Page 38 - AAA MARCH-APRIL 2012 Online Magazine

PROFILE

THAT’S ME

Bill Rossi is the Regional Sales Director
for Embraer’s commercial jets product
line. You can find him anywhere in
Oceania, Indonesia and Korea meeting
with airlines and preaching the
benefits of right-sizing with E-Jets.

How did you start in the aviation industry?
“I studied Material Science & Engineering at Lehigh University
and had my heart set on the steel industry – but at the time jobs
in that sector were scarce. Luckily, Pratt & Whitney was hiring. I
began working at the East Hartford, U.S. facility in 1990 and have
been in aviation ever since.

Why did you come to Asia?
“While at P&W I visited Japan and was impressed by the culture;
and at work there was a Kaizen program led by a Japanese we were descending - but I can tell you that I was pretty worried!
consultant. I tried out a few phrases I had picked up during my On the bright side I discovered that pure oxygen does wonders
holiday and he apparently said to the plant manager: “That boy for a headache.
shows promise…” A few months later I was offered a position
on the Samsung Aerospace JV working on the Korean Fighter How will the Asian aviation industry develop?
Program. That’s how I ended up in Asia. “I think the industry here will see a major drive towards innovation
to improve fuel efficiency, and there will be an increasing role
What’s the best thing about your job? for regional aircraft. Asia is a region which has led the world
“The best thing about this job is that prior to working at Embraer in wide-body utilisation; Asian airlines offer a higher standard
I gained experience with most major aircraft components so of service and consistent profitability that are the envy of other
it’s nice to sell the final product. And working for a Brazilian carriers.
company with a history like Embraer it’s hard not to be caught
up by the optimism and excitement as the country goes through What’s the biggest advance you’ve seen in the industry?
an incredible transformation. “I think mandatory enhanced ground proximity warning system
(EGPWS) installations in commercial aircraft by the FAA in
What’s your scariest flying story? March 2000 are probably the greatest single safety enhancement
“I think it was on a flight to Taipei several years ago. I was aviation has seen.
catching some sleep when I awoke to the sounds of roaring
engines and the plane in a steep dive while oxygen masks What would you say to Orville and Wilbur if you met them?
dangled around my head. The cabin pressure valve had failed so “I’d like to be your aircraft salesman!

Asia is a region which has led the world in wide-body utilisation;
Asian airlines offer a higher standard of service and consistent
profitability that are the envy of other carriers.

38 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS MARCH / APRIL 2012 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM