Trophies and Awards

2023 Awards

The Grand Master’s Australian Medal

Awarded to an individual, a group or organisation involved in any branch of aviation in the Australian Region or to Australian nationals abroad, who or which has made a meritorious contribution to any aviation activity, either by displaying technical excellence or by the development of a procedure or operational technique of an outstanding nature.

2023 awarded to: Qantas Group Pilot Academy

The Australian aviation industry in 2017 was facing a pilot resourced challenge at all levels for well-trained pilots. This challenge resulted in various general aviation operators unable to provide key aviation services to remote communities throughout Australia.

The Qantas Group identified the need to develop a strategic mechanism that provides pilots for Australian general aviation as charter pilots and flight instructors but also develop a talent pipeline for the nation carrier’s needs. In February 2018 the Qantas Group proposed the establishment of an ab-initio pilot training school capable of training up to 250 students and it was envisaged that the Group would partner with an established flight training organisation to set up and operate the Academy in a regional location. The Academy’s strategic aims are:

Increasing attractiveness of a flying career for school-leavers, clearly defined career paths, support diversity and First Nations peoples in becoming pilots and generate employment, especially in regional Australia
Providing well trained professional pilots across the Australian aviation industry in particular supporting general aviation and flight instructing
Providing a talent pool to support the Qantas Group pilot resource needs.
Within 18 months, the Academy had opened its doors in partnership with Flight Training Adelaide at Wellcamp Airport, Toowoomba. By January 2020, the Academy’s facilities were completed including state of the art flight training and learning facilities plus onsite accommodation. Students of the Academy have experiences including an allocated Qantas Group Pilot mentor; professional development program; engagement with Qantas Group Chief Pilots and Heads of Training and Checking; site visits to Qantas facilities and access to Qantas resources to support their learning. These experiences are unprecedented in the Australian aviation industry.

Despite the pandemic the Academy to date has a zero-accident record and graduated 230+ students, with over 30+ gaining employment with the Qantas Group, 100+ are employed across the Australian aviation industry through various established partnerships and 30+ employed as flight instructors. Various programs including scholarships have been implemented to support diversity with over 22% of graduates being female and 3% First Nations which is a leading industry statistic. Over the coming twelve months, 100 graduates are planned to join the Qantas Group.

For their contribution to supporting the Australian aviation industry, the Qantas Group and Flight Training Adelaide are recognised for the establishment of the Qantas Group Pilot Academy and awarded the Grand Master’s Australian Medal.

The Australian Bi-Centennial Award

Awarded as an ongoing commemoration of the Australian Bi-Centenary, to recognise an outstanding individual contribution to Australian aviation.

2023 awarded to: Ian Honnery

Ian Honnery started his professional life as a lawyer while, on a pro-bono basis, simultaneously dedicating an enormous amount of time between 1976 and 1992 to his air show activities and to his responsibilities as the founding Chair of Aerospace Foundation of Australia Limited. Ian eventually became the fulltime Chief Executive of the organisation in 1999. Ian continued to serve as the CE of Aerospace Maritime Defence and Security Foundation of Australia, and then its corporate successor AMDA Foundation Limited until his retirement in 2022.

Ian’s personal flying background is both as a private pilot and a glider pilot. From being the President of the tiny Schofields Flying Club on Sydney’s Western outskirts to being the Chief Executive Officer of AMDA Foundation Ltd, running the Internationally famous ‘Airshows HONNERY IanDownUnder’, Ian Honnery can be regarded as being the driving force behind all that AMDA and its predecessors have achieved over the last 46 years. He was at the forefront of the inaugural Schofields Airshow in 1976 and has overseen the growth which has resulted in today’s significant and influential organisation.

A man of vision and of seemingly unlimited energy, Ian guided the Schofields Airshow from its modest and successful start. By the time of the last show in 1985 it had developed into a major event with significant military, industry and trade participation.

The Schofields crew was then given the task of organising and staging the Bicentennial Air Show at RAAF Richmond in 1988, on official Australian Bicentennial event. It was enormously successful and properly regarded as the best air show the country had seen. Military and civil participants from all over the world took part and the event was a great success with a large crowd in attendance.

