Generations in Aviation: How Father and Son are Ensuring Efficient Operations in NAG
Meet Timur and Maksim, the professionals who work at Nordic Aviation Group, who also happen to be a father and a son. This interview is an inspiring story of how different generations work hand-in-hand in the field of aviation, while their valuable skills and knowledge complement each other perfectly.
Timur is a Flight Operations Engineer with a wealth of experience in aviation. His role involves ensuring that all flight operations meet the highest standards of safety and efficiency.
Maksim serves as an EFB Administrator. He played a key role in transitioning the company's operations from paper-based systems to digital solutions, and his work focuses on managing and improving the electronic systems pilots use for flight preparation and execution, contributing to safer and more efficient flights.
- Maksim, what inspired you to follow in your father's footsteps and pursue a career in aviation?
Maksim: I think the passion for flying dates back to childhood when he took me on short flights in an old TU-134. And as I remember, the most fascinating moment was when the plane was gaining altitude. There were also a lot of books at home with pictures about the history and development of aircraft construction and aviation.
- Timur, how do you feel about your son choosing a career in the same industry as you?
Timur: I feel highly positive about this choice since, in my opinion, aviation is one of the most progressive industries requiring constant improvement in self-education and intelligence.
- What are the most significant changes you've witnessed in aviation technology and practices during your career?
Timur: In my opinion, the most significant changes in technology occurred in the early '90s, and the second wave was in the period 2010-2015. Improving practices is a constant process.
- Maksim, as someone who joined the industry more recently, what changes or advancements have you noticed?
Maksim: The main changes in aviation that have occurred during my time in the industry relate to flight safety and the preparation of flight data. In my opinion, flight safety is now at a much higher level than it was ten years ago. Safety is also affected by more accurate data required to complete the flight.
- What lessons or values from your father have you found most valuable in your work?
Maksim: I think it is that there are never hopeless situations and there is always a solution to a particular problem.
- Timur, what fresh perspectives or ideas has Maksim brought to the table that you find intriguing or beneficial?
Timur: With the arrival of Maksim, the transition from paper documents to digital ones and the introduction of computer technology began both on airplanes and on the office side. At the beginning, these were separate software but later separate units were combined into larger systems. Thanks to his ideas and implementation, the company currently has a more promising and efficient electronic system, and this allowed the company to manage a large number of flights.
- What are the biggest challenges you've faced in your respective roles?
Timur: Like others, I faced difficulties many times but cannot say that they were the "biggest" - most probably they were just hard routine tasks. The last few times, there were some problems with getting traffic rights from the Turkish CAA for charter flight operations.
Maksim: My main task at Xfly is to support and develop the systems used by pilots to prepare and carry out flights. And I think the biggest challenge for me was the transition from paper documentation to digital. I was responsible for this project, and then it was something completely new both for the company and for me.
- Timur, how have you had to adapt your skills and knowledge over the years to keep up with industry changes?
Timur: It's easy; sometimes I upgrade my skills and knowledge myself when it is required, but sometimes I get additional formal education, and it helps me stay adapted to changes. Success doesn't come to us; we have to go to it.
- And Maksim, as a newer member of the industry, how do you approach learning and adapting to the aviation field?
Maksim: I have always believed that training is an integral part of the growth of the company. It is a great advantage to have qualified staff. Moreover, in the field of aviation, you can always learn something new.
- What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in aviation?
Timur: Be strong and continuously motivate yourself on the way to your goal.
- Maksim, what is it like to work in an industry where your father has years of experience?
Maksim: He is always an interesting conversationalist and a great expert in his field, ready to share advice.
- Timur, how do you balance being a father and a colleague in a professional setting?
Timur: Our duty and responsibility areas have overlapping areas but do not fully cover each other. I don't balance being a father and a colleague in the office at work. In the office, we are colleagues, and when we are at home, we are family.
- Where do you see the aviation industry heading in the next 10-20 years?
Timur: I would like to hope that aviation will be more environmentally friendly in the next 10-20 years.
Maksim: In my opinion, the aviation industry is likely to see an increased focus on sustainable aviation, with advancements in electric and hybrid propulsion systems.
- What innovative ideas or trends are you excited about in aviation?
Timur: Everything related to reducing harm to the environment.
Maksim: Additionally, innovations in autonomous flight and improved connectivity may shape the future of air travel.
