethos towards business in terms of expertise, organisation, energy and charm.

Brian Richards of Sovereign Group commented: “There is one ‘must’ attend conference for me, and this is it! I have attended all 9 and look forward to the 10^th.”

The conference has a continuously high delegate return rate with 236 delegates having attended the conference two times or more.

Chris Mace of Dominvs Aviation Ltd (attending his 4^th consecutive year) also remarked: “This has become one of my most anticipated events in the aviation calendar. It has great content, very credible delegates from a wide range of aviation areas as well as interesting speakers and topics.”

Reflecting on this year’s conference and how the conference has evolved, Heather Gordon, Martyn Fiddler Aviation’s Legal Director, (pictured left) observed:

“We are incredibly grateful to our returning delegates; some who have been with us from the very beginning. Each year those who have been before spread the word and our newcomers often comment that they had to come and see for themselves what everyone has been talking about!
We pride ourselves on acting on our delegate’s feedback. We strive to improve the conference every year based on this; I think it’s one of the reasons the conference is such a success.”
James Moreton of Haywards Aviation praised the conferences growth stating that it has “gone from strength to strength, consistently delivering ‘on topic’ speakers and subjects”.

Feedback celebrated a high rating of 4.7 out of 5 for content. This year’s agenda took a natural focus (yet again) on the implications of Brexit and how Brexit is effecting business aviation; perspectives from various international jurisdictions on global uncertainty; and the evolution of aircraft operations in the current trading market. You can view the conference programme here.

Simon Williams, Director of Civil Aviation for the Isle of Man opened the conference with an Isle of Man Aircraft Registry update, vowing to continue to raise the profile of the Aircraft Registry amid a ‘challenging climate’ in the industry. He acknowledging that every industry has fluctuations: “currently there are trade wars, there are tariffs, political uncertainty and there is Brexit”. Williams showed robust optimism for the industry and assured the audience that it is business as usual for the M register, celebrating the fact that they had registered 22 aircraft in only a matter of a few months.
Graham Williamson, CEO of Sonas Aviation did an exceptional job as conference chair for the second year running. He was, as Michael Harris of Jet Support commended “outstanding”. The event ended with a sing song along to ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”, led by the chairman and Synergy Aviation’s Dave Edwards. Please click here to see the conference video.

Following the main event, delegates were welcomed to the Rushen Abbey. Located in Ballasalla, the Abbey was originally home for monks of the Savignac order and the politically most important site on the Isle of Man in the medieval times. The Abbey served as the perfect setting to network and indulge in a little Manx heritage. Blessed with the glorious Manx sunshine delegates were able to enjoy a buffet style dinner and an alcoholic beverage outside in the venues beautiful grounds.

Over the years the conference has become famous for its unique networking opportunities. Martyn Fiddler Aviation try their best to showcase the Isle of Man’s beautiful, quaint landscape and introduce their guests to its Manx heritage. Simon Davies from Global Jet Aviation stated that “the networking events mean this is a ‘cannot miss’ event” whilst another delegate claimed the “networking is by far the best I’ve been to”.

The Martyn Fiddler Aviation team would like to pay a huge thanks to everyone who attended and supported this year’s event. We really hope everyone will join us again next year to celebrate our 10 year anniversary!

We will be releasing a date for next year’s conference shortly so do keep an eye on our conference website and follow the hashtag #iomaviationconference on LinkedIn for all the latest updates.

Watch this space…

Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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