Industry Magnates Premier: Interview with Srinivas Rao Y, CMM at AI Engineering Service Limited

Introduction

Introduction

Hello ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the esteemed FaceTime with Leaders, an initiative by World Development Corporation. I'm Venu Anand. At World Development Corporation, FaceTime with Leaders is a platform for industry titans to share their experiences, thoughts, ideas, and best practices to inspire one another and future leaders. In a nutshell, we attempt to encapsulate the multi-decade learnings acquired by these industry leaders.

We also hope that by conducting these FaceTime with Leaders interviews, we can bring together a global community of eminent personalities. By bringing such visionaries on one platform, we hope to play a part in inspiring the lives of other leaders. Great learnings from great leaders undoubtedly assist everyone by identifying, nurturing, and using the trade secrets that are proven success formulas for many, and this is what we aim for with these sessions—by making them a gathering of industry stalwarts and a knowledge-sharing community.

Meet the Industry Giant: Srinivas Rao Y

We have one such industry giant on FaceTime with Leaders with us today: Mr. Srinivas Rao Y, a beacon of excellence. He boasts a career spanning about three and a half decades that has culminated in his role as the retired General Manager of Engineering and Station Head at AI Engineering Services Limited, a subsidiary of Air India known for his overall excellence.

Rao has effectively bridged internal and external departments, fostering a culture of integrity and professionalism. He has led by example, prioritizing customer service and exemplifying traits that are the hallmark of a seasoned professional. His achievements include successfully completing A checks and 12-year checks of A321 and ATR72 during the pandemic and turning around the southern region into a profitable entity, yielding a surplus revenue of 20 crores.

Career Journey

To begin with, could you let our viewers know in brief about your career journey so far?

"Thank you for the introduction and very good afternoon. I graduated from IIT Madras in Aeronautical Engineering. After my graduation, I joined the Defense Research Laboratory (DRDL) and was involved in the Integrated Guided Missile Program. My role there as a scientist allowed me to learn a great deal about team building and project management."

"After one year, I moved to Indian Airlines' Engineering Department for aircraft maintenance, transitioning from research to aircraft maintenance. In this role, I managed line maintenance, shop maintenance, and base maintenance, learning to work under pressure, make quick decisions, diagnose faults, arrange skilled manpower, carry out maintenance, and release the aircraft, which required technical and organizational skills."

"A significant part of my career was in line maintenance, where I managed technical dispatch reliability and aircraft availability. I introduced skills upscaling and redeployment of staff, enhancing component availability and saving foreign exchange. I was eventually promoted to the Chief Line Maintenance Manager and later became in charge of the Southern region’s line maintenance, shop maintenance, and base maintenance during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Leading During the Pandemic

You have been commended for your work during the COVID-19 lockdown, exemplifying your commitment to safety. Can our viewers learn more about it?

"During COVID-19, all modes of transport were shut down, except flights under the Vande Bharat Mission to bring back stranded Indians. We had to preserve or make the aircraft flight-ready, maintaining them despite supply chain disruptions and safety precautions for our staff. We achieved this through meticulous planning, sanitized transport, safety equipment, and flexible timings. We managed to maintain service and safety during the lockdown successfully."

Values and Principles

What are some values and principles that you have carried from your aviation experience to the second phase of your career?

"Discipline is the foremost. Aviation is safe but does not tolerate mistakes. High-quality work and timelines are crucial. The system of checklists to minimize errors, execution involving pre-planning, and regular review are important. We must be adaptable, available to our staff, and ensure they are upskilled and provided with proper equipment."

Interest in ESG and Corporate Governance

How and when did you develop an interest in ESG and corporate governance?

"Our company, being in aviation and under government, already adheres to many ESG and corporate governance principles. Aircraft maintenance occurs in environmentally approved hangars and workshops. We handle chemicals and ensure their safe disposal. Employees are well-paid, transparent rules are in place, and there is no discrimination. The highly regulated industry ensures compliance through constant monitoring and a vigilant system."

Insights into ESG and Corporate Governance

As an ESG and corporate governance expert, what values do you bring to the table?

"Having closely worked in the ESG environment, I understand its long-term benefits in profitability and business development. Collecting data, identifying risks, taking corrective actions, and continuous monitoring are crucial. My exposure and experience add these values significantly."

Technological Changes in Aviation

As someone working closely with technology, what are some of the most remarkable changes you have seen in your field with the advancements in IoT, AI, ML, blockchain, big data, and Web 3.0?

"In aviation, technical advancements occur on the aircraft and workshop sides. We transitioned from mechanically controlled to fly-by-wire systems and introduced self-testing systems, reducing troubleshooting time and improving dispatch reliability. Workshop maintenance evolved from physical files to MRO software, managing contracts, inventory, resources, and staff. Future advancements in MRO software will ease maintenance and improve dispatch reliability further."

Community of Industry Magnates

We are building a community of industry magnates to cross-pollinate knowledge and build a knowledge-sharing community of corporate giants and industry experts. What are your thoughts on this initiative by Mr. Zeeshan Pathan, Mr. Haval Mehta, and the World Development Corporation team?

"It's a great initiative. It provides an opportunity to network with other experts and utilize their domain knowledge. As we enter new assignments as independent directors, we can connect with these leaders and leverage their insights. It's truly exciting and a commendable initiative by Mr. Pathan and World Development Corporation."

Keywords

• FaceTime with Leaders
• World Development Corporation
• Industry Titans
• Srinivas Rao Y
• AI Engineering Services Limited
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Aircraft Maintenance
• COVID-19 Pandemic
• ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)
• Corporate Governance
• Technology in Aviation
• IoT
• AI
• ML
• Blockchain
• MRO Software

FAQ

What is FaceTime with Leaders?

FaceTime with Leaders is an initiative by World Development Corporation that provides a platform for industry leaders to share their experiences, ideas, and best practices to inspire future leaders and create a global community of eminent personalities.

Who is Srinivas Rao Y?

Srinivas Rao Y. is the retired General Manager of Engineering and Station Head at AI Engineering Services Limited. He has a career spanning three and a half decades, with significant achievements including improving technical dispatch reliability and managing aircraft maintenance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What principles from aviation does Srinivas Rao Y carry into the second phase of his career?

Rao emphasizes discipline, high-quality work, adherence to timelines, the importance of checklists, execution involving pre-planning, regular review, adaptability, and staff upskilling.

How did Srinivas Rao Y develop an interest in ESG and corporate governance?

His experience in the aviation sector, which inherently follows many ESG and corporate governance principles, such as environmental compliance, staff welfare, transparency, and strict regulatory adherence, cultivated his interest in these areas.

What technological advancements has Srinivas Rao Y witnessed in aviation?

Rao witnessed transitions from mechanically controlled to fly-by-wire aircraft systems, self-testing systems, and the integration of MRO software in workshops for better contract, inventory, and resource management.

What are the benefits of building a community of industry magnates?

Building such a community allows for cross-pollination of knowledge, networking opportunities, and leveraging the insights of experts from diverse domains to enhance business growth and success in various sectors.