Back in 2014 we announced we’d be taking delivery of 30 next-generation Boeing 737 Max 8s in 2018. Since then, it’s never been a busier time for our Head of B737 MAX Programme Julie Philpott! Find out more about her role and how she’s preparing for the new fleet.
Tell us a bit about your background and how you got into fleet management.
I’ve worked for Monarch for 21 years starting in the Quality Assurance department in Engineering. I moved into managing a variety of engineering support areas over a 15 year period before moving into a Monarch Group role as Airline Programme Manager within the Group Project Office. During this time I got involved in specifying the configuration of new Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft which led onto the role of Head of Fleet Management and now Head of B737 MAX Programme.
What does the Head of B737 MAX Programme role entail?
The role of Head of B737 MAX Programme has been created to oversee the introduction of the new B737 MAX fleet into Monarch. My main objectives are to ensure that the aircraft are delivered on time, to the required specification and that the business is ready to receive and operate the aircraft. All of this must be achieved without any delays or issues so that our customers’ experience a seamless transition from the current fleet to our new fleet.
In order to achieve this I work closely with our Project Managers, Heads of Department and all areas of the business to ensure that we are focussed on the programme activities and that we have sufficient and qualified resource so that each area can meet their objectives towards the overall programme plan.
In addition I have a number of external key stakeholders that I have close working relationships with, communicating on our internal programme and working alongside their teams to support the aircraft introduction. These include the aircraft and engine manufacturers Boeing & CFM; the future owners of the aircraft and the civil aviation authority.
What’s your current favourite aircraft in the fleet and why?
G-ZBAD – delivered in May 2013. This was the first new A321 that I was privileged to accept on behalf of the airline. We had a great team with us – engineering, pilots and maintenance and the Lessor rep from Aviation Capital Group (ACG) who manage the aircraft on behalf of the owner. The delivery ran very smoothly and it was the first aircraft I actually signed the acceptance certificate under a Power of Attorney for Monarch Airlines – both a daunting but equally exciting day!
A shot of G-ZBAD in action – courtesy of our Instagram friend Taariqiqbal15
What’s it like picking up an aircraft?
Each delivery is exciting and a privilege to participate in – it’s not your average day in the office and it’s hard to explain when people don’t know what you do for a job! I really enjoy working with a cross functional team from engineering, maintenance, legal and flight deck to achieve the aircraft delivery. It gives me a great sense of pride to lead the team, receive the aircraft on behalf of the airline and fly it back into the UK. I always find it difficult to leave the aircraft once we arrive back in the UK – they look pristine and it’s almost a shame that they need to go into service! It’s like getting a new car and wanting it to stay looking good for as long as possible.
What are the biggest/most exciting projects you’ve worked on at Monarch?
I am leading the team that is responsible for introducing the Boeing 737 MAX Fleet into Monarch Airlines commencing early 2018. This is a very exciting project to be involved in from the start. It presents a once in a lifetime career opportunity to be involved in refreshing our aircraft fleet to a single type, all new Boeing 737 MAX. Alongside the introduction of the new fleet we have an extensive programme to redeliver to the Lessors the current fleet, in broad terms as each new aircraft arrives, one of the current fleet will be removed from service. This transition will require a lot of preparation and planning in advance.
What are the top milestones you’re working towards in 2016, 2017 and 2018?
In 2016 we will continue to work the details and define the Aircraft Configuration for our future B737 MAX fleet. Within the year we will be running multiple negotiations with suppliers for components and major items such as Galley equipment through to Avionics equipment. It is our aim to have the configuration choices made and contracts in place with equipment vendors by the end of 2016. Other key working groups will be focussed on the aircraft finance and the transition plan for aircraft leaving versus aircraft entering the fleet.
In 2017 with the configuration completed we will be turning our attention to the business preparation of the B737 MAX introduction. Once we have defined the aircraft configuration we will be working with all departments on making sure our systems, processes and contracts reflect the changes driven by the introduction of the B737 MAX fleet.
In 2018 the key focus will be monitoring the aircraft production, managing the delivery process at Boeing in Seattle, the flight over from the USA to the UK and preparation in the UK ready for the first eight aircraft of our new fleet and their entry into service. The delivery schedule is very challenging with eight aircraft being delivered during 2018.
How do our aircraft get the registrations they do?
The aircraft registrations tend to follow a series – as we know the G-MON series has been used, followed by G-OZB and G-ZBA. We are nearing the end of the G-ZBA series with the latest introduction to the fleet of G-ZBAT. We only have six registrations left to use in this series if they are available. For the B737 MAX aircraft there has been an initial discussion but no decisions have been made yet.
And finally….what are your favourite Monarch destinations to fly to – and why?
My favourite destination is definitely Nice, France. I love the beach and town area for shopping and eating. The coast in the south of France combined with great weather make it a great place for a long weekend. It is an ideal place to explore the area from and on my last trip with my close friend we took the train to Monaco to see the street circuit of the Formula 1 GP, visited the famous casino and ‘window’ shopped in the Designer shopping areas! Back in Nice we hired a Jetski and went out for an hour trying to go as fast as possible – I got told off for going too quickly by my friend who reminded me I wasn’t on one of my motorbikes!
