EUROCAE Appoints New Director General

EUROCAE appoints Anna von Groote as new Director General. She will assume her new role on 14 February 2022 and will succeed Christian Schleifer-Heingärtner. 

“It was an amazing flight, where I was able to act as pilot in command over nearly eight years. This journey was full of adventures, sometimes rain and snow, we experienced strong winds at times, including headwind, thunderstorms, and other reasons that caused a diversion. At cruising level, over the clouds, we had sunshine, smooth air and had good range with the chosen power setting. After this long-haul flight, we have safely landed at the destination. Now it is time to change the cockpit crew, refuel the airplane, do a walk around and oil check before EUROCAE will be back in the air climbing to the next higher level. I’m extremely happy that Anna will take over controls and will steer EUROCAE for the next leg. She knows EUROCAE inside out, she is aware of the normal and emergency procedures, and she has the ratings, skills and experiences needed to conduct this next flight. Happy landings Anna! For me, it is time to start preparing my next intercontinental flight, while always keeping this EUROCAE flight in good memory. A big “Thank You” to the whole crew, on ground and in the air,” said Christian Schleifer-Heingärtner.

The appointment was confirmed following the decision made by the EUROCAE Council. “In eight years as head of EUROCAE Secretariat, Christian significantly developed and improved EUROCAE. We recognise his tremendous achievements, and the EUROCAE Council unanimously thanks him for his commitment over these years and wishes him the best for his future. We have full confidence in Anna to efficiently drive the association towards further success,” said Bruno Ayral, EUROCAE President.  

“I am honoured to lead EUROCAE, the European leader in the development of worldwide recognised industry standards for aviation. I look forward to working with the great Secretariat team, the governing bodies and all Members and Partners of the Association to continue towards our shared goals for a safe, efficient, and more sustainable aviation,” says Anna von Groote. 

Anna has been working in aviation standardisation since 2006. She has been with EUROCAE since 2011 and was responsible for the management of standards development activities and related tasks as Director Technical Programme.  She holds a Master’s Degree in European Studies from University of Bonn, and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Technology and Intellectual Property Law from Liverpool University