Leading Industry Innovation!
Aviation plays an important role in global connectivity, bridging geographical gaps and enabling cultural exchange. Over the years, the industry has advanced significantly, driven by technological progress and an increased focus on safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Innovations such as digital tools, automation, and sustainable aviation fuels have transformed operations, ensuring safer and more efficient air travel. The sector also faces growing challenges, including fluctuating market demands and stricter regulatory requirements, making adaptability and strategic thinking more essential than ever. This environment highlights the need for leaders who can effectively combine technical expertise with visionary thinking to shape their future.
Raily Quah, Vice President Technical, is a leader whose passion for aviation fuels his strategic approach to the industry. His commitment to safety, innovation, and operational excellence reflects his dedication to advancing aviation. With a collaborative mindset, he inspires teams to balance technical precision with broader business goals. Raily’s ability to integrate technical knowledge with business acumen positions him as a guiding force, cultivating a proactive problem-solving culture and continuous improvement. His leadership focuses on accountability and excellence, aligning teams to achieve sustainable aviation sector success.
SGI Aviation is a global leader in delivering comprehensive technical leasing, asset management, and regulatory compliance solutions. The company’s commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards and operational efficiency has cemented its reputation as a trusted partner in the aviation sector. By integrating advanced technology and industry best practices, SGI Aviation continues to deliver tailored solutions that meet the diverse needs of its clients. Through a steadfast focus on quality and innovation, the company remains at the head of addressing the growing demands of the aviation industry.
Let’s explore Raily’s strategic leadership for a future-ready aviation industry:
Commitment to Safety and Innovation
Raily’s passion for aviation began at a young age, sparked by the awe of seeing aircraft in flight and the fascination with the intricacy behind their engineering. Connecting people, places, and cultures through the sky captivated him, inspiring him to pursue a lifelong aviation career.
This journey began 30 years ago when he joined Malaysia Airlines as a Trainee Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Since then, he has gained a broad spectrum of experiences, holding positions such as Engineer, Instructor, Manager, Head of Department, Consultant, and Regulatory Inspector.
These diverse roles have given him a deep understanding of the aviation industry, shaping his ability to steer challenges with technical precision and strategic insight. The experiences he has gained across airlines, MRO, training, and regulatory sectors have made him adaptable and resilient in this field. His passion for aviation continues to drive him forward, fueling his commitment to safety, innovation, and excellence and making every day in this industry fulfilling and rewarding.
Mastering Operational Efficiency
His experience across airlines, training, MRO, and aircraft leasing has provided him with a comprehensive perspective that impacts his current role. Working with airlines taught him the importance of operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and maintaining reliability in day-to-day operations, instilling a deep appreciation for precision and timeliness in aviation.
As a trainer and leader, Raily gained a solid understanding of the regulatory environment, safety standards, and the importance of developing skilled personnel, which has been crucial for cultivating a culture of excellence.
The MRO experience gave him valuable insight into the difficulties of maintaining aircraft, ensuring compliance with strict standards, and guaranteeing airworthiness—all essential knowledge for informed decision-making.
Transitioning into aircraft leasing added a commercial dimension to his expertise, giving him a strong foundation in asset management, risk assessment, and strategic planning. This blend of technical, operational, and commercial experience enables him to address tough challenges effectively and ensure alignment between technical operations and broader business objectives.
Collaborative Solutions in Aircraft Leasing
Raily finds solving aviation-related challenges, particularly in project management in technical leasing, rewarding due to the tangible impact on operational efficiency and asset optimization. In technical leasing, every decision has far-reaching consequences for the asset’s lifecycle and the lessee’s operations. Addressing these complications requires a strategic approach to project management, ensuring that aircraft are delivered and maintained in peak condition while minimizing downtime and costs.
The most fulfilling part of this work is balancing the technical, financial, and regulatory aspects to achieve optimal outcomes for all stakeholders. Whether coordinating inspections, managing redelivery conditions, or negotiating maintenance programs, he enjoys the challenge of aligning technical requirements with business objectives. Each project brings unique challenges, and finding solutions that ensure the aircraft remains compliant, reliable, and financially viable is immensely rewarding.
It is also gratifying to collaborate with a diverse range of professionals—from engineers to legal teams—to ensure that each aircraft meets stringent safety and performance standards, ultimately contributing to a successful lease cycle.
Integrating Technical Expertise with Business Acumen
His qualifications as a Licensed Aircraft Engineer and MBA have shaped his leadership style by integrating technical expertise with strategic business acumen. Raily’s background in Aircraft Maintenance gives him an in-depth understanding of aircraft systems, regulatory requirements, and operational challenges, which helps him effectively communicate with engineering teams and make informed decisions prioritizing safety and reliability.
The MBA has complemented his technical skills by giving him a broader understanding of business strategy, finance, and leadership. This understanding allows him to address intricate business situations, assess risks, and align technical initiatives with organizational goals. This combination has helped him approach challenges from both technical and strategic viewpoints.
In leading his team, Raily focuses on collaboration and proactive problem-solving. He encourages team members to apply their technical knowledge while also understanding the broader business context of their projects. This approach cultivates a sense of ownership and accountability and aligns their efforts with the organization’s overall objectives, driving operational excellence and strategic growth.
Effective Collaboration with Stakeholders
Raily’s approach to balancing independent problem-solving with being an effective team player centers around understanding when to take initiative and utilize the team’s strengths. Independent problem-solving is essential in technical leasing, especially when managing intricate technical aspects such as maintenance planning, redelivery conditions, or regulatory compliance. He uses his expertise to assess situations, make informed decisions, and drive projects forward to meet tight deadlines and operational requirements.
