Spotlighting the Panels

Spotlighting the Panels

11 May, 2026

Next Gen Voices – What does BizAv look like from the outside?

How do young people really view careers in business aviation?

This session puts the spotlight on the next generation, sharing insights from a survey of local students aged 16+ to explore perceptions, challenges, and opportunities within the industry.

Together, our panel will discuss:

  • Are there barriers to entering BizAv?
  • How is the industry perceived by young people?
  • What more can be done to raise awareness and accessibility?

We’ll also hear from training providers and individuals who have bucked the trend to build careers in business aviation.

Moderator: Lindsey Oliver (BBGA)

Panellists: Victoria Clayden Smith (Stansted Airport College), Daisy Metcalfe (CJC), Caeli Plumbley (Martyn Fiddler)

The Battle for Urban Airspace – The Last Mile for Helicopters?

As urban skies edge closer to becoming a new frontier for mobility, the debate over who truly owns the “last mile” is intensifying. This panel brings together perspectives from across the aviation ecosystem to explore the evolving dynamics between traditional rotorcraft operations and the emerging wave of eVTOL innovation.
With ambitious promises of cleaner, quieter, and more scalable air mobility, eVTOL pioneers are challenging a mature and highly regulated helicopter industry that has long dominated urban airspace. But will these new entrants carve out a meaningful niche, or will established rotorcraft continue to lead the way?
Join moderator Simon Williams (IOMAR) alongside industry voices Sebastian Pupek (Airbus Helicopters), and Miles Riches (SaxonAir) as they examine the realities behind the hype, the pressures of modernising fleets, and what it takes to stay competitive in an increasingly complex “Aviation 2.0” landscape. From airspace integration to sustainability and operational viability, this discussion will unpack whether the future of urban flight is a competition or a collaboration.

Dealmakers’ Dilemma: Can We Ever Truly Standardise?

PPIs. LOIs. APAs. Friend or foe?

We’re stepping into the world of transactions to tackle one of the most enduring, and divisive, questions in the industry: can aircraft deals ever be truly standardised?

From PPIs and LOIs to APAs and everything in between, these documents sit at the very core of every deal. Designed to drive clarity and efficiency, they often do the opposite. Slowing progress, fuelling debate, and keeping lawyers awake long into the night.

Join moderator Brendan Lodge (IADA) alongside panellists Aoife O’Sullivan (Keystone Law), Ed Griffith (JMI), Stuart Metcalfe (CJC), Andy Blundell (Close Brothers), and Warren Lovell (Leviate Air Group) as they unpack the reality behind standardisation, and whether it’s ever truly within reach.

 

Crypto for Jets and Yachts – Trend or Transformation?

Is crypto reshaping the way for high-value aviation and yacht transactions are completed? Or is it simply hype?

This compelling panel at the IOM Aviation Conference 2026 cuts through the noise to address the real-world payment challenges facing brokers and operators today. Moderated by Mark Bisset (Clyde & Co), the discussion brings together legal, operational, and technical expertise to tackle the real questions facing the industry from common misconceptions around risk and compliance, to how blockchain payments can actually increase transparency when used with regulated infrastructure.

Joining the conversation are:

  • Paul Doherty (ACASS Ireland)
  • Tyler Betts (Overchain)
  • Graham Williamson (GAMA Aviation)
  • Lawrence Power (Whitestone Chambers)

Delegates will gain practical insights, including:

  • How 24/7 settlement can transform operations.
  • Why speed and certainty matter in cross-border transactions.
  • How crypto can be offered without wallets, volatility, or balance-sheet risk, with operators simply receiving USD.

A must-attend for anyone navigating cross-border payments in business aviation and beyond.

 

View the Full Agenda: Agenda | IOM Aviation Conference

Meet the IOMAC 2026 Speakers: Introducing the IOMAC 2026 Speakers | Martyn Fiddler

Register Here: Register | IOM Aviation Conference

Stay tuned for more panel spotlights in the run up to the conference!

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