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With the aviation industry’s rapid growth and increasing market demands, it is crucial to foster a culture where humans and technology work in synergy. The ALTA Aviation Safety, Flight Ops and Training Summit 2025 will invite reflection, collaboration, and the implementation of solutions that ensure safe, sustainable, and forward-looking air transport, always keeping humans at the heart of safety and operational excellence.
The ALTA Aviation Safety, Flight Ops & Training Summit will be a unique meeting for all professionals who dedicate themselves daily to seeking the highest levels of aviation safety and operational standards in the region.
After a successful Pilot Training Connect in September 2023, which was the first event of its kind in the Latin America and Caribbean region, the pilot training discussion will be joined again by ALTA’s long time recognized Aviation Safety Summit, which incorporated Flight Operations aspects at its latest event in June 2024, thus integrating all airline operational aspects at a single event.
Safety, Flight Operations, and Aviation Training professionals from different sectors of the industry will come together to discuss current and relevant topics in these areas. Representatives of airlines, manufacturers, civil aviation authorities, airports, air traffic control organizations, aviation schools, associations, training facilities as well as other sectors of the industry will be present.
Join us in 2025!
The ALTA Aviation Safety, Flight Ops & Training Summit will be held in Mexico City, 10-12 of June 2025.
(Taken from the survey conducted after the 2024 event)
Japan Airlines
Archer Aviation
PROSIM
Human Factor expert
American Airlines
Aeromexico Connect
Salient
Aircraft Performance Specialist
Aviation Safety
Training Consultant
TRU Simulation
Mexico City, or Ciudad de México, is the capital of Mexico and the most populated city in North America. It’s a global cultural and financial hub, and one of the world’s largest cities. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban settlements in the Western Hemisphere, and it is ranked as one of the world’s most populous metropolitan areas. One of the few major cities not located along the banks of a river, it lies in an inland basin called the Valley of Mexico, or Mesa Central.
Vance is an aviation professional with 20+ years of experience in the field. He is an FAA ATP licensed pilot with 5,000 hours of total flight time across a wide range of aircraft. He was employed by Republic Airways (formerly Chautauqua Airlines) from 2004-2008 as a captain on the Embraer 145 before transitioning to the pilot training industry.
Vance worked for FlightSafety International beginning in 2008 as a simulator instructor on the Cessna Citation XLS series of aircraft before overseeing the Courseware Development department for all Cessna products.
Vance came to TRU simulation in 2014 to manage the Courseware Development team. He received Textron’s highest honor, the Chairman’s Award for Innovation, in 2016 for the development of the world’s first online training course certified by the FAA to allow ground school type-rating currency training to be completed entirely online.
In 2016, Vance stood up TRU’s first international training center in collaboration with Bell Helicopter in Valencia, Spain and oversaw its operations until 2019. He returned to the US in 2019 where he currently serves as the Director of Sales and Customer Service overseeing all simulator sales for the business.
Vance holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Studies from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Captain Michael Varney is a globally recognised leader in aviation training and the originator of the Evidence-Based Training (EBT) concept. With a distinguished career spanning military, commercial, regulatory, and industry roles, Captain Varney brings a wealth of experience to the field of pilot training and safety. He began his aviation career flying the Buccaneer aircraft in the Royal Air Force before transitioning to commercial aviation as a Boeing 757/767 commander. He later joined the UK Civil Aviation Authority, where he contributed to operations oversight, training regulation, and international rulemaking with the Joint Aviation Authorities. He has also flown multiple Airbus types, including the A319, A320, A321, and A330. Captain Varney held senior management roles at both Boeing (Alteon) and Airbus in Toulouse. As Airbus’s Senior Director of Training Development, he was pivotal in shaping the concept that became EBT. From 2007 to 2013, he chaired the IATA/ICAO/IFALPA EBT Working Group, which led to the publication of ICAO Doc 9995, the foundational framework for EBT. Currently, Captain Varney is the CEO of Salient, where he leads innovation in EBT and Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA), supported by data from Salient’s Line Operations Safety Audit programs. Salient’s work continues to shape modern pilot training systems around the world.