As the show’s Executive Chairman, Ian’s contribution to the show was recognised in 1989 when he was awarded the Oswald Watt Gold Medal (Australia’s highest aviation award). Other awards have followed including the Paul Tissandier Diploma (FIA award), the inaugural R C Adams Award (AOPA, Aus), Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fellowship, a Fellowship of the Australian Aviation Safety Foundation and a Fellowship of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Ian’s vision did not end with the Bicentennial Airshow, it provided the catalyst which resulted in the creation of the Aerospace Foundation of Australia and its operational division, Airshows DownUnder, dedicated to the promotion of Australian aviation and its industry by staging a permanent and regular international air show.

The result was the first Australian International Air Show at Avalon Airport near Geelong in October 1992. It combined significant industry, military and government participation through the Aerospace Expo, conferences and industry media briefings with a lengthy and varied flying display for the public featuring everything from light aircraft to aerobatics, novelty acts, warbirds, airliners and supersonic jets.

Avalon grew into a biennial event from 1995 and quickly established itself as one of the world’s great airshows and the centrepiece of AMDA’s activities. On Ian Honnery’s watch the organisation has expanded and now also hosts several major events: Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition, Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition, Rotortech Helicopter and Unmanned Flight Exposition and CivSec International Civil Security Conference.

For making an outstanding individual contribution to Australian Aviation, Ian Honnery is awarded the Australian Bi-Centennial Award.

The Derry and Richards Memorial Medal

Awarded to a test pilot who has made an outstanding contribution in advancing the art and science of aviation.

2023 awarded to: Flight Lieutenant Aaron How RAAF

Flight Lieutenant Aaron How has emerged as the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) premier junior Flight Tester during his past year at the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU). His tenacious work ethic, strong airborne aptitude, objective judgement, high proficiency with test processes, ability to lead and mentor junior members and strategic organisational outlook are all of the highest standard.

Aaron can be relied upon for timely, accurate and objective judgement, flying performance and technical analysis. He has become a senior leader and mentor at ARDU. Aaron often volunteers for difficult or inconvenient tasks and maintains an exceptional flying rate of effort and throughput of flight test tasks. He concurrently maintains a B Category on the FA-18F, C Categories on Hawk-127 and PC-21 categories, as well as his Qualified Test Pilot category.

Aaron has skilfully led and/or flown a substantial number of disparate tasks including scoping for international innovative weapons programs, highly complex integrated test events in large joint exercises for networked Long-Range Strike Weapons, technical tuning of flight model of HOW Aaronthe PC-21 simulator to allow its use for training ab initio pilots, and novel air-to-air refuelling clearances. He provides routine assessment of new Number 82 Wing (F/A-18F and E/A-18G) capabilities and is relentless in ensuring the Squadron maintains its core flying and flight test capabilities such as Flight Test Aircrew selection and development of other aircrew at ARDU. On one occasion he was the Test Pilot on two concurrent PC-21 test programs, seamlessly switching between them despite having flights on the same day. Throughout, Aaron provided briefs to the large test team, reliable results, and detected anomalies in test data and proactively solved several problems allowing the team to achieve its test objectives and improving PC-21 capability for runway performance and datalink trail procedures. Aaron showed his adaptability this year becoming involved in capability development of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat. After providing Flight Test chase for MQ-28A flight trials at Woomera, Aaron was heavily involved in ongoing development of the platform through operational and flight test inputs to “sprint design sessions” with Boeing Defence Australia, as well as several other MQ-28 related trials.

In addition to performing the duties expected of most squadron pilots, Aaron must be across airworthiness regulations, flight test processes and analysis of highly technical test data, operational procedures and tactics for multiple platforms and maintenance of relationships with customers.

For consistently demonstrating the finest qualities expected of Flight Test Aircrew and RAAF pilots and significantly contributing to the capability development of a broad range of RAAF airborne systems including experimental Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), experimental weapons and several in-service simulators and aircraft, Flt Lt Aaron How is awarded the Derry and Richards Memorial Medal.

The Captain John Ashton Memorial Award

To recognise a professional pilot or organisation for an outstanding contribution to flight standards and aviation safety within Australia.

2023 awarded to: Captain Mark Tatton

Captain Mark Tatton currently holds the position of Check and Training Captain for Bonza and has held numerous training leadership roles over the years. Mark hales from Tasmania and started his training journey as an instructor with the Tasmanian Aero Club in 1987. Mark’s passion for training and imparting his knowledge and high standards has continued from that first instructional role.

