Goodbye and good luck

I’ve always considered myself to be very lucky to have landed at Australian Aviation fresh from school, and to this day I am grateful to founding editor and owner Jim Thorn for giving me the opportunity to join the magazine when I offered little more in the way of employable skills than enthusiasm!

So for just the third time in its history, Australian Aviation has a new editor. Like I did, Steve Gibbons brings to Australian Aviation a great passion and enthusiasm for aviation. But unlike me he joins after an extensive career in media, working for major newspapers and media companies as a journalist, editor, managing editor and executive editor.

I leave the editor’s chair at Australian Aviation knowing that Steve is more than just a safe pair of hands, but someone who will bring fresh energy and a new perspective to the role.

Steve will work closely with Australian Aviation owner Christian ‘Boo’ Boucousis and news editor Jordan Chong to help execute Boo’s vision of making Australian Aviation a world leader in digital media. Never in its 41 years has Australian Aviation’s future looked more exciting.

My future looks exciting too, with a challenging new career opportunity to pursue. But for now I wanted to thank you, the Australian Aviation reader, for your support and custom. I have been privileged to have witnessed much aviation history and to have enjoyed some unique experiences, but that has only been possible thanks to you.

I hope I have done that privilege justice.

News Editor Jordan Chong writes:

Gerard Frawley has been synonymous with Australian Aviation for most of his 27 years at the publication.

It was a journalism career that began after what he has previously described as a rigorous interview by then editor Jim Thorn who subjected the aspiring cadet with a host of technical questions designed to test his interest in, passion for, and knowledge of aviation.

Coming through that initial inquisition kicked off a near three-decade “stint” that covered writing, photography, editing, production and ultimately, ownership of what has become a much loved and respected title in our corner of the world.

His reputation across the industry is one of a professional journalist whose conduct is beyond reproach, and whose interviewees knew they were being questioned by a bona-fide subject-matter expert.

Despite working at the same company, it was rare for Gerard and I to be travelling together, apart from all-hands-on-deck events such as the Avalon Airshow where his calm demeanour, leadership and thoughtfulness, stood out, often under intense time pressures.

However, we were both on the inaugural Qantas Perth-London Heathrow nonstop flight in March 2018, and it provides a prime example of Gerard’s commitment and work ethic.

The day itself was a long one, with official presentations taking place hours before the scheduled departure of QF9. Then there were the 17 hours or so on board the 787-9.

True to form though, minutes after touchdown at about 0500 at Heathrow, Gerard had a story published on the Australian Aviation website about the flight, rich with detail about the pilots’ and passengers’ experience, the thoughts of Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce – capturing to perfection all the colour and movement from one of aviation’s very special days.

Gerard is among the giants of aviation journalism in Australia. I thank him and wish him the very best.

Editor Steve Gibbons writes:

It has been a privilege to have worked with Gerard during the past 12 months, first as a feature writer and more recently as deputy editor. It is equally a privilege to take over the editorship of Australia’s leading aviation magazine which, in combination with a burgeoning digital offering, anchored by australianaviation.com.au, is acknowledged as the nation’s leading source of aviation industry news, features, and visual content.

It is a reputation our team is determined to maintain and grow by providing the best possible content to our print and digital magazine subscribers and the most effective platforms for our advertisers. We hope you will continue to come along for the ride.

‘A reputation our team is determined to maintain and grow.’
STEVE GIBBONS