ACES
Friday 20/02/2026
MORNING SESSION: PILOT RECRUITMENT & WORKFORCE EVOLUTION
10:30-10:40
Welcome Remarks
10:40-11:00
«Pilot Recruitment Trends 2026»
Dean O’Sullivan, Associate Director of AeroProfessional
11:00-11:20
«Building a Long-Term Pilot Career in a Changing Aviation Landscape»
Aurore Bothorel, International Account Manager at Resource Group
11:20-11:40
«Landing the Job: A Practical Guide to Pilot Recruitment, Selection and Avoiding Common Pitfalls»
Caroline Rosney, Aviation Business Development Manager, Nobox HR
11:40-12:00
«AI-Driven Hiring: What Pilot Selection May Look Like in 2030»
speaker TBA
12:00-12:20
Questions and Answers
MIDDAY SESSION: AIRLINE / RECRUITER PRESENTATIONS #1
13:30-13:50
«Ryanair - a World of Endless Career Opportunities»
Mark Duffy, Director of Talent at Ryanair
13:50-14:10
«Aviation Sustainability Career Pathways — ERAU MSc Programme»
Dr. Eva Maleviti, Assistant Professor, Embry-Riddle
14:10-14:30
«Together — To New Heights!»
Yiğid Acar, HR Business Partner & Talent Acquisition Senior Manager at Sunexpress
14:30-14:50
«From One Base to Nine Countries — Career at Europe’s Largest Emergency Flight Organisation»
Capt. Alex Stobo, Group Flight Operations and Standards Director at Avincis
14:50-15:10
«Emirates Airline»
AFTERNOON SESSION: AIRLINE / RECRUITER PRESENTATIONS #2
16:00-16:20
«From People to Performance»
Thomas Forster, Head of Fleet A320 at Lufthansa City Airlines
16:20-16:40
«Cargolux»
16:40-17:00
«Airline / Recruiter presentation A»
17:00-17:20
«Airline / Recruiter presentation B»
Saturday 21/02/2026
MORNING SESSION: BEYOND FLYING — THE LEADERSHIP PILOT
10:30-10:50
«Beyond Flying: Becoming the Safety Leader in the Sky»
Capt. Paul Reuter, Vice-President, European Cockpit Association
10:50-11:10
«Professional Judgement Under Pressure: What Defines a Captain-Level Mindset?»
speaker TBA
11:10-11:30
«Mental Endurance, Stress Recovery & Cognitive Stability in the Long Run»
speaker TBA
11:30-11:50
«Competencies That Matter in Business Aviation: Preparing for the Life, Assessments and Interview Boards»
Capt. Laszlo Rozgonyi, Business Jet Line Training Captain, Airbus A320 TRI, Head of CTK LAB
11:50-12:10
Questions and Answers
MIDDAY SESSION: TRUST IN TRANSITION
13:30-14:30
Panel discussion «Has the global security situation changed how the pilot profession is perceived? What’s different now in training, recruitment & public perception?»
Moderator — Laura Frommberg, Editor-in-Chief, aeroTELEGRAPH
AFTERNOON SESSION: AIRLINE PRESENTATIONS #3
15:00-15:20
«Join the Flight — Discover Life as a Wizz Air Pilot»
Capt. Evy Van Gansen & Capt. Nikki Janssen, Wizz Air
15:20-15:40
«The Modern Pilot: One Cockpit, Two Worlds»
Sandra Diaso, Head of Human Resources, KlasJet
15:40-16:00
«Airline / Recruiter presentation D»
16:00-16:20
«Airline / Recruiter presentation E»
16:20-16:40
«Airline / Recruiter presentation F»
FUTURE PILOTS
Friday 20/02/2026
MORNING SESSION: THE FUTURE OF PILOTING & THE MARKET AHEAD
10:30-10:40
Welcome Remarks
10:40-11:00
«Pilot Demand vs. Training Capacity»
George Triantafyllidis, Chief Commercial Officer of Egnatia Aviation
11:00-11:20
«Inside a Modern Flight Academy: What Training Really Looks Like in 2026»
Kasper Valgren, Head of Global Sales and Marketing at Flightlogger
11:20-11:40
«AI in the Cockpit: What Skills Will Pilots Need in 2035»
Speaker TBA
11:40-12:00
Questions and Answers
MIDDAY SESSION: TRAINING STRATEGY, REALITY & CAREER DECISIONS
13:30-13:50
«From Zero to Hero – a Guide to Succesful Pilot Training»
Capt. Kay Wachtelborn, CEO of SKY4u Aviation Services
13:50-14:10
«A Survivor’s Guide to the Cadet Program Selection Process»
Pieter Brantegem, B747 pilot and CEO of Skywings
14:10-14:30
«Tips From an Active Pilot on How to Choose Your Employer»
Capt. Lars Frontini, Chair of the European Cockpit Association Industrial Working Group
14:30-14:50
Questions and Answers
AFTERNOON SESSION: FLIGHT SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS #1
15:30-15:50
«Careers in Aviation: Opportunities at KlasJet»
Sandra Diaso, Head of Human Resources, KlasJet
15:50-16:10
