Rotary Wing Webinar - Emergency Services and Defence

Date: Thursday 21, April 2022

Time: 3pm - 4:30pm via Zoom

The role of rotary-wing aircraft in emergency services and defence is integral. By design, rotary-wing aircraft have an advantage in the ability to access difficult terrain, evacuate injured people with vertical take-off and landing technology, and transport resources and supplies to remote areas.

Rotary-wing aircraft provide support and increased capability in times of disaster relief. The reliance on the pilot and crew to navigate any safety concerns, external environmental factors and the changing nature of a crisis speaks to the depth of understanding and experience required for the success of a mission.

With a classic rotor helicopter being made up of hundreds of components, there is an absolute reliance on the individuals and organisations charged with maintenance, servicing and routine replacement of parts to perform proficiently and attentively. As a result, the efficient management of rotary-wing aircraft and their role in disaster relief encourages strong supply-chain relationships within industry and beyond. 

Throughout their careers A/AA's Rotary Wing Webinar Speakers have stepped up to the challenges faced within the industry and across Australia. The lessons learned in managing disaster relief and in engaging with essential supply chain relationships have shaped the pathways of the rotary-wing aircraft, and their careers.

Join us for the A/AA Rotary Wing Webinar - Emergency Services & Defence to listen to industry leaders speak about their experiences in an engaging panel discussion around the lessons learned, and role of, rotary-wing aircraft in disaster relief.

Industry Speakers:

/ CMDR Andrew Willett, RAN | Logistics Officer at Headquarters Fleet Air Arm

/ Mitchell Emmerton | Maintenance Operations Manager at Sikorsky Australia

Mitchell has over 17 years Seahawk deeper maintenance experience, with 10 years on the S70B-2 and 7 years on the MH-60R Program he is responsible for all of SAAL’s Maintenance Operations for the MH60-R platform. Mitchell joined SAAL in 2014 and led the first group of Romeo maintainers to be trained in the CONUS to ensure the correct maintenance skills were obtained to support the Romeo Fleet in-country for the RAN.

He then led the first PMI team in Australia and progressed to become Hangar Manager in 2017 and then Quality Operations Manager in 2019. Mitchell holds various qualifications in Human Factors Leadership, Management and Quality. He is also a Chartered Aerospace Engineer Associate with Engineers Australia and is a Fellow member of the Australian Institute of leadership and management. 

Mitchell has been recognised by Lockheed Martin Australia receiving awards for full spectrum leadership in both 2017 and 2019 for outstanding leadership of the Maintenance teams on the MH60-R program.

/ Thomas House | Chief Pilot and Head of Flying Operations at Babcock Mission Critical Services Australia

Tom House is the Chief Pilot for Babcock Mission Critical Services Australia. Tom has been with Babcock for over seven years, and in addition to his duties and responsibilities as Chief Pilot, Tom conducts occasional line pilot duties, flying AW139 helicopters in support of Babcock’s contract with Ambulance Victoria. Tom also performs check pilot and simulator instructor and examiner duties on the AW139 helicopter.

Tom has been flying helicopters for over 20 years, with experience flying search and rescue, aeromedical, and airborne law enforcement operations in support of various state and commonwealth government agencies including Victoria Police, Ambulance Service of NSW, and the RAAF.

/ Yvette Lutze | Chief Commercial Officer at LifeFlight Australia

Long a visible champion of establishing safer and more diverse and inclusive work environments, Yvette is a 26-year veteran of the aviation industry. Starting as a civilian helicopter pilot in the remote Kimberley Region in Western Australia, Yvette’s career has evolved to include flying operations in the onshore and offshore environments including Search and Rescue, Medical Transport, Oil and Gas and Training sectors. ?Yvette's career diversified into the development and implementation of complex aviation regulatory governance for CASA, including having led the introduction of Night Vision Imaging Systems for civil helicopter operations in Australia.  ?

In addition to operational flying roles, her experience includes the management of complex oil and gas and aeromedical aviation portfolios, an aviation Technical Authority for oil and gas organizations, provision of subject matter expertise within the aviation realm, and end-to-end contract management, including strategy, procurement, award, mobilization, oversight, and demobilization. 

Through this work, she received a special recognition for her contribution to aviation safety and outstanding management of high-risk contracts, whilst maximizing performance and creating collaborative teams. Yvette is now the Chief Commercial Officer for LifeFlight Australia, an organisation that specialises in the delivery of aeromedical emergency, lifesaving medical care to seriously ill and injured patients throughout Australia and the world.

Moderator:

/ Kristen Raby | Land Domain IWP Portfolio Manager at Nova Systems ANZ

Kristen Raby is the Land Domain IWP Portfolio Manager for Nova Systems ANZ, an Australian-owned Professional Services firm with locations throughout Australia, and offices in New Zealand, Singapore, Norway and the UK. Nova Systems specialises in the provision of engineering and management services to government and industry. Within Australia, Kristen’s team of Operations Managers, HR, and Recruitment leads over 500 consultants, working in highly challenging environments, and spanning the breadth of Defence Elements, Defence Industry, Digital Solutions, Transport, and E&R Domains. 

A Chartered Professional Engineer and Engineering Executive, Kristen has consulted as a Flight Test Engineer on the Australian Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Program and been involved in numerous Aviation and Aerospace Programs. She worked as both the Victorian Operations Manager and the Regional Operations Manager – VIC, SA, WA in Nova, before becoming the General Manager in 2019.

Kristen involved in a number of Industry Associations and Technical Organisations within Australia. She is a Director of Aviation/Aerospace Australia, the NEC, and the Australian Defence Alliance – Victoria, volunteering with the Alliance on the Aerospace, Digital and Land Committees. Before joining Nova, Kristen Raby spent 13 years in the Canadian Air force as an Aerospace Engineering Officer and Flight Test Engineer.

She was selected as the first female in Canada to attend Test Pilot school at EPNER in France, and as a Flight Test Engineer, amassed hours on over 30 different aircraft types and supported flight test programs on the Hornet, Hawk and Harvard aircraft. She was a finalist in the 2017 Telstra Business Women’s Awards.

More speakers to be announced.

 The Australian Government's Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 'Women in the Aviation Industry Initiative' is the Principal Partner of Aviation/Aerospace Australia.

Who is invited?
In the spirit of keeping everyone connected, A/AA would like to extend complimentary attendance to all, not limited to our members.

Not an A/AA, NGN or WA/AA member? 
CLICK HERE to JOIN NOW! 

How to join the NGN Professional Online?
This event will be accessed via Zoom link that will be emailed upon registration. If you need further information please contact us at [email protected].