TATTON MarkMark quickly moved into airlines, flying with Skywest as a Twin Otter Training Captain in Kununurra, amongst other key flying roles and then a move on to the Boeing 737-300 with Ansett Australia. Mark conducted Simulator instruction in his six years with Ansett before a number of flying roles on Kingairs, Boeing 727s and Boeing 737NG before making the move to Dubai to fly the Emirates Boeing 777. In the eight years with Emirates, Mark became a Boeing 777 Type Rating Instructor and Examiner and conducted other roles including contributing on the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) Steering Committee and as a LOSA Observer.

Mark left Emirates to return to Australia as an Airbus A320 pilot with Tigerair and with his wealth of training knowledge and experience was called upon to prepare for the transition of Tigerair from the Airbus A320 to the Boeing 737NG. Mark was the Aircraft Introduction Team Technical and Check and Training Captain for the Boeing 737, culminating in Mark holding a number of management positions, including Standards Check Captain, Training Manager Boeing 737, Deputy Head of Training and Checking. Unfortunately, in 2020 with the industry impacted by COVID, Tigerair closed the doors and Mark moved on. Mark’s passion and enthusiasm was not stifled at that point, he quickly renewed his CASA Grade 2 Flight Instructor rating with multi engine and IFR training endorsements, qualified as a lead auditor and commenced casual and contract instructing and charter flying. In addition, Mark gained his Senior Flight Instructor approval through Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus) and worked with a local flying school.

More recently Mark has ventured back into airlines, spending time as a B737NG Type Rating Instructor with Qantas and in the last 10 months as an inaugural Check and Training Captain for Bonza on the Boeing 737 MAX8. Mark often freely dedicates his time to continuously learning about aviation, attending aviation and safety forums and being available as a mentor for people at all stages within their flying journey.

A summary of some of his key achievements:

Development of manuals and training programs ranging from RAAus and GA to International Airlines.
Management and of the aircraft Check and Training systems through transition from Airbus A320 to Boeing 737NG, including frequent checking and training in simulators and on the line.
Contributing as a start-up Check and Training Captain with Bonza, including Operating Bonza’s inaugural passenger service.
Contributes to safety forums as a flight operations subject matter expert to continuously improve airline safety.
Interviewed and approved as a Head of Training and Checking postholder by CASA.
Mentoring flying school owners and new pilots.
For his service to Recreational Aviation, General Aviation and the airlines, through developing and imparting high training standards, Captain Mark Tatton is awarded the Captain John Ashton Memorial Award.

The Barry Marsden Memorial Award

Awarded to an individual, a complete aircraft crew, or an organisation, for an outstanding contribution to the preservation of life during (a) natural disaster(s).

2023 awarded to: CareFlight Australia

First awarded in 2022
During spring 2022 the central western region of New South Wales (NSW), Australia received nearly three times its average rainfall. The Lachlan River system was impacted. This system is a tributary of the Wyangala Dam, a major reservoir situated below the Lachlan and Abercrombie rivers, near Cowra, NSW. This rainfall was the cause of the event described below which required the services of CareFlight Emergency helicopters.

During the days preceding the event, heavy rain impacted the Lachlan and Abercrombie Rivers with between 120-250 mm falling over two days. 120mm had fallen in the preceding 12 hours alone, overwhelming already swollen rivers and dams.

Spills from Wyangala Dam peaked at a record 230,000m litres a day. In the early hours of 14 November 2022, in Eugowra, a town of approximately 700 people in Central Western NSW, the town’s flood alarm system sounded, warning residents in low lying areas to evacuate. Prior to dawn, Eugowra was almost destroyed by a flash flood that reached 11.2 metres. The wall of water was strong enough to lift cars and push houses off their foundations.

CareFlight – Todd Wilson – PilotRescue helicopters were sent in to assist. CareFlight operates and maintains rescue helicopters on behalf of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and was tasked to the area as part of the broader State Emergency Service (SES) and Australian Defence Force activities on the day. The CareFlight team was Todd Wilson, Rotary Wing Pilot, Jake Laurie, Aircrew Officer and Nigel Korff, RFS Aviation Rescue Crewman.

On arrival, the team was confronted with a scene of utter devastation, raging flood waters metres deep and residents and children perched on the roofs of their submerged homes, holding on to save their lives.

The CareFlight team displayed true humanity through real heroism. On that day, between 0830 CareFlight – Nigel Korff – NSW Rural Fire Service Aviation Rescue Crewmanand 1900, the team successfully completed 17 winch rescues safely, many off roof tops, 14 landings and accumulated 7.3 flight hours. The team received the following text message from one resident, rescued with her daughter, Korra, that clearly explains the extent of their efforts on the day.

