Big hitters get nod for Australian Aviation Awards

Australian Aviation’s Adam Thorn said, “This year’s awards received a record number of entries, so all of our nominees should feel hugely proud to be shortlisted.

“The industry spent much of the last year grappling with the after-effects of COVID-19, including rising inflation and a talent shortage. It’s to their huge credit that those shortlisted have shown great initiative to navigate these difficult times and thrive.”

In 2023, contenders include heavy-hitting airlines such as Emirates and Rex Airlines, drone services providers Australian UAV and Bendigo Aerial, and Australian-owned specialist aviation provider Kestrel Aviation.

Non-profit organisation Little Wings, which flies sick children from remote areas to cities for treatment, is also in the running for an award again.

Individual finalists include representatives from Mirragin Consulting, Qantas, defence prime Northrop Grumman Australia, as well as executives from Sydney Airport and specialist aviation-engineering services provider Skytek.

A total of 145 finalists have been chosen to battle it out for trophies across 16 group categories including Aerial Services Business of the Year, Best Innovator of the Year, and Defence Support Business of the Year, and nine individual categories including Female Aviation Leader of the Year, Recreational Pilot of the Year, and Young Aviator of the Year.

The highest-scoring individual winner will become the recipient of the coveted Excellence Award.

Run with the support of principal partner UNSW Sydney, the awards provide national recognition of outstanding professionals and businesses in Australian aviation who are passionate about propelling the industry forward.

The awards ceremony will showcase the outstanding individuals and businesses that have positively shaped the growth and development of the aviation industry.

The national program will also help forge closer connectivity between the sector and give greater visibility to the business of aviation in Australia and is rapidly becoming the benchmark for excellence in aviation.

The awards were open to all businesses and professionals in the sector, irrespective of location, specialisation, affiliation, or alliance.

Winning an award will help organisations and individuals stand out from their competitors in the marketplace, underpin career growth, and strengthen their position when winning and retaining business.

If you want to attend, be quick! Tickets will remain on sale until 24 August. To find out more and secure your seat, visit australianaviation.com.au/australian-aviation-awards

Our 2023 finalists

Aviation Safety Professional of the Year

• Braden Blennerhassett, Leidos Australia
• Michael Clewes, Boeing Aerostructures Australia
• John Corcoran, Corcoran Aviation Safety Services
• Jackie Dujmovic, Hover UAV
• Kristy Ecimovic, Toll Helicopters
• Anthony Gibara, Rex Group including National Jet Express (NJE)
• Yvette Payne, Sikorsky Australia
• Trent Robinson, Trent Robinson Aviation
• Will Stamatopoulos, Mirragin Consulting & Qantas

Engineering Professional of the Year

• Darren Barnfield, Recreational Aviation Australia
• Andrew Bonacci, Leonardo Australia
• Luke Bradshaw, CareFlight
• Tony Chamberlin, Aircraft Maintenance Specialists P/L
• Chris Dalmazzo, Leidos Australia
• Matthew Marino, RMIT University
• Stephen Musgrove, Parbery Consulting
• Clare O’Driscoll, Northrop Grumman Australia
• Bill Welling, Mirragin

Female Aviation Leader of the Year

• Sheridan Austin, Aviation QMS (Quality & Management Services)
• Deanne Barnett, Northrop Grumman Australia
• Maria Coutinho, CHC Helicopter (Australia)
• Ann Elliott, Rex Airlines
• Liesl Haris, Gap Drone & Talking Leads
• Alana McKenna, Skytek
• Ursula Medway, Sydney Airport
• Sue-anne Munckton, Civil Aviation Academy Australasia
• Sasha Robinson, Flightdeck Group
• Diane Tremain, Toll Helicopters

Recreational Pilot of the Year

• Erin Douglas, Advanced Aviation Training
• Charbel Frangie, Charbel Frangie | Aviation Consultant
• Joe Liao, NGPA Australia

Commercial Pilot of the Year

• Adam Holt, Little Wings
• Mick Perren, CHC Helicopter (Australia)