However, effective technical leasing requires extensive collaboration among stakeholders, including lessors, lessees, MROs, and regulatory bodies. Being an effective team player means ensuring that communication channels are open and transparent and everyone is aligned with project goals. He facilitates collaboration by sharing insights, coordinating activities, and ensuring all team members understand the technical requirements and the broader business context.
This balance of independent initiative and collaborative teamwork enables him to address the challenges of technical leasing, ensuring that projects are completed efficiently while meeting technical and contractual obligations.
Adapting to Market Changes in Aviation
According to Raily, the aviation industry has progressed over the years, driven by technological advancements, changing market dynamics, and increased focus on sustainability. Technological innovation has transformed how aircraft are designed, maintained, and operated, with digital tools, data analytics, and automation playing a role in enhancing efficiency and safety. The rise of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), carbon-neutral initiatives, and a focus on reducing environmental impact have also shaped industry priorities, reflecting a growing commitment to sustainability.
The business environment of aviation has also changed, with increased competition, growing passenger expectations, and fluctuating market conditions requiring greater flexibility and adaptability from stakeholders across the industry. To stay ahead of these changes, he actively engages in continuous learning through industry conferences, workshops, or professional courses.
He also keeps current with technological and regulatory developments through industry publications and networking. Embracing lifelong learning, adapting to new technologies, and maintaining a mindset of agility are key strategies that help him thrive amidst the changes in aviation.
Strategic Thinking in Technical Leasing
Several qualities are essential for success in his role, including adaptability, technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a strong mindset. Adaptability is crucial in aviation because unexpected challenges often arise, requiring swift decision-making and flexibility.
Technical expertise is equally important to ensure informed decision-making and to maintain the safety and reliability of operations, particularly in technical leasing, where compliance and airworthiness are paramount. Strategic thinking helps align technical actions with business goals, ensuring that decisions add value for all stakeholders.
A practical mindset is also key, as the role involves collaborating with diverse teams, negotiating with stakeholders, and ensuring alignment across multiple departments. Raily nurtures these qualities within his team by creating an environment that encourages proactive problem-solving, an open mindset, and continuous learning.
He provides opportunities for training, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional collaboration to build technical and interpersonal skills. By empowering his team members to take the initiative and supporting their growth, he cultivates a culture of excellence, accountability, and adaptability essential for success in aviation.
Effective Time Management Strategies
Raily believes maintaining a healthy work-life balance in the fast-paced aviation industry requires planning and discipline. He prioritizes effective time management by setting clear boundaries between work and personal time, ensuring he stays focused on high-priority tasks during work hours while safeguarding time for rest and individual activities. Delegation is also crucial—he ensures tasks are distributed effectively within the team to avoid bottlenecks and unnecessary stress.
He makes it a point to engage in activities outside of work that help him recharge, such as spending quality time alone or pursuing hobbies. These activities are essential for maintaining mental well-being and keeping a clear mind. He also practices mindfulness to stay present and reduce stress, which helps him remain focused and productive at work and home.
He also encourages his team to maintain their work-life balance by promoting flexible schedules and creating a supportive environment. He believes that when health and well-being are prioritized, everyone can perform at their best and achieve sustained success in the industry.
Keys to a Successful Aviation Career
Raily advises young professionals aspiring to build a successful aviation career to stay curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning. Aviation is a challenging industry with constantly changing technology, regulations, and market conditions. Embrace every opportunity to learn through formal training, hands-on experience, or seeking guidance from experienced colleagues. Raily states, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions; curiosity will help you gain deeper insights and become better equipped to face challenges.”
Developing technical expertise is essential, but equally crucial is building interpersonal skills. The aviation industry relies heavily on collaboration and teamwork, whether working with engineers, regulatory authorities, or cross-functional teams. Raily highlights, “Strong communication and a positive attitude will go a long way in establishing you as a dependable professional.”
Additionally, “Resilience and adaptability are key qualities in aviation. Challenges are inevitable, but the ability to adapt and maintain a solution-oriented approach will set you apart.”
Finally, “Always keep the bigger picture in mind. Understanding how your role contributes to safety, efficiency, and passenger satisfaction will give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment. You can achieve a rewarding aviation career with dedication, an open mind, and a passion for the industry”.
Mentoring the Next Generation in Aviation
Having recently transitioned from SGI, Raily is focusing on an exciting new journey—restructuring and growing a young startup in the aviation sector. This latest chapter presents an opportunity to use the wealth of experience he has gathered to build something innovative and impactful.
His immediate goal is to establish a strong foundation for the startup, creating a sustainable business model that can adapt to the intricacies of the aviation industry while embracing emerging technologies. Raily’s goals are growth, adaptability, and making a tangible impact. Restructuring a young company comes with unique challenges, from ensuring operational stability to nurturing a high-performance culture.
He aims to apply his expertise in technical leasing, project management, and strategic planning to guide the startup through its early stages of growth while focusing on efficiency and industry best practices. He is passionate about mentoring the next generation of aviation professionals and looks forward to creating a collaborative and innovative environment where talent is nurtured, and ideas are encouraged.
The company’s key goal is to create a scalable, customer-focused organization that delivers exceptional value to clients by solving real challenges in aviation, especially in areas like asset management, maintenance, and sustainability. The aim is to use technology to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and contribute to greener solutions for the industry. Ultimately, he envisions building a company that not only thrives in a competitive market but also helps shape the future of aviation positively and sustainably.