“We had nothing up there on the roof. I was trying to wet Korra’s lips with my hand. You had a presence when I saw you checking the house across the road. I had waved at every helicopter for 6 and a half hours without hope, but you pointed back at me and I just cried! Just relief.

CareFlight – Jake Laurie – Aircrew OfficerI had jumped out of my car and ran to that house. We were inside but 2 waves hit us in the house, and we had to get out. We had slipped down that roof a few times. From tiredness of holding a toddler, I didn’t actually know how much longer I could stay there.

My car was 150 metres away, totalled from where I got out. I have nothing left from my house, but I’m not concerned, I have Korra.

Your calmness calmed me. In a devastating hopeless moment, you gave me hope. You were safe, and that was something I didn’t have that day.”

On that day, Todd, Jake and Nigel worked flawlessly as a team, conducting themselves calmly with outstanding technical knowledge and compassion, allowing the successful execution of 17 difficult rescues in a safe and efficient manner. For exceptional service in extreme circumstances the CareFlight team is awarded the Barry Marsden Memorial Award.

The Master’s Trophy for The Australian Region

The recipient is a person whom, through his/her actions, skills or endeavours, has beneficially assisted the Honourable Company or aviation in any way. The person may also have carried out a significant feat in an airborne or space vehicle.

2023 awarded to: Barbara Anne Trappett

Barbara Trappett commenced flying at Parafield Airport, South Australia in 1977 and by 1980 she had gained a Commercial Pilot Licence. Barbara has flown approximately 20 light aircraft types.

Barbara joined the then Department of Aviation in 1980, gaining a Diploma of Air Traffic Control. As an Air Traffic Controller she was based in Adelaide, Sydney, Darwin, Canberra and Melbourne. She worked in all facets of ATC – Operations, En Route Tower and Approach. She spent much of her ATC Career as a Training Officer both in an operational capacity and on the simulator. She attained the senior ATC position of Approach Controller.

In 2003 Barbara gained a Bachelor of Aviation from the University of Western Sydney.

Barbara became a Freeman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Australian Region in 2014. She was elected to the Australian Council in 2017 and served as Welfare Officer from 2019/2021. In this role, she was particularly supportive of young members, providing moral support and mentoring advice. Barbara was granted the Livery in late 2022 and will be clothed this year.

Barbara has generously sponsored several young members to join the Air Pilots. She also sponsored a young SA Air Pilots member to complete his Commercial Pilot Licence and then facilitated his employment as an airline pilot.

Barbara joined the Australian Women Pilots’ Association in 1978 and has served 15 years on state committees including as State President, three years as the National Secretary, one year as National Treasurer and is the current National President which has a three year term. In 2015, she organised the annual five day AWPA national conference at Victor Harbor in South Australia.

While enjoying her retirement from full time work, Barbara joined the South Australian Aviation Museum as an active volunteer in 2008 and is currently a weekend Shift Supervisor.

Barbara owns a vintage 1940 Ryan STM aircraft and recently sold a C182 which she had owned for 10 years. She owns a hangar at Goolwa Airport and in the next twelve months, intends to purchase another C182 or C210 aircraft.

In recognition of her contribution to Australian aviation, her support for women pilots and providing both financial and moral support for young Air Pilots members Barbara Trappett is nominated for the 2023 Master’s Trophy for the Australian Region.

2022 Awards

The Grand Master’s Australian Medal

2022 Awarded to: RAAF Centenary Flypast Team

On 31 March 2021, the Royal Australian Air Force celebrated 100 years of service since becoming an independent Air Force, built on the foundations of the Australian Flying Corps. In that time, the Royal Australian Air Force has grown from operating wood and canvas aircraft, to become one of the most integrated and capable fifth generation Air Forces in the world today.

A significant element of the centenary celebrations was a flypast over Canberra showcasing past and present Royal Australian Air Force aircraft, including participation in the parade in which the Royal Australian Air Force was presented with a new Queen’s Colour. The flypast culminated in a display over Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra by the Royal Australian Air Force aerobatic display team, the Roulettes. This effort was organised and led by a small team of expert aviators, under the leadership of the Royal Australian Air Force’s most experienced flying display director.

