DirectorPhillip Tarrant

EditorJake Nelson

Business Development ManagerTim Partrdige

Head of StrategyManci Malhotra

Sub EditorRobert Dougherty

Graphic DesignerJack Townsend

ContributorsDamien Aiello, CPL Maddy Butcher, Kurt Ams, Robert Dougherty, Rob Finlayson, LACW Laura Flower, Chris Frame, Aaron Francis, CPL Ryan Howell, Paul Merritt, Jake Nelson, Victor Pody

Issue #402: Paint It Black

Taking the control column

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your (new) captain speaking! It gives me great pleasure to officially welcome you to this issue of Australian Aviation from the pilot’s seat. It’s been a year since the incorrigible Adam Thorn left us, but we’ve all taken care to make sure this venerable publication keeps up its usual high standards in the interim, and I’m honoured to be taking charge as we look towards 2027 and our 50th anniversary.

I’d also like to offer my thanks to Steve Kuper, our lead for defence and aerospace, who has held down the fort admirably since Adam’s departure and is now leaving us as well to pursue new opportunities. Steve has made some great contributions to AA over the years (including in this very issue), and we wish him all the best.

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On the cover of this issue, you saw a striking image of a RAAF Super Hornet tearing up the skies in Exercise Pitch Black. You’ll find more images of breathtaking Defence air power from Australia and its allies in our eight-page gallery this issue, curated by Steve to show the best of the best from this biennial showcase of air combat superiority. Also on the defence side, our colleague Robert Dougherty travels to Newcastle to learn about Lockheed Martin’s plans for a major air-power hub in the Hunter, and we take a look inside a newly-released book about Australia’s own WWII Beaufighters; Rob also takes the time to speak to Paul Bennet, one of our most skilled and death-defying aerobatic pilots, on his love for aviation, air shows, and classic warbirds.

Meanwhile, from yours truly, we have interviews with neuroscientist Annett Koenig on the growing problem of chronic stress in the aviation industry, and with author Melanie Hill on how her middle-grade book Jett Cooper can spark sky-high ambitions in young Australians who might consider careers in aviation. I also step on board one of Jetstar’s newly refurbished 787-8 Dreamliners to see what’s changed, visit Western Sydney Airport as it opens its freight precinct, and take an in-depth look into the new airlines aiming to crack open the domestic duopoly.

Not only that: this issue we welcome back to our pages Chris Frame, who examines whether hydrogen-powered aircraft have a future in commercial air travel, and Hannah Dowling, who – quite apart from her usual sterling work on Register, Traffic and Warbirds – has cracked open the 2026 budget papers to see what’s in store for the aviation and tourism industries. And speaking of the best of the best, be sure to check out recaps and photos from the 2026 Australian Aviation Summit and Awards, one of the biggest days (and nights) in the aviation calendar.

Finally, we must take a moment to acknowledge the legacy of former Australian Aviation mainstay Geoffrey “GT” Thomas, who died in June at 74. GT made an indelible mark on aviation journalism and the industry as a whole, and he will be sorely missed. We hope we can make him proud as we continue to steward the publication to which he gave so much.

Enjoy the issue,
Jake Nelson
News Editor

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