Australian Flying is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 CASA Wings Awards. The CASA Wings Awards recognise the achievements of flyers, instructors, clubs and services in general aviation. CASA, the Australian Division of the Royal Aeronautical Society and Australian Flying congratulate the following award winners.
Col Pay Award for a Lifetime of Service to General Aviation
Rod Birrell
Rod Birrell built his first aircraft while at secondary school (glider, solo build), and completed his ab initio training at Lilydale Airfield Victoria. He completed his CPL at Nationwide Aviation Academy at Cessnock NSW, and was instrumental in forming the Hang Gliding Federation of Australia (HGFA). His Airline Transport Pilot Licence theory was completed at RMIT after which he built two more sport aircraft.
Rod was a flying instructor at both Moorabbin Aviation Academy and Lilydale Flying School. He was an IFR charter pilot with SAATAS Darwin (now Air North) and then progressed to fly with TAA/Australian airlines flying Fokker F27 and Boeing 727 aircraft. He is a founding member of the Australian Ultralight Federation (now Recreational Aviation Australia – RAAus) and served as the Operations Manager with the AUF.
Birrell has served several stints on the board of RAAus and has had a significant impact on the direction and future of the organisation.
In addition, Rod flew as an honorary pilot for the Cousteau Foundation, flying at the island nation of Nauru, and also formed and trained The Red Sparrows formation flying team that performed regularly at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon.
He has contributed to aviation for 40 years as a flight instructor, and promoter of all forms of aviation.
Amongst the aviation organisations, Birrell helped create a scholarship program called GYFTS, Giving Young Flyers Training Support. This program has distributed over $500,000 to young pilots all over Australia to giving them a flying start to their aviation career.
Rod has dedicated himself to sharing the passion of flight with everyone he meets if someone wants to learn Rod will teach them with kindness and compassion. Rod will often take on pilots with problems, often rejected by other flying schools to enable them to become a pilot.
Rod was Chief Flying Instructor, instructor trainer and pilot examiner at Airsports Flying School, initially based at Penfield and now located at Riddells Creek Airfield, Victoria.
Aero Club of the Year
Royal Victorian Aero Club
The Royal Victorian Aero Club (RVAC) has been in operation for 109 years and was the Victorian chapter of the Australian Aero Club, formed in Point Cook in 1914. RVAC has recently changed its approach to leadership by separating the Board of Directors from everyday management by hiring a full time paid CEO for the first time this century. Meanwhile the Director portfolios have been reorganized to focus on risk, member activities and fleet renewal.
From an airborne perspective the club continues to host monthly competitions, the Dawn Patrol to commemorate the battle of Britain, Young Eagles, a Remembrance Day flight and visits to other aerodromes for hot coffees.
The club has a few active formation endorsed members, the club has taken the lead to create a Victorian Formation Flyers Group, with the intention creating a platform for formation endorsed pilots in Victoria to build their skills together and share learnings through a mentoring program.
The club actively promotes general aviation to the wider community through publicly accessible events worthy of attendance. We hosted Air Commodore Tim Alsopp as guest speaker for Dawn Patrol. Air Commodore Alsopp is a former RVAC student whom become a fighter pilot in the RAAF and finished as commander of all combat forces and is one of the clubs patrons.
RVAC owns the bistro, called the Flight Deck Bar and Grill, which is situated on the boundary of airside on the western apron of Moorabbin. The venue has excellent views of the airport and actively promotes general aviation by permitting the general public to get up and close to aircraft.
The club has commenced its transition to technology with the rolling out of a members app, new website and apparel. The website handles more and more members enquiries from aviation documents, member events and package deals, to enhance the flying skills of members and to encourage them to challenge themselves the club authorized a series of package deals for members.
These deals include a fixed fee or heavy discounts for upgrades to retractable endorsements, private instrument rating, formation and bulk purchasing of flight hours.
Flying Instructor of the Year
Trent Robinson – Trent Robinson Aviation
Trent Robinson runs his own flight training organisation, conducting flight training out of the Northern Territory and running the podcast Flight Training Australia, which has added to the thirst to learn by introducing important topics to student pilots. He has also a reputation for making new pilot feel welcome In the industry at all levels.
