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
«Navigating the Future of Commercial Aviation: How Market Evolution Is Redefining and Impacting the Pilot’s Role»
Bruna Mitraud, International Development Manager at SAAM Verspieren Group, and Eric Burgy, Corporate Jet Captain and famous French youtuber "Rico Pilot"
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
15:40-16:00
«Pilot Opportunities at Etihad Airways»
Ethan Newman, Pilot Recruitment Manager at Etihad Airways
16:00-16:20
«From People to Performance»
Thomas Forster, Head of Fleet A320 at Lufthansa City Airlines
16:20-16:40
«Cargolux - Taking You Further»
Fabian Mattern, B747 Captain, TRI, LTC, Selection Board Member and Recruitment Coordinator at Cargolux Airlines
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
«Mental Endurance, Stress Recovery & Cognitive Stability in the Long Run»
Daiana Dajulescu, A320 First Officer, Public Speaker and Pilot Expo Ambassador
11:10-11:30
«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
11:30-11:50
«From Assessment to Line Operations: Building the Leaders»
Fabian Mattern, B747 Captain, TRI, LTC, Selection Board Member and Recruitment Coordinator at Cargolux Airlines
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
«Home is Wherever We Land: Pilots Who Live Worldwide»
Carlota Tutor Vizcaino, First Officer, and Luis Galindo Torres, First Officer, Avion Express
16:00-16:20
«Airline / Recruiter presentation C»
16:20-16:40
«Airline / Recruiter presentation D»
FUTURE PILOTS
Friday 20/02/2026
MORNING SESSION: THE FUTURE OF PILOTING & THE MARKET AHEAD
10:30-10:40
Welcome Remarks
10:40-11:10
«Pilot Demand vs. Training Capacity»
George Triantafyllidis, Chief Commercial Officer of Egnatia Aviation
11:10-11:40
«Inside a Modern Flight Academy: What Training Really Looks Like in 2026»
Kasper Valgren, Head of Global Sales and Marketing at Flightlogger
11:40-12:00
«AI in the Cockpit: What Skills Will Pilots Need in 2035»
Speaker TBA
MIDDAY SESSION: TRAINING STRATEGY, REALITY & CAREER DECISIONS
13:00-13:20
«From Zero to Hero – a Guide to Succesful Pilot Training»
Capt. Kay Wachtelborn, CEO of SKY4u Aviation Services
13:20-13:40
«A Survivor’s Guide to the Cadet Program Selection Process»
Pieter Brantegem, B747 pilot and CEO of Skywings
13:40-14:00
«Tips From an Active Pilot on How to Choose Your Employer»
Capt. Lars Frontini, Chair of the European Cockpit Association Industrial Working Group
14:00-14:20
«Safeguarding Health in the Air and at Work: The Attentia Aviation Medical Approach»
Dr. Brigitte De Geyter, Head of AeMc, and Dr. Farah Maamer, Team Leader, Attentia Aviation Medical
AFTERNOON SESSION: FLIGHT SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS #1
15:10-15:30
«Flying on Merit: Transforming Pilot Training Through Inclusive Access»
Andy McFarlane, CEO and Founder of Leading Edge Aviation
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
«From Passenger to Cargo Pilot»
Joe Diebolder, B747 pilot and famous youtuber "Captain Joe"
11:10-12:00
Panel Discussion «From Dream to Cockpit – Real Aviation Journeys, Real Challenges»
Panel members: Daiana Dajulescu, A320 FO (@dajulescudaiana), Adam Tahiri, student pilot (@_flywithadam) and Zacharias Besinis, student pilot (@harrybesinis)
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
«Why Airlines Put Their Trust in Us»
Miroslav Srnec, B777 Captain, B737 TRI/TRE, and Head of Training at F Air, Krista Vandermeulen, CEO at WECAIR
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»
15:20-15:40
Hillsboro Aero Academy – Flight training in the US
Axel Schmitz, Director of Business Development at Hillsboro Aero Academy
15:40-16:00
«Emirates Flight Training Academy»
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»
