Gilles Latour
Managing Director / Aviation Consultancy Company
After a successful career in the French Air Force, as an aeronautical engineer, I spent 2 years as the commercial director and the managing director of Seabird Aviation Jordan, a small aircraft manufacturer building the Seeker, an Australian-designed Jordanian-assembled surveillance plane.
I am trying to help Jordanian and foreign companies to develop their business and their presence in the region.
I am currently working on several aviation and defense projects. I am also trying to set up capabilities in the Middle East in the following fields: aerial photography, airport calibration, aircraft maintenance and repair, engine maintenance and repair, helicopters. I am also involved in an environmental project in Jordan (biodiesel).
163 contactsI am a consultant in business development, specialized in the aviation and defense business.
I used to be the French Defense Attaché in Amman, and I am now working on several projects in Jordan and in the Middle East.
2004 - 2006I was called by King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) to come and help a start-up company launched by His Majesty to build small aircraft. I was asked to lead the set up of a production line for a dual-seat piston-engine surveillance aircraft called the SEEKER which was originally designed in Australia, and also to develop their sales and marketing capabilities.
Seabird Aviation Jordan has been the first company in the Middle East to set up the production of an aircraft from A to Z (the aircraft had never been produced on an industrial scale before). The very first aircraft built in Jordan has been delivered to its customer in South Africa in the summer of 2006.
2003 - 2004I was the senior engineer of the Weapons Systems Office at the French Air Force Headquarters.
I was the Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) manager of the Airbus 400 M program for the French Air Force, and also the focal point in the headquarters for many programs and technical issues: Rafale program, airworthiness, engine support, pilot training aircraft selection, Medium Range Interim Drone System, accident investigations, aircraft upgrades, etc...
2000 - 2003As the French defense Attaché in Amman, Jordan, I was involved in training the Jordan Armed Forces in various fields: special operations, anti-riot, close protection, hostage rescue, skydiving, helicopter tactical training, navy commando operations. I also set up the joint Mirage F1 exercises between the French Air Force and the Royal Jordanian Air Force, and hosted the French aerobatic team, la Patrouille de France, in Jordan in 2001.
1998 - 2000I was on the personal staff of the Chief of the French Air Force, assistant to his chef de cabinet and his technical advisor.
1997 - 1998I attended the French Defense College in Paris, at the Ecole Militaire, in the 5th class of the College Interarmées de Defense (C.I.D.).