I began my aviation career in 2004 when I joined Aerolitoral (now Aeromexico Connect) as a First Officer on the Saab 340. Over the years, I’ve flown various aircraft, including the Embraer 145 and E-Jets. In 2015, I was promoted to Captain on the E-Jets, a position I continue to hold alongside increasing responsibilities in leadership and training.
In 2016, I became an instructor and was later designated a Type Rating Evaluator (TRE), allowing me to mentor other instructors. Around this time, I also completed a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, which enabled me to lead initiatives such as optimizing instructor rosters, developing new-hire programs, and designing innovative training tools.
During the COVID-19 crisis, I was called upon by ASPA de México to lead the Laboral Analysis Commission. I used my technical skills to analyze labor contracts and model cost impacts, playing a key role in negotiations that helped the airline remain operational. I later led a task force to manage the compensation of over 1,800 pilots—balancing data complexity with my ongoing flying duties.
In 2023, I completed a Master’s in Big Data from Universidad de La Rioja and was promoted to Fleet Chief at Aeromexico Connect. I oversaw fleet operations, authored the Instructor Guide, and was later appointed Deputy of Training. There, I focused on pilot development, simulator scheduling, and a full rewrite of our Pilot Training Manual, which was approved by authorities in late 2024.
In June 2024, I was promoted to Flight Standards Manager. I now oversee all technical and operational manuals, lead safety audits, and drive innovation in training. I’ve championed the integration of Evidence-Based Training (EBT) best practices and Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) principles on our training methodology.
Outside the airline, I co-founded AVG Aviation Consulting in 2022. We’ve supported airlines and unions like Aeromexico, Aeromexico Connect, and ASPA de México with strategic guidance.
Currently, I’m pursuing a Ph.D. in Project Management at UIIX, with a focus on innovation and human factors in aviation training. I expect to graduate in 2028 and aim to contribute meaningful research to the field.
Capt. Carlos Moran is an accomplished head trainer at ProSim Training Solutions, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience from the aviation industry and specializing in flight simulation. Carlos combines a strong background in aviation training with a passion for innovative educational technologies to deliver exceptional training programs for pilots in training.
Carlos’s journey in the aviation industry is a testament to his passion and dedication. He started as a young Air Force pilot, flying high-performance jets like the F-16 Viper. His love for aviation led him to the world of commercial aviation, where he became a simulator instructor and apart from flying was involved in various areas of aviation, including multiple roles in Flight Operations and Training within the major airlines in Latin America.
Today, Carlos has extensive experience in simulation systems and flight operations management. He takes a lead role in aviation training, regulations, licensing, and certification processes within the Latin American Spanish-speaking countries.
Carlos also works closely with the design and development of innovative training tools and devices that aim to enrich the learning experience and advance safety standards within the industry.
– Airline captain currently flying the Boeing 737 NG/MAX;
– Aircraft performance specialist;
– Author of the book Aircraft Performance Weight and Balance, now on its 4th edition;
– Producer of the YouTube channel named Aircraft Performance;
– Graduated in Aeronautical Sciences with PUCRS and post graduated in Teaching for Higher Degree Education with the same institution;
– College professor and aviation training consultant.
Is currently the Managing Director Safety and Efficiency for American Airlines (AA). He leads a team of over 60+ team members who participate in the AA Safety Assurance programs such as Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA), Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA), Fatigue Risk Management, and the Learning and Improvement Team (LIT) as integral elements within the AA Safety Management System. He is also responsible for Air Safety Investigations and Emergency Planning and Response.
He plans and manages the AA Corporate Safety Department’s efforts to support American Airlines’ commitment to be the world leader in airline safety. While working most closely with the Flight department, he interfaces with all AA departments to proactively identify and develop strategies and practices to prevent accidents and incidents.
John has amassed a total of over 19,500+ accident and incident free flight hours in his flying career. He is a current and qualified Captain on the 787 Dreamliner.
Expert in Human and Organizational Factors.
Postgraduate degree in Human and Organizational Factors from the University of San Andrés.
Diploma in Safety and Human Factors from ITAérea Aeronautical Business School.
Airline Pilot.
Military Aviator.
CRM and Human Factors Instructor/Facilitator since 1997.
