Robert Ditchey began his career as an airline executive at National Airlines in Miami in the position of Director, Maintenance Administration and Contracts, reporting directly to the Vice President, Maintenance and Engineering. In this capacity, Mr. Ditchey negotiated and administered the largest set of outside maintenance support contracts in the US major airline industry. Chief among these maintenance contracts were heavy engine repair agreements with Cooper Airmotive in Dallas, for GE CF6 engines, and with TWA for Pratt & Whitney JT8 engines. Other large contracts were for instrument and avionics repairs with Barfield Instruments, and landing gear repairs with Pan American World Airways, among others.
During his tenure in this position, National Airlines began a major international expansion from Miami International Airport to Frankfort, Amsterdam, Zurich, and Paris, all with direct DC10-30 service. Mr. Ditchey negotiated maintenance support agreements for this expansion, including contracts with Lufthansa, KLM, UTA, and Swiss Air. Additionally, Mr. Ditchey negotiated terminal operations support in Paris with Aeroporte du Paris, including terminal support (ticketing) and signage.
In support of the expansion, Mr. Ditchey led the negotiation for a new aircraft purchase for a DC10-30 with Douglas Aircraft and for a temporary DC10-30 aircraft lease agreement with CP Air of Canada.
Also in support of the new European service, Mr. Ditchey developed and negotiated an entirely novel spare engine support agreement for an emergency CF6-30 spare engine availability that was subsequently provided by GE in Zurich, with a GE-owned engine available at all times for lease.
Mr. Ditchey negotiated a major airframe repair agreement for B727-200 aircraft with Boeing Wichita.
As one of the founders and the first Senior VP-Operations at America West, Mr. Ditchey negotiated numerous aircraft purchase and lease agreements for B737-200 aircraft. In the initial year of service for America West, Mr. Ditchey brought B737 aircraft from more than ten different countries, repatriating them through heavy maintenance at Calgary, Canada. Aircraft came from Taiwan, England, Holland, Belgium, Chile, Ireland, and even Swaziland, among others. Additionally, he negotiated with Boeing for the purchase of the B737-300, making America West one of the launch customers for that aircraft. He also negotiated a major support agreement with Pacific Western Airlines of Canada for maintenance support, including major airframe inspections and repairs, and for pilot training and flight operations support.
At MGM Grand Air, Mr. Ditchey negotiated two different heavy maintenance support agreements for the B727-100 aircraft, including unique luxury interior installations. He also negotiated the contract at LAX for a hangar lease.
As a consultant, Mr. Ditchey has had numerous engagements pertaining to maintenance contracts, including JT9 engine repairs with United Airlines, CFM56 engine repairs with GE, and engine component repairs with an OEM.
Mr. Ditchey consulted with a major law firm over an aircraft purchase agreement dispute between Douglas Aircraft and a European airline, involving claims about the aircraft performance guarantee.
As an Expert Witness in aviation litigation, Mr. Ditchey has dealt with a variety of contractual disputes. Among others, these have involved litigation concerning:
During his tenure in this position, National Airlines began a major international expansion from Miami International Airport to Frankfort, Amsterdam, Zurich, and Paris, all with direct DC10-30 service. Mr. Ditchey negotiated maintenance support agreements for this expansion, including contracts with Lufthansa, KLM, UTA, and Swiss Air. Additionally, Mr. Ditchey negotiated terminal operations support in Paris with Aeroporte du Paris, including terminal support (ticketing) and signage.
In support of the expansion, Mr. Ditchey led the negotiation for a new aircraft purchase for a DC10-30 with Douglas Aircraft and for a temporary DC10-30 aircraft lease agreement with CP Air of Canada.
Also in support of the new European service, Mr. Ditchey developed and negotiated an entirely novel spare engine support agreement for an emergency CF6-30 spare engine availability that was subsequently provided by GE in Zurich, with a GE-owned engine available at all times for lease.
Mr. Ditchey negotiated a major airframe repair agreement for B727-200 aircraft with Boeing Wichita.
As one of the founders and the first Senior VP-Operations at America West, Mr. Ditchey negotiated numerous aircraft purchase and lease agreements for B737-200 aircraft. In the initial year of service for America West, Mr. Ditchey brought B737 aircraft from more than ten different countries, repatriating them through heavy maintenance at Calgary, Canada. Aircraft came from Taiwan, England, Holland, Belgium, Chile, Ireland, and even Swaziland, among others. Additionally, he negotiated with Boeing for the purchase of the B737-300, making America West one of the launch customers for that aircraft. He also negotiated a major support agreement with Pacific Western Airlines of Canada for maintenance support, including major airframe inspections and repairs, and for pilot training and flight operations support.
At MGM Grand Air, Mr. Ditchey negotiated two different heavy maintenance support agreements for the B727-100 aircraft, including unique luxury interior installations. He also negotiated the contract at LAX for a hangar lease.
As a consultant, Mr. Ditchey has had numerous engagements pertaining to maintenance contracts, including JT9 engine repairs with United Airlines, CFM56 engine repairs with GE, and engine component repairs with an OEM.
Mr. Ditchey consulted with a major law firm over an aircraft purchase agreement dispute between Douglas Aircraft and a European airline, involving claims about the aircraft performance guarantee.
As an Expert Witness in aviation litigation, Mr. Ditchey has dealt with a variety of contractual disputes. Among others, these have involved litigation concerning:
- Aircraft Purchase Agreements
- Aircraft Lease Agreements
- Warranty Disputes
- Maintenance Disputes