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How is artificial intelligence entering the aviation industry; what is the future of the aviation engineer profession; are robots already building aircraft; what are aviation sector specialists working on today? These were only some of the questions discussed by leading aviation companies from Plovdiv with students and faculty from the Technical University – Plovdiv Branch. The host of the informal meeting "AeroCafe" was the Department of "Transport and Aviation Engineering and Technologies". The meeting was opened by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Hristian Panayotov – Deputy Director of the Technical University – Plovdiv Branch, who stated that there is a great need to hold joint meetings where the main companies from the aviation industry in Plovdiv can gather and discuss labor market challenges. "We invited aviation specialists here to talk about the future of the aviation industry – both in practice and through good ideas. This will also give our students the opportunity to make the right career choice." – he said.
Aviation companies presented their current capabilities and announced their development directions for the near future. Stefka Nadolisky from "Human Resources" at Latécoère Bulgaria explained that their company has a 100-year history and produces doors, fuselage elements, and other aviation structures for the world's largest aircraft brands. "We are a world leader in aircraft door manufacturing and a European leader in creating structures for onboard computers. We highly value the work of aviation engineers." – Nadolisky explained. Petko Gadzhev – Procurement Manager at Latécoère Bulgaria stated that he sees the future of the aviation industry in the automation of production processes. At the plant near Plovdiv, they already have a large robot used for manufacturing aircraft doors. Hugo Regis – Production Manager at Latécoère added that two new robotic production lines were recently implemented in production. "Our goal is to be more productive and reduce the cost of the aircraft parts we manufacture." – he concluded.
Angel Bonchev, Head of the "Industrialization" direction at Liebherr-Aerospace and Transportation Systems, announced that the new plant near Plovdiv has a specialized unit for aviation technology. Thus, "Liebherr" produces not only refrigerators but also aircraft parts. "We are transferring a significant part of our production from Germany and France to the plant for Airbus A-220, A-320, and A-350 aircraft parts. We will produce control systems, gearboxes, and elements of the landing system for them."
Emil Rangelov – "Aviation Technology" Department explained: "At our company, we start with design, manufacture, and mandatory testing of aviation parts and systems for both small and the largest aircraft."
The Executive Director of Avionams AD, Eng. Atanas Atanasov, recalled that this year the company celebrates its 86th anniversary, with a renewed engine maintenance section. “Our specialists have acquired new knowledge and skills, because
we now maintain not only Russian military aircraft and helicopters, but also the new F-16 fighter jets” – explained Eng. Atanasov.
Until now, Plovdiv Airport had no need to hire aviation engineers. But we are now looking for them, said the airport director, Krasimir Peshov. Why? “We are considering the possibility of establishing aircraft maintenance bases. Not only for Bulgarian aviation companies, but we already have expressed interest from Turkish aircraft companies. We have focused on this activity because in 20 years there may be no pilots in the aircraft, but there will definitely be engineers to keep the equipment in working order.” – said Krasimir Peshov.
Dr. Eng. Stoyan Avramov is a lecturer at the Technical University – Plovdiv branch, but also the manager of “Telesis” company, which has been producing drones for the Bulgarian army for 15 years. His company is also the main producer of the newest military drone “Teres”. He believes that nowadays drones set the tone for aviation and, as a lecturer, he is convinced that there are no longer “pure” aviation specialties, but the combination of engineering and IT knowledge will shape the new generation of engineers who are now entering the industry.
At the end of the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Hristian Panayotov proposed that the companies from the aviation industry continue this joint forum, which the Technical University could host and be the place where good ideas are born and solutions to pressing issues are sought. “Global forecasts indicate that by 2030-2035, air transport will double, which means an increase in the production of aircraft – both manned and unmanned.” – said Assoc. Prof. Panayotov.

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Plovdiv Aviation Industry announced to students from the Technical University – Plovdiv branch: we are expanding production

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