One of the most respected figures in general aviation in Australia, Steve Padgett, has joined the judging panel for the 2015 Wings Awards.
Padgett, Managing Director of Aeromil Group and Chairman of Alliance Airlines, will add years of experience and aviation knowledge to the three-person panel.
"Getting Steve on board is a huge win," said fellow judge and Australian Flying editor Steve Hitchen. "When it came time for selecting another judge, his name was at the top of the list of people to approach. That such a prominent figure wanted to come on board shows how much the Wings Awards are valued by the general aviation community."
Padgett joins Hitchen and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society Andrew Drysdale on the judging panel for 2015. Short biographies on each judge are available on the Australian Flying website.
Nominations for the Wings Awards open on 31 March and close three months later on 30 June. Awards will be given in five categories this year:
- Aero Club of the Year
- Flying Training Organisation of the Year
- Flying Instructor of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement & Service to General Aviation
- General Aviation Airport of the Year