Speakers

Deputy Director Emerging Technologies, Programme, Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand

Scott grew up In Hawkes Bay and enjoyed an aviation career that included 20 years as a military fast jet pilot in both New Zealand and United Kingdom. He was a tactics instructor and standards examiner on aircraft such as the Tornado F3, Hawk T1 and Hawk 128.

Scott has held roles at the CAA in New Southern Sky Programme, Licensing and Standards, and most recently in the Emerging Technologies Programme (ETP).

Scott’s team, the Emerging Technologies Unit, is responsible for being the public face of the ETP. The three main tasks of the unit are to conduct decision-making activity that necessarily precedes regulatory approvals for novel and disruptive technologies, to internally project manage and coordinate resources needed novel aviation activities, and identify and develop process improvements.

CEO of Droneshows Limited, Chair of UAVNZ, and a Council Member of the Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand

Isaac combines research, practical experience, and advocacy work regarding the operation and regulation of emerging aviation technologies, with a focus on uncrewed aircraft systems. Isaac’s work spans projects in New Zealand and abroad, where he has worked on developing new aircraft systems, or assisting with their integration into the conventional aviation system. He emphasises the importance of aligning concepts of operation, business strategies, and regulatory policies to unlock the full potential of emerging aviation technologies. Isaac looks forward to guiding these areas of discussion as moderator of the session on certificating emerging aviation technologies.

Co-founder and Managing Partner, Even Capital

Sarah is an avid investor in early-stage companies, and following an extensive career in corporate finance and capital markets, Sarah evolved her focus towards full time investment and governance. Alongside her involvement in Even Capital, Sarah holds Independent Directorship and Audit & Risk Chair roles across a number of prominent organisations.

CEO, Kea Aerospace and President, Aerospace New Zealand

Mark was the seed investor and co-Director of Rocket Lab from 2007 to 2011. Mark is the CEO of Kea Aerospace, a company that is building solar-powered aircraft that will continuously fly for months in the stratosphere to capture more frequent high-resolution data for applications such as environmental monitoring, maritime domain awareness, disaster response and commercial insights. He is the President of Aerospace New Zealand, which is an industry-led body working to grow the aerospace sector.

Director Emerging Technologies Programme, CAA New Zealand

Steve Smyth served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) for 30 years, commanding a fighter squadron and subsequently a strategic air base. In his last role he was responsible for all RAF operational test and evaluation. Steve then led the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Introduction into Service programme to upgrade and replace every aircraft and supporting system in the operational fleet.

In July 2014 Steve joined the CAA of New Zealand as Director of the New Southern Sky programme, a decade long modernisation of the New Zealand aviation system. As a result of the New Southern Sky programme, New Zealand’s aviation infrastructure (digital and physical), is amongst the most up to date and resilient in the world, enabled by a tailored regulatory framework that supports its safe and secure use.

In August 2021, Steve took up his current role as Director Emerging Technologies Programme. The programme spans all emerging technologies that are yet to be certified, including RPAS and AAM, new digital and physical infrastructure and aircraft propulsion systems.