To promote excellence in aviation, the Air Pilots present trophies and other awards to recognise outstanding performance or achievement by individuals or organisations.
In addition to the general awards there are a number of awards that are specific to the Australian Region which are detailed below.
The prestigious Trophies and Awards Banquet takes place annually at Guildhall, London in October.
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.
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.
Group Captain Tim Sloane and his team of four undertook all of the planning and liaison for the event. This included liaison with multiple Royal Australian Air Force units and organisations, the operators of the civilian operated historic aircraft, civilian and military air traffic agencies, and approval authorities from the Australian Defence Force and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. During conduct of the event, all team members played an active role in ensuring formation timings, leadership, management, and safety were maintained.
Organisation and execution of the event was not without challenges. Due to the fluid COVID-19 restrictions, several team members spent some time in quarantine and were therefore required to continue their work remotely. COVID-19 also meant that the planned communications network was unable to be established, so the team quickly implemented an alternate solution. Further, one team member was isolated for a number of days due the New South Wales floods. The final hurdle overcome was the threat of a number of aircraft from Queensland based units being unable to participate due to the last minute COVID-19 lockdowns, requiring late-night contingency plans to be developed in the event the threat was realised.
Despite these challenges and the constantly changing environment, Group Captain Sloane and his team maintained a quiet determination to ensure the event showcased to best effect the past and present Royal Australian Air Force; which was a fitting tribute to the more than 350,000 Australians who have served, and the more than 11,100 of these who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
On the day, the event went off without incident. That it achieved the aim of spectacularly and safely showcasing 100 years of the Royal Australian Air Force is not in doubt. Indeed, the significant crowd of both public and Australian Defence Force members surrounding Lake Burley Griffin burst into spontaneous applause at the culmination of the ninety minute series of timed flypasts and grand parade of heritage and current operational aircraft.
For their significant contribution, professionalism and dedication, and in true RAAF spirit – through adversity to the stars – Group Captain Tim Sloane and his Royal Australian Air Force Centenary Flypast Team (Squadron Leaders James Denton, Jason Gamlin, Christopher Rogers and Flight Sergeant Tim Muehlberg) are 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.
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.
In 1995, Steve moved his aviation interests in Australia from Bankstown Airport, Sydney to a greenfield site on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast Airport in order to develop Aeromil and other opportunities. This initiative ultimately resulted in the purchase and construction of multiple hangars and facilities, the formation of Sunshine Express Airlines in 1998, and in 2002, the establishment of the Singapore Flying College Advanced Jet Training facility for Singapore Airlines. This has now become Universal Training Systems (UTS), providing advanced jet and turbo prop full motion simulation and related training for private, military, commercial and government organisations from around the world. Also, at the airport, Steve’s personal business interests include Flight Options Pilot Academy providing ab initio, commercial and advanced pilot training to airline standards; Flight Options Charter and Aircraft Management and SJP Aviation aircraft sales and specialist consulting services
In 2002, another significant career milestone was achieved, Steve Padgett co-founded Alliance Airlines, acquiring the assets of Flight West Airlines which was in administration at the time. From two Fokker airline jets and 75 employees at inception, Alliance has grown into the pre-emanate Fly In Fly Out (FIFO) operator in Australia and, supplier of charter services to all major Australian airlines. With over 40 Fokker aircraft in service, the largest single fleet in the world, the airline is now a public company with over 600 employees and bases all over the country. Steve was founding Chairman of Alliance Airlines and retains that position today.
In 2005, Steve Padgett’s company Aeromil Pacific secured the representation rights for Cessna and expanded business and infrastructure on Sunshine Coast and Bankstown Airports.
Under the guidance of Steve, Aeromil Pacific became one of Australia’s largest and most successful privately owned and operated aviation companies, acquired by Hawker Pacific in 2015, with Steve appointed Deputy Chairman of Hawker Pacific (Australia).
As Chairman of the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame, a member of the Australian Air Force Cadets Foundation and life member of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia, Steve contributes to the industry which provided him with his start and his career long passion for all things aviation and the people who work with him in it. Steve Padgett is recognised as a leader in aviation and has been acknowledged by his peers as one the region’s top 10 people of influence.
In June 2019, Steve Padgett was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for outstanding achievement and service. For making an outstanding individual contribution to Australian Aviation, Steve Padgett OAM is awarded the Australian Bi-Centennial 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.
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.