Executive of the Year

• Nick Chapman, Parbery Consulting
• Ray Cronin, Kestrel Aviation
• Lee de Winton, Pacific Aerospace Consulting
• Colin Gunn, Toll Helicopters
• Liesl Haris, Gap Drone & Talking Leads
• Alana McKenna, Skytek
• Sue-anne Munckton, Civil Aviation Academy Australasia
• Joseph Pilo, SFC | Sydney Flight College
• Sidone Thomas, Sydney Airport
• Keith Tonkin, Aviation Projects

Female Rising Star

• Erin Douglas, Advanced Aviation Training
• Grace March, Griffith University
• Maria Hardas, Sydney Flight College
• Amalina Jumary, Avlaw Aviation Consulting
• Accalia O’Bryan, QinetiQ Air Affairs
• Sue Osborn, Skyshows
• Grace Whitmore, Boeing Aerostructures Australia

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Professional of the Year

• Luke Aspinall, SYPAQ
• Mark Gamer, Queensland Police Service
• Brett Glosko, Department of Environment and Science
• Oliver Heys, Australian UAV Service (Surf Life Saving NSW)
• David Jansen, Australian UAV Service (Surf Life Saving NSW)
• Matthew Marino, RMIT University
• Jayme Moreland, South Australian State Emergency Service
• Sue Osborn, Skyshows and Mirragin Consulting
• Andrew Pitt, Australian UAV
• Will Stamatopoulos, Mirragin Consulting

Aerial Services Business of the Year

• Australian Corporate Jet Centres / Jet City
• CHC Helicopter (Australia)
• Fly2 Health Group
• Kestrel Aviation
• Little Wings
• SYPAQ
• Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter Service

Airport of the Year

• Cairns Airport
• Essendon Fields Airport
• Launceston Airport
• Sydney Airport

Best Innovation of the Year

• AEROMECH
• Carbonix
• MicroTau
• Monarc Global
• Northrop Grumman Australia
• SYPAQ

Defence Support Business of the Year

• GSA Management Consulting
• Kestrel Aviation
• Northrop Grumman Australia
• Pacific Aerospace Consulting
• Parbery Consulting

Industry Association of the Year

• Australian Airports Association
• Australian Association For Uncrewed Systems (AAUS)
• Australian Women Pilots’ Association
• Flight Safety Foundation – BARS Program
• Women in Aviation International Australia Chapter

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Business of the Year

• Air Support Queensland | Toll Aviation
• Australian UAV
• Australian UAV Service (Surf Life Saving NSW)
• Bendigo Aerial
• FPV Australia
• Global Drone Solutions
• Mirragin RAS Consulting
• SYPAQ

Safety Innovator of the Year

• National Plastics & Rubber
• Regional Express Holdings
• Star Aviation

Sustainability Initiative of the Year

• Air bp
• Etihad
• FlyOnE
• MicroTau
• North Queensland Airports

Airline of the Year

• Emirates
• Regional Express Holdings Limited

Aviation Support Business of the Year

• Air Charter Service
• Crew Financial
• dnata catering
• Hover UAV
• IOR Aviation
• Leading Edge Management Consulting
• Paul Bennet Airshows
• Rinse & Repeat Commercial
• Star Aviation

Brand or Marketing Campaign of the Year

• Aeria Management Group
• Sydney Flight College
• Sydney Airport

Flight Training Business of the Year

• Australian Airline Pilot Academy
• Australian Jump Pilot Academy
• Fly Oz
• Global Drone Solutions
• Sydney Flight College
• Team Aviation
• UPRT Australia

Manufacturing/Maintenance Business of the Year

• Leonardo Australia
• Skytek

Rotary-wing Business of the Year

• CHC Helicopter (Australia)
• Kestrel Aviation
• Toll Helicopters

Start-up of the Year

• Dovetail Electric Aviation
• Fly2 Health Group
• Kite Magnetics
• MicroTau
• Orbx Simulation Systems
• Skyportz
• Thule Aviation

Training and Mentorship Program of the Year

• Griffith University
• Star Aviation
• The ACE Training Centre