A former line pilot with CareFlight NT, Robinson has many hours on B200 King Airs and was a flying instructor and chief pilot at Royal Aero Club of WA, and with Advanced Cockpit Flight Training.
Robinson is known for shoning students the beauty of flying in the Northern Territory, but tempered with the specific risks of weather the NT is known for.
"He is always available for a question and sharing his journey of learning especially getting his float licence," his nominator said. "He is passionate about safety and will call you out if an issue. A mistake is taught as a lesson to make you a better pilot."
Trent Robinson Aviation is a Part 141 flight training school, and Robinson himself is an Independent Flight Examiner performing flight training and flight tests from RPL through to Instrument Rating and Instructor Training, as well as Flight Examiner Proficiency Checks and Part 119 check and training for Part 135 operators.
Flying Training Organisation of the Year
Australian Jump Pilot Academy
Based at Shellharbour Regional Airport at Albion Park, NSW, Australian Jump Pilot Academy (AJPA) is the parachute industry's (PJE) inaugural, and still to date, only CASA Part 141 Accredited Flight Training Provider, at the forefront of industry reforms and safety standards. Through providing industry-first accredited training syllabus, AJPA is committed to preparing pilots to safely, professionally and competently operate IFR Single Engine Turbine aircraft undertaking PJE operations.
AJPA has consolidated its goal to provide exceptional flight training services and is regarded as the leading PJE industry training provider, with an unwavering commitment to safety and compliance and significantly improving piloting standards and professionalism across the parachuting industry.
AJPA is the parachuting industry's only specialised flight training organisation, providing tailored course packages for both private and commercial VFR and IFR pilots specifically aiming to enter the parachuting industry.
With tailored courses specialising in basic gas turbine, formation, Australian Parachute Federation jump pilot authorisations and ICUS packages, AJPA is able to provide pilots the training necessary to seek employment within the industry.
AJPA is the industry's only dedicated training organisation that is committed to the education and development of pilots wishing to act as PIC of parachute jump aircraft and was established to improve the professionalism and piloting standards across what has traditionally been a challenging industry.
Courses are tailored to equip our students with the necessary authorisations and approvals to be readily employable within the PJE industry.
Young Achiever of the Year
Lachlan Hyde
Lachlan's lifelong dedication to aviation is truly remarkable. His passion for flying was ignited at a very young age, as he spent his early years surrounded by aircraft, with his father's aviation career as a constant presence. This early exposure fostered a deep-rooted connection to the world of aviation.
In 2009, Lachlan's dedication to aviation took a more tangible form when he joined the Australian Air League. His journey within this aviation youth organisation evolved, ultimately leading to his appointment as the Group Air Activities Officer for NSW in 2022. This pivotal role entrusted him with overseeing all aviation-related activities within the state.
One of his most notable accomplishments during his tenure with the Australian Air League was leading their Air Activities Centre at Camden Airport which is a Part 141 Flight Training and Part 135 Air Transport Organisation. This achievement is particularly impressive given that it remains one of the few volunteer-run and not-for-profit flight training organisations of its kind in the entire country.
Hyde embarked on the challenging task of reviving the Royal Aero Club of New South Wales, a legacy aviation institution with a history spanning over a century. Under his guidance, the Royal Aero Club grew to be positioned as the Southern Hemisphere's largest volunteer flying school, uniquely dedicated to preparing the next generation of pilots, leaders, and aviators for successful careers in the industry.
His dedication is evident in his lifelong commitment to the aviation industry and his tireless efforts to improve it. His transformative leadership and strategic vision have left an indelible mark, setting a high standard for dedication to the field.
Lachlan's ability to stand out in his field is extraordinary, especially considering his young age. His remarkable achievements, such as turning around a struggling aviation business and building a brand-new aviation community, demonstrate a level of commitment and leadership that is rarely seen in individuals of his age.
One of Lachlan's most exceptional qualities is his talent for inspiring others to join his cause. He has attracted highly qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds, who willingly donate their time and expertise to mentor young people within the Royal Aero Club. This commitment to giving back is a testament to his character and leadership.
Once again, CASA, the Australian Division of the Royal Aeronautical Society and Australian Flying congratulate these very worthy winners and thank them for their significant contributions to general aviation.