After several years leading the ACEC, Rob was elected Chairman of HCAP Australian Region at the Annual General Meeting in March 2019, and eased into the role as Chairman in July 2019. Rob applied himself with equal aplomb and diligence to the Chairman role. He was across numerous issues, adding to the engagement of HCAPA with the regulator, Airservices, and numerous other agencies. The contacts he made as head of ACEC stood him in good stead, and he used those contacts to further the position and influence of HCAPA to, arguably, new levels. Rob’s tour of duty coincided with COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic, Rob maintained an outstanding level of contact with the Executive Council, using Zoom meetings to best effect, he looked after the welfare of all HCAP/HCAPA members, from those directly impacted by the stand downs and lay-offs, through to senior members who were ‘locked down’ and restricted with limited family support and/or social contacts.
In his spare time post-Cathay, Rob has completed a degree in Geospatial Engineering (with 1st Class Honours) and is an active flying instructor at the Royal Australian Navy base/HMAS Albatross flying club at Nowra.
Rob Dicker has been the consummate Chairman, allowing others to lead a topic, asking the right questions, and driving sensible outcomes across a myriad of issues. Rob reads the room well, knows when to use HCAPA to best effect and always with respect and professionalism. He has injected himself into CASA matters where required and allowed others to participate in debate across the topics near and dear to HCAP – safety and standards.
In recognition of excellent service to the Honourable Company of Air Pilots Australian Region Rob is awarded the Master’s Australian Trophy 2022.
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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreCaptain 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:
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
Adrianne Fleming learned to fly in the late 1980s whilst working for the Civil Aviation Authority as an Airways Systems Data Officer, a support role to Air Traffic Control. By August 1993, aged just 24, she had advanced to hold a Commercial Pilot Licence and Grade 1 Flight Instructor rating, and with her husband Geoff, opened her own flying school, Tristar Aviation, at Moorabbin airport in Melbourne.
Over the years, as they developed the business, Adrianne became known as a specialist in training methodology and the school expanded to the highest levels of aviation training, with a staff of 12 instructors and offering approved courses to Australian and overseas students. Many of their former students are now employed with Australian and overseas airlines.
Read MoreThe 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
Read MoreThe Australian Bi-Centennial Award
Awarded as an ongoing commemoration of the Australian Bi-Centenary, to recognise an outstanding individual contribution to Australian aviation.
2020 Awarded to: Greg Hood FRAeS, ATSB Chief Commissioner and CEO
Gregory (Greg) James Hood has spent his entire career in aviation and risen to become one of the most respected aviation administrators in Australia and internationally.
Greg Hood (born September, 1960) grew up in Adelaide, South Australia. Following school and a stint at university Greg joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1980 as an Air Traffic Controller serving for the next ten years at various location around Australia as well as a deployment to the Sinai.
Upon leaving the RAAF Greg took his Air Traffic Controller skills to the civil sphere and joined Australia’s Air Navigation Services provider, initially the Civil Aviation Authority and later, Airservices Australia. Greg worked in a number of ATC centres around Australia for the next three years before moving to the Centre for Air Traffic Services, University of Tasmania, as an ATC instructor, based in Launceston.
Read MoreCaptain John Ashton Memorial Award
To recognise a professional pilot or organisation for an outstanding contribution to flight standards and aviation safety within Australia.
2020 Awarded to: Captain Graham Stokes FRAes
Captain Graham Stokes FRAeS currently holds the position of Head of Training and Standards for Virgin Australia Group which includes Chief Executive Officer – Virgin Australia Part 142 Training Organisation, accountable for Flight Crew and Cabin Crew Training and Checking. He is also a B737-800 Captain.
Graham was born in the United Kingdom and educated at Windsor Grammar School from 1974 to 1981. By 1983 he had become a Flying instructor at Wycombe Air Centre.
Read MoreThe 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.
2020 Awarded to: Michael Cleaver BSc (Hons)
Michael (Mike) Cleaver was born in January 1949 and grew up in the Bristol area of the United Kingdom.
After school he attended the University of East Anglia where he gained a BSc (Hons) in Chemical Sciences and Education and subsequently became a Science Teacher. It appears that his interest in Aviation was spawned during his university days as Secretary of a Gliding Club. Since that time Mike has had an abiding interest in Light Sports Aviation, General Aviation, Gliding and Ballooning.
Read MoreThe 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.
2019 Awarded to: RAAF Aircraft Research and Development Unit
The Australian Bi-Centennial Award
Awarded as an ongoing commemoration of the Australian Bi-Centenary, to recognise an outstanding individual contribution to Australian aviation.
2019 Awarded to: Nathan Higgins, Advanced Flight Theory
Captain John Ashton Memorial Award
To recognise a professional pilot or organisation for an outstanding contribution to flight standards and aviation safety within Australia.
2019 Awarded to: Captain David Evans
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.
2019 Awarded to: Captain Darryl Hill
For a complete list of current and previous Trophies and Awards winners please visit this link.
If you have any questions about our awards please contact awards@airpilots.org.au.