Peter ‘Pip’ Borrman

Pip Borrman was the antithesis of the painful reality that afflicts many role models today. Here was a man that was at the top of his game, greatly admired and yet was supremely humble about his ability in the air as he was about his achievements on the ground.

Pip was born at Swan Hill in 1954 but more importantly was raised on the family outback sheep station called Chillichil which shaped his salt of the earth character and his affinity and empathy for his fellow Australians that worked the land. Pip’s father taught him to fly at their property when he was just 9 and he soloed in his father’s Tiger Moth at the age of 13. His teenage years were quite different to those of the normal teen and he actually flew into town at the age of 16 to do his Driving License test. He logged many hours in the family Cessna 175 which was the work horse of the Chillichil property, mustering and carrying sheep, checking fences and wells.

In 1975 Pip’s father was killed in a tragic Tiger moth accident and not long after Pip took on the responsibility of running Chillichil. Pip married his soul mate Janet, and together they raised their children Edwin and Sarah in the harsh environs of Chillichil before heading for the big smoke that was Shepparton and the opportunity to take on the auto wreckers business.

Almost 10 years after his death Pip came across his fathers Tiger Moth, he lovingly restored it and provided endless joyrides for friends and family. Eight years later he sold the Tiger Moth and purchased a Pitts S2A to pursue his aerobatic dreams. He restored the S2A which served him well and he then migrated to a Pitts Falcon where he discovered gyroscopic manoeuvres that leave no room for error or the faint hearted. While Pip competed and did well in competition aerobatics he decided his style and preference was more suited to the type of displays seen in freestyle airshow displays. This lead him on the hunt for the ideal aircraft for the purpose, his Zivko Edge 540 which he became synonymous with and which took him to the top of the Australian airshow scene.

Pip was a unique individual and after many years in the Edge he craved a similarly unique aircraft to add to his airshow arsenal, he joined forces with Barry Manktelow of B&R Aviation to build the Pitts Samson replica which flew for the first time in 2008. Samson was a modern incarnation of a muscle bi-plane and was a testament to Barry and Pip’s workmanship. Out of necessity Pip’s time on remote Chillichil station developed his engineering ability which when applied to aviation become his renowned meticulous attention to detail and perfection when preparing and maintaining his aircraft.

Outside of his family Pip had many people support him through his aerobatic career, his aerobatic mentor, 13 times Australian champion Chris Sperou and long time friend and trusted mechanic Rudy Spiessl who prepared his engines. Pip’s professionalism led to business relationships with QBE Aviation Insurance and Air BP and these business relationships in turn developed into great friendships. Pip was always held in high regard by CASA and this was reflected in his awarding of Ground Level Waivers and the unique ability to manage his own airshow approval process. CASA also engaged Pip in consultancy roles specific to airshows.

Pip was quick to offer support to those that were less fortunate than him, he freely gave of his time to perform at charity events for organizations like Make a Wish Foundation and his passion for aviation saw him supporting industry events and programs like RVAC’s Young Eagles.

While Pip will be remembered by most for his spectacular airshow performances, those that new him well will remember him for his unique personal attributes. As an aviator we were inspired by his skill, passion, discipline and his dedication to safety. If the aircraft, the conditions or his own personal preparation were not 100% he would not fly, consequently most evenings prior to an airshow he was tucked up in bed by 8:30 after having consumed no more than a half scotch and soda. As an individual he possessed a rapier wit, he didn’t suffer fools and yet he was deeply respectful of others. In his latter years as his airshow career blossomed he struggled with the additional public attention and adulation that came with it as fame, for the want of a better term, didn’t sit well with him.

While his web site motto was ‘Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary’ he always conducted himself in a disarmingly honest and ordinary manner when on the ground.

While the aviation community will sorely miss him our thoughts are collectively with those that will miss him most, his wife Janet and children Edwin and Sarah.