«Grow with Egnatia Aviation»
Capt. Hugues Carpentier, Head of Training at Egnatia Aviation
16:10-16:30
«Ryanair Future Flyer Academy at Bartolini Air»
Nuno Nogueira, Deputy Head of Training, Bartolini Air
16:30-16:50
«How to Become a Pilot – Wizz Air Pilot Academy»
Nikki Janssen, Captain at Wizz Air
16:50-17:10
«From Cadet to Captain – Your Premium Flight Training With AAA Quality»
Dr. Oliver Karall, CEO & Capt. Thomas Schindler, Head of Training, Austrian Aviation Academy
17:10-17:30
«5 Reasons Why Avion Express is the Smart Start»
Agne Dilyte-Sund, Crew People & Culture Recruitment Specialist at Avion Express
17:30-17:50
«Becoming a pilot within Europe's largest Airline Group»
Daniel Eisen, Sales Manager at European Flight Academy
Saturday 21/02/2026
MORNING SESSION: PURPOSE, DRIVE & PERSONAL JOURNEYS
10:30-10:50
«From Desk Job to A320/B737: Reinventing a Career»
Capt. Jakub Benke, Shareholder of Bartolini Air
10:50-11:10
«Understanding Airmanship: Lessons from Airline, Military, and Business Aviation»
Capt. Laszlo Rozgonyi, Business Jet Line Training Captain, Airbus A320 TRI and Head of CTK LAB
11:10-11:30
«Finding Purpose in Aviation — Motivation Through Setbacks & Hard Training»
speaker TBA
11:30-11:50
Questions and Answers
MIDDAY SESSION: FLIGHT SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS #2
13:00-13:20
«Ryanair Future Flyer Academy – Gateway to Your Pilot Career»
Angelo Currao – Pilot Recruitment Manager of Ryanair
13:20-13:40
«Aviomar Flight Academy»
13:40-14:00
«Rethinking Pilot Training: Structure, Strategy, and Saving £30,000»
Harry Lyons, Managing Director at Mentored Modular
14:00-14:20
«How to Become a Pilot — Wizz Air Pilot Academy»
Capt. Nikki Janssen, TRI A320/A321 & Pilot Recruitment Assessor at Wizz Air
14:20-14:40
«Urbe Aero Flight Academy»
14:40-15:00
«Brussels Airlines Cadet Program with Skywings»
Pieter Brantegem, B747 Pilot and CEO of Skywings
15:00-15:20
«Regional Air School»
16:00-17:00
MEET & GREET EVENT
TECH MASTERS
Friday 20/02/2026
MORNING SESSION: STUDIES AND TRAINING
10:30-10:40
Welcome Remarks
10:40-11:10
«Start Your Path in Aircraft Maintenance — The Training Roadmap for AME Licenses»
Speaker TBA
11:10-11:40
«An Analysis of Global Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Licensing - EASA Part 66 vs. FAA A&P and Beyond»
Speaker TBA
11:40-12:10
«Diverse Career Paths and the Future of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering License»
Speaker TBA
MIDDAY SESSION: THE FUTURE
13:30-14:30
Panel discussion «How AI, Robotics, and Big Data are Reshaping the Role and Future Demand for Aircraft Engineers»
Participants TBA
AFTERNOON SESSION: AIRLINE, MRO, UNIVERSITY PRESENTATIONS #1
15:30-15:50
«Maintenance Engineering Positions: a Career with a Bright Future»
Managing Director of ASL Maintenance
15:50-16:10
«Endless Engineering Opportunities With Europe’s Favorite Airline»
Colm Judge, Recruitment Manager, Ryanair
16:10-16:30
«Airline / MRO / University presentation A»
16:40-17:00
«Airline / MRO / University presentation B»
17:00-17:20
«Airline / MRO / University presentation C»
Saturday 21/02/2026
MORNING SESSION: CAREERS ACROSS INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
10:30-11:00
«Career Growth, Skills and Lifestyle Differences in Airline vs MRO Engineering»
speaker TBA
11:00-11:30
«Vertical Flight & Versatility: Life as an AME for Helicopter Operators»
speaker TBA
11:30-12:00
«Beyond the Cockpit: Recognizing the Essential Role of Technicians in Flight Training»
Bartolini Air
12:00-12:30
«Remuneration Across Aviation Engineering»
speaker TBA
MIDDAY SESSION: AIRLINE, MRO, UNIVERSITY PRESENTATIONS #2
13:30-13:50
«Airline / MRO / University presentation D»
13:50-14:10
«Airline / MRO / University presentation E»
14:10-14:30
«Airline / MRO / University presentation F»
14:30-14:50
«Airline / MRO / University presentation G»
AFTERNOON SESSION: AIRLINE, MRO, UNIVERSITY PRESENTATIONS #3
15:30-15:50
«Airline / MRO / University presentation H»
15:50-16:10
«Airline / MRO / University presentation I»
16:10-16:30
«Airline / MRO / University presentation J»
