Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 26

ISTAT Americas

2014

More than 1,600 attendees visited San Diego
for the ISTAT Americas 2014 conference,
the 31st annual event of the society, where
industry experts in aircraft and engine manufacturing, leasing, finance, and appraisal,
among other specialties, presented their
outlook of the aviation industry.
"Year after year ISTAT has grown as
the premier forum for connecting people
looking for aircraft delivery funding with
those willing to invest in them. From its
start as an organization representing the
lessors and traders of used commercial aircraft, ISTAT today has grown to over 3,500
members, and ISTAT Americas attendance
topped more than 1,600 for another record
year," said Jep Thornton, ISTAT president.
While some debate continued around
the possibility of a production bubble, the
overall mood was one of optimism regarding the future of the industry. According to
opening speaker Adam Pilarski, senior vice
president, AVITAS, Inc., contributing factors
of low interest rates, stable fuel prices and
profitable airlines have led to huge orders,
huge deliveries and record backlogs.
Randy Tinseth, vice president of marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, responded
to Pilarski, "Adam, the market is good, and it
is getting better. I think 'awesome' might be
an overstatement." Andy Shankland, senior
vice president - leasing markets, Airbus, said
that he is "reasonably optimistic" about
2014, noting that world GDP is up, along
with passenger and freight traffic.
The huge replacement cycle of used aircraft is another factor to consider when
looking at the overall market, said Steven
Udvar-Hazy, chairman and chief executive officer, Air Lease Corporation, during the Lessor's CEO Panel. He noted that
while certain airlines may have ordered

Industry excitement
and energy fuel
successful conference

too many aircraft, others haven't ordered
any or have under-ordered. Rather than
generalizing that the market is in a bubble,
Hazy said that perhaps some buyers were
too optimistic.
According to the speakers on the
Financial Markets Panel, this outlook is,
at least partially, fueled by the availability
of financing worldwide. Banks are "flush
with cash" on a global basis, said Thomas
Hollahan, managing director, Citi.
To wrap up the first day of presentations, attendees enjoyed the sunset and
stunning views of San Diego at the Monday
evening reception on the USS Midway. The
ISTAT Foundation Golf Tournament was a
success with 144 pros on the course. Other
events included the ISTAT Foundation's 7th
Annual Poker Tournament, which raised
double its average in fundraising this year,
the ISTAT Women's Networking Reception
and Club ISTAT, featuring the always-entertaining ISTAT Band.
ISTAT capped off the event with a memorable President's Gala Dinner honoring
Pete Seidlitz, the 2014 ISTAT Award winner. True to his humorous nature, Seidlitz
captivated the crowd with his stories of
airplane deals in sub-Saharan Africa, early
ISTAT conferences and aircraft transactions with Donald Trump. Several of his colleagues and friends in the industry joined
him at the podium to share a few laughs
and memories.
Longtime colleague Dan Pietrzak first
met Seidlitz while working at Northwest
Airlines. He shared what makes Seidlitz
stand out in his field:
"When you work for an airline or a
lessor, you will meet many people who
identify themselves as a 'broker.' We've
all learned over time that since there are

26 The ofﬁcial publication of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading

no real bars to entry on calling yourself
a 'broker,' you often end up speaking or
corresponding with someone who has no
real standing in the industry and a facile
understanding of our industry and the
needs of aircraft owners and operators. So
'brokers' get a bit off a bad name, which is
part of what makes Pete Seidlitz unique.
Pete knows the commercial aviation industry and seemingly knows nearly everyone
in it-at least on the aircraft trading side
of things. With Pete, the quotation marks
come off of 'broker,' and you are left with a
trustworthy, hardworking, connected and
thoughtful broker who services his clients'
needs. Taken together, Pete has integrity,
and that's not a given in this business.
Beyond integrity, Pete also possesses a
wicked sense of humor and a concern for
the welfare of others that make him a
pleasure to work with."

ISTAT Foundation's 7th Annual
Poker Tournament, sponsored
by Jet Trading & Leasing

Jetrader - Summer 2014

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