Ivan Lauthier Brings Over 20 Years Experience In Military, Commercial Aviation

French planemaker ATR announced Thursday it has appointed Ivan Lauthier, 46, as new Vice-President of Training and Flight Operations, succeeding Jean-Michel Bigarré. Lauthier holds an Aeronautical Engineering degree from the French Ecole de l'Air and degrees as airline and test pilot. He is also a licensed pilot in military aircraft and helicopters.

Lauthier counts a strong experience of more than 20 years as test and public transportation pilot. He started his career in 1984 as operating pilot for the French Air Force. In 1993 he became test pilot and was appointed chief of helicopters' cabin crew at the Flight Test Center of Brétigny. In 1998, he became chief test pilot at the Military Flight Test Center of Istres.  

In 2004, Lauthier became the first test pilot ever appointed as a Program Manager at the DGA, the French Defense Agency. He was responsible for aircraft and helicopters programs. 

Since 2006, he held a managing position at Comex-Nucléaire, a France-based firm in charge of the design, the development and the maintenance of nuclear facilities. 

Lauthier is Knight of the Legion of Honor and Knight of the National Order of Merit, and has two children.  

FMI: www.atraircraft.com