PNAA Conference, Pt 2: Odds end Ends--Executive Director named; now largest conference in sector on West Coast

PNAA Executive Director: The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance named its first Executive Director, Melanie Jordan. Jordan has been very active in Puget Sound aerospace matters for years and has been on the board of the Future of Flight Museum and the Historic Flight Foundation, both at Paine Field in Everett.

PNAA Growth: PNAA is 15 years old and has been holding its conference for 12 years. This year 400 are attending, a record. This has now become the largest conference of its kind on the West Coast. This is a mix of airlines, OEMs, suppliers, training institutions.

Aircraft interiors: Complexities of interiors are greater than seems obvious. Cockpit doors are example of conflicts: you want authorized and emergency access, but doors have to be able to withstand unauthorized access. Diaper changing tables need to weight no more than 2 pounds but be capable of withstanding 1,200 lbs of pressure and still be 3/4 in thick and three feet long. A light-weight door can be designed but the cost goes beyond the 12 month return on investment, so not favored despite long-term fuel savings. Airline Marketing wants a certain look and battles finance. Engineering has another opinion. Market conditions might suddenly change and make them rethink everything. Lower lobe crew rest takes away cargo space, impacting cargo revenue–but this can be offset by more passengers.

 

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