Former Brindabella Airlines owner Jeff Boyd has been appointed to the board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority as Deputy Chairman.
The appointment comes after the Forsyth Report recommended the CASA board be expanded to include people with aviation expertise.
Boyd, who sold Brindabella prior to its demise last year, has operated a flight training school, a maintenance company and currently runs aviation consultancy Kite Aviation.
He is also a director of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia, and has served as an advisor to several aviation panels.
The Forsyth Report noted that "Throughout the [review] panel’s consultation process, industry has been critical of the current Board’s lack of aviation experience, with only one member having aviation industry experience.
"The government has already committed to expanding the CASA Board, which presents an opportunity to ensure Board members with aviation experience are appointed."
Boyd's appointment is being hailed in the general aviation industry as a sign that the Forsyth Report is being taken seriously.
More announcements regarding the CASA board are expected to happen in the coming weeks.