Catherine Maunoury

Talks

Two-time World Aerobatic Champion, President of the Aéro-Club de France after heading the Air and Space Museum at Le Bourget, Catherine Maunoury is one of the most recognised figures in contemporary French aviation. Beyond the world of aviation, her career, expertise and experience can inspire the business world.

The figures of management

The figures of management – talk1:02 — The video loads from Vimeo when you click.
The figures of management – workshop1:11 — The video loads from Vimeo when you click.

Video credit: Philippe Janin

When she took up her post at the Air Museum, she likes to recall, friends warned her: “Careful, you’re not flying an Extra 330 any more — more like an Airbus 380!” A way of preparing her for the ways and reaction times of one of the world’s largest museums of aviation and space. Nothing like the fast, agile aircraft in which she thrills air show crowds.

With experience, however, she found many similarities between the world of aerobatic competition and that of an institution she managed to breathe new life into. Two worlds, aviation and business, where performance, decision-making and risk management are equally expected.

To approach them, Catherine Maunoury learned and developed two disciplines: mastering several “timescales” in anticipation, preparation and risk management, and team spirit.

Three timescales

There can be no success in competition without excellent mastery of three timescales: short, medium and long term. A World Aerobatic Championship takes two years to prepare; it lasts about ten days; the podium is decided over three or four flights of six to seven minutes, in which the pilot is alone to reach the goal.

Each of these timescales has its own stakes: finding funding and cutting-edge technology, physical and mental preparation, training, risk control, managing stress, and managing success… or failure, including once the competition is over.

  1. 2 yearsof preparation
  2. 10 daysof championship
  3. 7 minper flight, alone on board

Alone on board, never alone

Although the aerobatic pilot is alone in the aircraft, they need an effective, close-knit team. Among the most important is the mechanic, on whom depend the constant maintenance of an aircraft subjected to extreme loads, and the safety of every flight. From the coach, the pilot expects ongoing critical analysis of progress, difficulties and results, along with friendly support. The sponsors’ backing determines whether the pilot can add to their record by benefiting from the latest technological innovations.

When the time of competition comes, the pilot’s ability to bear the pressure of solitude in those decisive moments will depend on the quality of their preparation and of their relationship with the team.

Four quotations from the world of aviation that sum up her convictions

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