APEX in Profile: Phil Brace
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Phil Brace
IFEC and Airborne Power Solutions Manager
Pascall Electronics, a subsidiary of Data Device Corporation
Phil’s role at Pascall focuses on the development and supply of highly reliable airborne power solutions for in-cabin systems, including in-flight entertainment, connectivity and PED (personal electronic device) power. Pascall’s power LRU’s and embedded power supplies have supported well-known industry OEM’s for more than 23 years.
FAST FACTS
Favorite Airport: Isle of Wight Airport (EGHN) GA Airfield
Favorite Aircraft: Concorde
Now Listening to: My Universe, The Shires
Seatback or PED? Seatback
The future of flight will be: Personalized
If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you love to be doing?
Flying vintage aircraft and writing. As a long-term GA pilot, I’d love to spend more time in the air flying classic stick and rudder types. I’d write about the aviation history that inspires me.
Did you choose the airline industry or did it choose you?
It chose me and I’m very grateful. I’ve spent the best part of my career in the power electronics industry. With experience in space satellite equipment, cellular communications devices and airborne power solutions, the hashtags would be #performance #efficiency #reliability!
“Social media has changed the relationship models in so many aspects of our lives.”
The career path you considered but never followed?
Naval aviation. The challenge of landing a fast jet on a very short runway that rolls and pitches in the ocean! I don’t think my coordination skills would have made the grade. I’d have been happy as an air engineering officer. Being born in Portsmouth [England], the Royal Navy is in the family.
Every job has a cool factor. What’s yours?
Meeting customer expectations. There is no better satisfaction than receiving complimentary feedback and having the ability to pass this on to the team of people that made that satisfaction possible.
Best advice you’ve ever received?
Probably a classic: You’ve two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listen carefully, understand the problem and then you’ll be in the best position to propose the solution.
What do you think is the most overlooked aspect of the passenger experience?
Perception and delivery of service. Airlines and their cabin crew face many challenges in meeting the expectations of passengers in an ever competitive industry. I’d like to recognize the efforts of the many thousands of airline staff who welcome us on board with a smile every day. As a long-term traveler to worldwide destinations, I’m very appreciative.
Something that never ceases to amaze you in your industry?
Engineering innovation. Having witnessed the highs and lows of satellite launches, the evolution of the cellphone to the smartphone and the rollout of high bandwidth airborne connectivity solutions, I’m consistently impressed with the smart people who figure out how to develop, build, certify, launch and install the hardware that we so often take for granted.
How are people different when they’re traveling? How does that affect your work?
I’ve been traveling on business for longer than I’d choose to remember, and in that time, I’ve seen the many individual ways in which people react to the travel environment. I’ve learned that stress-free and productive business travel relies on good planning. We’ve so many connectivity and power options becoming available in our airports and aircraft these days. In time, nobody will believe how we used to search for a fax machine upon arrival to send handwritten trip reports.
How do content and entertainment expectations change for people when they are traveling?
For the majority of us, air travel will be defined by a seat of a certain class. Once allocated, we don’t have the option to change that location, so we need to be served where we are. I’ve often said that passengers will increasingly expect power and connectivity services similar to those they receive at home. It’s for us, within the industry, to work out how best to provide that, within the commercial and operational constraints.
How important is social media for an airline in the digital age?
Social media has changed the relationship models in so many aspects of our lives. Business brands are both supported and challenged by instant commentary dispatched from any number of users in increasingly wide demographics. These are powerful platforms to outline new services and receive immediate customer feedback. The key is to ensure clarity of message and not to dilute it.
Something that only a frequent flyer would understand?
How many “steps” you can accumulate as you transfer between international and domestic terminals! Travel veterans know that gate location from security or transfer is inversely proportional to the time you have available!
After you’ve settled in your airplane seat, what’s the first thing you do?
Put on my noise-canceling headphones, listen to music and see what movies are available; I see most of the latest releases on board. I’ll have my phone and laptop charge leads ready.
What’s the one item you can’t travel without?
Noise-canceling headphones.
What’s the most efficient way to pack a carry-on suitcase?
Fold, pile, roll. Take half of what you think you’ll need – it will be fine!
What’s the best seat on the plane?
The left-hand seat at the very front. The occupier will have worked very hard to get there. The best view from the aircraft comes as part of the reward!
If you could sit next to anyone on a plane, who would it be?
The test pilot who first flew that type. How interesting that would be. If I had a time machine, it would be fascinating to sit next to Joe Sutter, Chuck Yeager, Bob Hoover, Reginald Mitchell, Amy Johnson or Amelia Earhart. In honesty, I have a very long list.
Fail-proof travel tip?
Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Over a century of manned flight has evolved into fuel-efficient, comfortable and technologically advanced aircraft such as the B787 and A350. Close your eyes and marvel at how much has been achieved since the Wright Flyer!
Best spot for planespotting?
Sunset Beach Bar, Saint Maarten, to view landing approaches to Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). Otherwise, with less sand and sun, points on the perimeter road at Heathrow (memorable for Concorde night departures with full afterburners).
What did you do the first time you used in-flight Wi-Fi?
I checked the ping speed. I just wondered!
If you could fly anywhere right now…
BGI. Grantley Adams International Airport, Barbados. As I’m writing this on a Friday, I think I could just make the fish fry at Oistins. On Saturday, I’d walk on Bathsheba Beach.
“APEX in Profile: Haynes G. Griffin” was originally published in the 7.2 April/May issue of APEX Experience magazine.