Meet our customer - Ms. Rie Sota, Director, Production Engineering at ANA

All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) has been a valued customer of Rolls-Royce’s Civil Aerospace business for 60 years.  To ensure the safe operation of aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce engines, we work closely with ANA personnel. As an example of such cooperation, we introduce Ms. Rie Sota, who does production engineering at an engine overhaul facility.

Fokker F-27 Friendship powered by Dart

“I am engaged in production engineering at an aircraft engine overhaul facility as a team leader in Production Engineering at ANA. Production engineering may imply a strong manufacturing industry connection, but ‘production’ also takes place at overhaul facilities. For engines, which undergo periodic inspections and repairs, the team discusses and decides with Rolls-Royce, the manufacturer, how each engine should be disassembled, inspected, repaired or refurbished. Based on these decisions, the engines go through a process of disassembly, inspection and reassembly, and we handle any technical issues that arise. We help ensure the engines’ reliability by investigating the causes of faults identified and determining how to prevent them, in consultation with Rolls-Royce as necessary. Based on knowledge specific to overhaul facilities, we are able to take measures to improve the reliability of aircraft engines in operation, which is a great responsibility but also very rewarding.”

Lockheed L-1011 TriStar powered by RB211

“As part of my training, I was ANA’s first female engineer to be sent to Rolls-Royce’s Derby manufacturing facility in the UK. Previously, I had worked from the perspective of maintaining and improving the reliability of engines in use, but during my two years in Derby, I learned about how engines are developed and how to ensure and improve the reliability of aftermarket engines. Although I sometimes had difficulties with English, thanks to the understanding and support of my colleagues I was able to perform my work. The exposure to things like development and failure analysis methods based on Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency regulations, as well as the relationships I made, continue to be useful in my work.”

Boeing 787 Dreamliner powered by Trent 1000

“Engineers from all over the world gather in Derby and I experienced a diverse and inclusive environment. The students working and learning on site through internships and apprenticeships, as well as the many female engineers working at the forefront of the company, were a great source of inspiration to me.”

“My advice to students who aspire to become engineers is to study abroad to do research to broaden your horizons. Compared to my student days, I think the environment for studying at overseas universities is much better now. Don’t miss out on opportunities for reasons such as ‘I am not confident’ or ‘I need to learn the basics first’. If there is an opportunity in front of you, grasp it.”