Industry Influencers: Brian Westin

When I was a boy… 

Brian has been involved with the aviation industry since 1903, when heavier than air flight as we now know it began for humans. OK, he wasn’t born for the first few years at least (depending on who you talk to), but we are sure that his soul was on board with the Wright brothers on that historic December day. 

Quiet, shy and unassuming. These are all words that have never been used to describe Brian. Because most of the words that have been used are not printable, we will let him use his own: Follicly challenged, a huge fan of escalating aviation bureaucracy, with an allergy to being on the ground for too long. Brian always tells it how it is, so you always know where you stand. 

To the outback – and back out 

With a burning desire to be a career flight instructor, Brian began flight training in 1971. In 1974, he commenced as a junior instructor for the Nationwide Aviation Space Academy in the small NSW town of Cessnock, about 60 nautical miles north of Sydney. Two years later at the height of the wet season, he moved to the town of Mt Isa in far western Queensland, about 6,000 nautical miles north of Sydney. 

As a bush pilot, he regularly flew a small single engine aircraft named Priscilla over desolate regions to deliver urgent supplies to remote outback stations. These included lattes, cucumber sandwiches and rainbow-coloured cowboy hats. He also served as CFI and chief pilot for the Mt Isa Aero Club for a few years. 

After that, he pioneered one of the first freight-only services in Australia. In partnership with Bill Price, this new enterprise – called North Westinair – conducted nightly freight runs from Mt Isa to Archerfield then Mackay and back home. Their aircraft, a Cessna 402 and a QueenAir B80, were working that hard that they would fall due for 100-hourly services every nine days. 

Reports suggest that the local LAME bought a riverfront mansion on Millionaires Row in Mt Isa from North Westinair maintenance work. 

In 1990, Brian and his family moved back to ‘civilisation’ where he worked for various operators at Archerfield Airport near Brisbane. He became one of the first Certified Cirrus Instructors in Australia and went on to assist with Cirrus in China and the Philippines. 

In 1997, he once again succumbed to the lure of running his own business, and Southern Skies Aviation at Archerfield was born. Over the following 20-something years, he has seen hundreds of student pilots walk through the front doors of the school as ordinary people and exit the hangar doors as fully qualified pilots. Or very occasionally back out the front door still as ordinary humans. Apparently, some people are not cut out for life in the air. During that time, he has given out more sets of wings than St Peter (or Paul McCartney or whomever is responsible for that). 

Overseas aid 

What is lesser known is Brian’s tireless work with pilot training in the Philippines. For many years he has been a mentor and adviser to Cheynair in Lapu-Lapu City on the island of Cebu. Cheynair appreciated the high quality of the Australian flight training standards and, with Brian’s help, introduced them to the wider Philippines. 

Moving on 

Following the sale of Southern Skies to Flight Standards in 2018, Brian has slowly been weaning himself off day-to-day flight training. His latest venture is in the pilot supplies business, but with a slight twist. 

Brian offers second-hand books and pilot gear to help those who are studying or flying on a tight budget. 

Finally, Brian’s proudest moment in his long and illustrious career (49 years not out – so far) was the day he sent his son Bjorn solo back in late winter 2019. The big question: Is aviation in Australia ready for another Westin?