2017 Altitude Pitchers & Keynote Speaker

Aviation/Aerospace Australia would like to introduce you to Altitude; a unique and innovative event where Australia’s future strategic leaders will share their ideas on shaping the future of the aviation and aerospace industry sectors.

Since its launch in 2010, Aviation/Aerospace Australia (A/AA) has developed and successfully delivered many important initiatives and programs for the Aviation and Aerospace sectors in Australia. Supported by industry and government, the organisation has generated widespread national interest, and established a significant network of global relationships and formal domestic and international partnerships. These include a range of new programs focused on developing our future industry leaders through the A/AA NextGenNetwork initiative. The Altitude event is one of those programs.

Picture a fast-paced late afternoon of 7 six-minute idea pitches by the brightest future aviation/aerospace leaders in Australia, a keynote presentation from Scott Harris, Head of Aerospace Programs Australia, from Northrup Grumman Australia, followed by a dynamic post-event networking experience. Expect to engage with a high-level audience of leaders, policy-makers, and the broader aviation/aerospace community in a forum that is focused on the future, by future leaders.

And don’t expect a usual conference presentation – presentations will be dynamic, rapid, to-the-point, and hard-hitting.


The theme this year is Digitalisation and Aviation 4.0 with the following presentations from NextGen professionals:

/ A trusted drone traffic management system for Australia
  Suraj Bijjahalli, Masters student, RMIT University  

/ A differentiated model for inbound baggage handling at airports
  Ahamed Ashik Koottappilakkal, Postgraduate in Aerospace & Aviation, RMIT University

/ Connecting & shaping aviation
  Lit Feng Loh, Engineering Technology (Aerospace) Student at RMIT University

/ Fly by no wire
  Meaghan Munro, Aerospace Engineering Student, Monash University

/ Why Australia needs an operational SBAS
  Julia Mitchell, SBAS Testbed Program Manager, CRC for Spatial Information

/ Dynamic Airspace Management: A new paradigm in aviation
  Niveditha Premlal, Aerospace Engineering Student, RMIT University

/ Necessity: The mother of Innovation
  Claire Watson, Aerospace Engineering Student, Monash University

/ Keynote speaker: 
  Scott Harris, Head of Aerospace Programs Australia - Northrop Grumman Australia


Introducing Keynote Speaker

Scott Harris, Head of Aerospace Programs Australia, Northrop Grumman Australia

Scott joined the Australian Army Aviation Corps in 1980, serving 30 years as a soldier then officer culminating in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Scott’s last ten years in the Army was serving as an officer in the Defence Material Organisation working delivering the Chinook Helicopter and then the Tiger Helicopter capabilities to Army Aviation. His final appointment was as the Training Systems and Transition Manager responsible for the delivery of all Tiger training systems as well as transitioning the Tiger capability into Through Life Support or sustainment. Scott was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal during the 2008 Australia Day Awards for ‘Meritorious achievement in the acquisition of helicopter systems for the Australian Army’.

In 2009, Scott accepted the appointment as Program Director for the Airbus A330-200 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Program for Qantas Airlines Limited. In January 2011, Scott was appointed as the Head of Qantas Defence Services (QDS) and in August 2012, Scott was appointed as the Head of Customer Business. QDS was acquired by Northrop Grumman (NG) in February 2014. The business was renamed Integrated Defence Services part of Northrop Grumman Australia. In August 2014, Scott was appointed as Head of Aerospace Programs Australia representing NG’s Aerospace Systems sector in Australia and the region in close consultation with NG’s Chief Executive for Australia, Ian Irving. Scott has a Masters Degree in Engineering Science (Project Management) and a Masters Degree in Management Studies both awarded from the University of New South Wales in 2002. Scott is also an accredited Certified Practising Project Director within the Australian Institute of Project Managers framework and a Justice of the Peace. 
 

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