Aircraft Accident Investigator.
Worked as a Human Factors instructor at Aerolíneas Argentinas, Western Air Bahamas, and Serendib Express Sri Lanka.
Founding member of the Argentine Association of Aeronautical Psychology (ACAPA).
Professor of Human Factors
at the University of Ezeiza.
Professor of Human Factors at the Center for Research, Improvement, and Experimentation of the Argentine National Civil Aviation Authority (CIPE).
He began his career in aviation as an Aeronautical Technician and Flight Dispatcher
Education & Specializations
– Graduated from the Brazilian Air Force Academy (1984)
– Specialization in Flight Safety through courses at CENIPA, FAA, NTSB, USAF, ERAU, and USC
Professional Experience
– 23 years as an Aviator Officer in the Brazilian Air Force
– 19 years as a Test Pilot & Flight Safety Officer at Embraer
– Currently providing Flight Safety Training to pilots and aviation managers in Brazil
Operational Expertise – Aircraft Flown:
– Military & Rotorcraft: Embraer EMB 326, Eurocopter AS 350, Bell 205/212/412
– Commercial & Regional aircraft: EMB 110, EMB 120, EMB 145, EMB 170/190 (E1/E2)
– Executive Jets: Learjet 35, Phenom 100, Phenom 300, Praetor 500/600, Legacy 650
– Military Transport: Embraer KC-390
Billy Nolen is the Chief Regulatory Officer at Archer Aviation. In this position, he plays a leadership role to help Archer more effectively collaborate with industry stakeholders and help ensure eVTOL’s safe entry into service as it prepares for planned commercialization in 2025.
Before joining Archer, Nolen served as the acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration where he led certification reform and new safety management systems for airports. Prior to that, he was the associate administrator of aviation safety for the FAA, which covers more than one million registered aircraft, more than one million active pilots, thousands of approved manufacturers, and over 50,000 flights every day.
During his time with the FAA, Nolen led the agency’s efforts to enable the safe entry of eVTOL aircraft into the national airspace and has been a strong advocate for the eVTOL aircraft industry and its role in changing the way the world moves.
Billy Nolen is an experienced aviation safety professional with more than 40 years of experience in corporate safety, regulatory affairs, and flight operations. He began his career in 1989 as a pilot for American Airlines, flying Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft as well as the then-McDonnell Douglas MD-80. He was later promoted to manage the carrier’s Aviation Safety Action Program.
His passion for operation and safety led him to continue rising through the management ranks to become the airline’s managing director for corporate safety and regulatory affairs. Nolen was a senior executive at Airlines for America and worked in safety leadership positions at numerous other airlines, including Qantas Airways, where he played a key role in the Qantas Group Safety Governance Framework, and WestJet in Calgary, Alberta where he was the Vice President of Safety, Security and Quality.
In addition to his professional aviation experience, Nolen served tours of duty in the U.S. Army as an airplane and helicopter pilot and safety officer.
Nolen graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management and has certificates in aviation safety from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, U.S. Army Safety Center, and the University of Southern California. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS) and has traveled extensively across the globe.
Kazu Tachibana is currently the Executive Vice President for JAL Aviofuture Lab.
The Laboratory covers a wide range of areas related to aviation, such as new technologies, business solutions, safety enhancement projects, and so forth.
Previously, Kazu was the Senior Vice President for Corporate Safety and Security, Family Assistance and Support at Japan Airlines.
In 1988, he graduated from Keio University with a Master’s degree in Economics.
In the same year, he started his career as a cadet pilot.
He had flown various types of aircraft, until he restarted his career as Senior VP for Flight Operations in 2020.
Throughout his pilot career, he was an instructor, Assistant Director for various projects such as training, Pilot Human Resources, and Pilot Group Management.
He also led the Entry into Service project of A350, and also worked for the introduction of the Mixed Fleet Flying rule making process in Japan.
In 2020, he took his role as the head of the Flight Operations.
In 2024, he took his role as the head of Safety.
He is currently the Executive Vice President of the new lab in JAL, and specializes in areas such as Flight Operations, Training, Aviation Technology, and Safety.