Planning for the event required significant and complex effort over a period of nine months, and culminated in the majority of the current Royal Australian Air Force inventory and over a dozen historic aircraft being represented in the flypast. In all, 57 aircraft with varying performance characteristics participated, many making multiple appearances over a period of ninety minutes. Flightpaths, holding patterns and timing gates were developed by the team to ensure a seamless and safe display was achieved. The display aircraft were supported by air-to-air refuelling assets and a coordinating Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft. Participation was also coordinated with Australian Army helicopters, in recognition of the service from previously Royal Australian Air Force operated rotary-wing aircraft, and a Royal Australian Navy Seahawk helicopter that ‘paraded’ the underslung Royal Australian Air Force Ensign to the significant crowd.

The Australian Bi-Centennial Award

Awarded as an ongoing commemoration of the Australian Bi-Centenary, to recognise an outstanding individual contribution to Australian aviation.

2022 Awarded to: Steve Padgett OAM

Steve Padgett has been in aviation since 1964. Steve learned to fly at age 16, winning a Royal Australian Airforce (RAAF) Flying Scholarship through the Air Training Corps (ATC), earning commissioned rank, Commercial Pilot’s Licence and Instructor Rating aged just 19. Steve has over 3,000 hours flying experience and has flown numerous types of aircraft from gyroplanes to business jets.

Whilst remaining in the RAAF Reserve Forces as an Instructor to the ATC, Steve started a career in aircraft sales and marketing with Hawker de Havilland and launched his own business in 1978, going on to form Aeromil Australia (later Aeromil Pacific) in 1980. Steve represented major aircraft manufacturers Beechcraft, Learjet, Embraer and Cessna and was successful in achieving a number of international sales awards.

Steve has been instrumental in developing new aviation markets and business in the Asia Pacific region. He facilitated the start-up of several airlines in Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Fiji, the South Pacific and Asia.

During the 1990s, Steve and partners acquired Austin Aero, Austin Texas, providing fuel and support services to major airlines and business and private aviation. As President of the company, the position afforded him considerable experience associated with corporate and commercial aviation in the USA.

The Master’s Trophy for the Australian Region

2022 Awarded to:  Liveryman Captain Robert G Dicker BSc(Arch) BE (GIS Hons)

After a distinguished 30-year career as an airline pilot, including 20 years with Cathay Pacific (Captain on A330 & A340) Rob Dicker re-settled in Australia and transferred his Honourable Company of Air Pilots membership to the Australian Region. With a passion for flying training and youth development, Rob was soon head of the Australian Region Aviation Careers and Education Committee (ACEC). In that role, Rob enhanced the visibility of the Australian Region’s aviation scholarship program, seeking out value-adding aviation company support, adding several scholarships to the ACEC program, and setting a new bar for selection to scholarship courses, including CPL and ATPL exams, instrument rating and multi-crew courses. His dedication, diligence, and commitment to the HCAPA ACEC has resulted in healthy competition within the emerging aviation community for highly-regarded HCAPA sponsored scholarships.

2021 Awards

The Grand Master’s Australian Medal

Awarded to an individual, a group or organisation involved in any branch of aviation in the Australian Region or to Australian nationals abroad, who or which has made a meritorious contribution to any aviation activity, either by displaying technical excellence or by the development of a procedure or operational technique of an outstanding nature.

2021 Awarded to: Flight Lieutenant Laura Haws

Flight Lieutenant Haws is an Engineering Staff Officer within Headquarters Air Combat Group, currently supporting F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler maintenance, logistics and engineering for Number 82 Wing at RAAF Base Amberley.

Currently, her primary role is to oversee the Fleet Management of the inventory of 35 Super Hornet and Growler aircraft. She is responsible for overseeing the scheduling of maintenance and modification for the fleet of aircraft, engines and associated components, including the planning of activities, allocation of resources, and liaison with operators (aircrew) and contractors to ensure availability of aircraft is maximised. The maintenance schedule for the aircraft is a complicated mix of both calendar- and usage-based, and is highly dynamic based on changing demands for usage, additional modifications and changes, and a substantial range of unscheduled work that leads to a constantly changing program of work.

As an engineering staff officer in 2020, Flight Lieutenant Haws was involved in a large range of engineering tasks and projects aimed at supporting the operating squadrons, through maximising their ability to generate operating aircraft. These tasks and projects required the exercising of leadership, direction, planning, problem solving and close liaison with a range of stakeholders. They are non-trivial tasks relating to system improvement, or correcting deficiencies, in order to support the more effective delivery of air combat capability in support of the RAAF and Australian Government objectives.

The Australian Bi-Centennial Award

Awarded as an ongoing commemoration of the Australian Bi-Centenary, to recognise an outstanding individual contribution to Australian aviation.

