Scott Firsing (Founder & President, Scott Sky Advisors; pictured below) says that big changes in the aviation industry globally are being driven by sustainability and affordability. An aviation industry consultant and moderator of the Aviation, Aerospace, and Defense panel at this year’s summit, Firsing gives us a preview of how those topics, and others, will inform the panel. 

Europe, already home to some of the biggest names in aviation, continues to influence the global industry through its goal to become the first carbon neutral continent. This helps push the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and new engine technologies. Other important developments include increasing use of automation, both in operation and production as well as the development of stronger, lighter materials that, as Firsing explains, “mean we can go higher, longer, faster and do it safer.”     He sees supply chains as a promising source of opportunity for Texas businesses interested in Europe’s aerospace market. “We learned a lot of lessons from COVID, but one important lesson was the pain and suffering companies endured because of limited supplies for vital parts. Often companies only had one supplier.”  Texas’ dynamic private sector space market is also of note. SpaceX and Blue Origin have significant operations in the state. There are several launch sites in Texas. Texas Companies such as Firefly Aerospace and Nanoracks are leaders in space technology. The Texas private space sector also enjoys significant public sector support, including the Texas Space Commission, new academic programs and, of course, the presence of Johnson Space Center in Houston.  Firsing says, so far, Europe’s private space sector doesn’t have the same dynamism. “They lack the private and public funding.” However, that creates an opportunity for Texas operations to help address European needs. More than just a moderator, Firsing is the founder of Scott Sky Advisors, a consulting firm helping foreign aerospace firms navigate the North American market. He says that the need for expertise runs both ways and that European aerospace opportunities for Texas companies do come with challenges “They often have their own entities or their own national regulators. Europe also has stringent regulations for aerospace and defense industries that can include items like safety standards, environmental regulations, and data protection laws.” He recommends hiring local consultants and legal experts to navigate these challenges.

Additional details about the 2024 Texas EU-Business Summit’s speakers and panel topics are available at www.texaseusummit.org