2021 Awarded to: Flt Lieutenant Geoffrey Fox

Flight Lieutenant Fox is a specialist aircrew officer and flying instructor of the highest calibre. His dedication to pilot training and standardisation whilst flying the 737-Boeing Business Jet at Number 34 Squadron have upheld the exacting standards required in the provision of VIP transport in support of the Government of Australia.

Flight Lieutenant Fox joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1987 and graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1989. He completed his pilot training in 1991 followed by operational tours on Falcon 900 and P3C Orion aircraft. In 1998, he graduated from flying instructor course followed by instructional tours at Number 2 Flying Training School and Central Flying School flying the PC-9A.

Achieving Squadron Leader rank in 2000 and Wing Commander in 2007, Flight Lieutenant Fox completed postings at Number 34 Squadron and various executive roles culminating in Command of Number 33 Squadron.

Returning to his passion in 2013, Flight Lieutenant Fox successfully gained a Specialist Aircrew posting at Number 34 Squadron accepting responsibility for pilot check, training and standardisation on the 737-Boeing Business Jet whilst also serving as an on-call line captain. The Specialist Aircrew role is designed to retain corporate knowledge guarding against routine Military posting cycles; Flight Lieutenant Fox has achieved this and continues to provide exemplary service in this role.

Captain John Ashton Memorial Award

To recognise a professional pilot or organisation for an outstanding contribution to flight standards and aviation safety within Australia.

2021 Awarded to: Royal Flying Doctor Service, Queensland Section

The Royal Flying Doctor Service Queensland Section (RFDSQ) transported 11700 patients in the last calendar year, logging just on 28200 flight hours for the period. From eight bases in Queensland, the area of operation encompasses Remote and Regional Australia with operations to unimproved surfaces; including road landing sites, as well as International Airports.

The Flight Standards Team of seven personnel, led by the Manager Flight Standards Warren Schmitt and oversighted by Head of Flying Operations (HOFO) Shane Lawrey are responsible for Flight Standards, including CASA Licensing requirements to meet the obligations and Aviation Standards for the organisation under the auspices of Air Operator Certificate CASA.TAAOC.0060-23.

To manage the risks, associate with single pilot operations in high performance turbo prop aircraft, in 24/7 aeromedical operations, the RFDSQ Pilot group participate in a robust training and checking regime. Each Pilot is subject to the following on an annual basis:

• 1 week of training and checking, twice yearly (nominally at 6-month intervals) themed on safety data from the RFDSQ Safety Management System (SMS) data and/or sector risk profiles.
• An in-aircraft night check consisting of a minimum of 3 sectors and night circuits at a “blackhole” aerodrome with 1 instrument approach on return.
• An in-aircraft route proficiency check conducted on a rostered shift assessing aeromedical tasking standards
• A Cabin Safety day, including theory, practical training and assessment of emergency procedure standards.
• Human factors training integrated with other disciplines based on themed SMS trends for the sector.
• Aviation and RFDSQ specific online recurrent training/testing.

The Master’s Trophy for the Australian Region

The recipient is a person whom, through his/her actions, skills or endeavours, has beneficially assisted the Honourable Company or aviation in any way. The person may also have carried out a significant feat in an airborne or space vehicle.

2021 Awarded to: Adrianne Fleming OAM

2020 Awards

The Grand Master’s Australian Medal

Awarded to an individual, a group or organisation involved in any branch of aviation in the Australian Region or to Australian nationals abroad, who or which has made a meritorious contribution to any aviation activity, either by displaying technical excellence or by the development of a procedure or operational technique of an outstanding nature.

2020 Awarded to: Captain Susan McHaffie

Captain Susan (Sue) McHaffie commenced her aviation career in 1989 as a flight instructor. For almost ten years she demonstrated her passion for training rising to become a Chief Flight Instructor and Examiner but most importantly she influenced and shaped the careers of many pilots flying across the world today.

In 1998 she commenced her relationship with the Bombarder (now De-Havilland) products by joining Flight Safety International initially as a Flight Simulator and Ground Instructor. By 2005, she was recognised by many Dash 8 operators as a technical expert on type so Tyrolean Airlines in Europe requested her assistance with the Dash 8 Q400 for 2 years from Flight Safety International. Following this Air Canada Jazz (Air Canada’s Regional Airline) signed her up for another two years to assist with and fly the Bombarder CRJ. After assisting Jazz she returned to Flight Safety International