Humphrey Maltman - Managing Director and Chief Pilot

Humphrey commenced flying in 1965, and worked in the Air Traffic Control Service (U.K.) until joining the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1970.  Following ten years of military service, he flew the Air Ambulance from Townsville for 5 years, and then moved to Brisbane where he helped form Flight Training Australia.  Today he is the Managing Director with in excess of 10,000 hours and holds testing approval for all licences and ratings.  His depth of experience is varied and shared amongst the students during their training.

Mike Lewer - Chief Flying Instructor

Mike started flying in 1967 after obtaining a Commonwealth Flying Scholarship.  He started a company in 1970, which operated commuter airline services in Victoria and subsequently became the owner.  Mike still maintains all his licences and ratings and today he is the Chief Flying Instructor and a Testing Officer for our school.  Mike has in excess of 13,000 hours.  Students benefit from Mike's wealth of knowledge and vast background to achieve their aviation goals.

Ian Gregory JP(Qual) - Senior Instructor

Ian commenced flying with the Redcliffe Aero Club in 1976.  He progressed to a Commercial Pilot Licence and Flight Instructor Rating in 1982, while completing a Certificate as an architectural technician at Queensland Institute of Technology.  Ian presently has in excess of 10,000 hours of experience including twin-engine charter and instruction.  Today Ian instructs in all areas of the syllabus as well as specialty areas such as Formation and Aerobatic flight instruction and is a Testing Officer for our school.

Martin Donnellan - Chief Ground Instructor

Martin draws his expertise from fifteen years in the industry.  With a background in aircraft maintenance, he has worked as flight/ground instructor and commercial pilot in Australia and the USA.  He has specialised in teaching aviation theory for the last five years and was a university lecturer prior to joining the team at Flight Training Australia in early 2002.

Phil Harris - Senior Instructor

Phil has been with Flight Training Australia for 10 years.  He is a Grade One Multi-Engine Instructor with over 5,500 hours of experience. Phil is also an approved Search and Rescue (SAR) pilot adding to his wealth of knowledge.  In October 1999, Phil and fellow instructor Kate Fraser broke a World record for the most number of take-offs and landings in a 12-hour period.

Tom Christopher - Senior Instructor

As a graduate technician Apprentice of the year with the Queensland Department of Education, Tom learnt to fly in 1975.  He commenced commercial operations in1977, and in 1980 attained a position as an Archerfield based Chief Flying Instructor and testing officer.  As a Grade One Multi-Engine Flight Instructor and Charter Pilot, Tom transferred to FTA in 1997 and instructs in all areas of the syllabus, including aerobatics.  Having logged in excess of 12,000 hours, Tom’s solid and sound background in the aviation industry has proven invaluable to students who desire a high level of achievement.

Rod Earle, AM - Flight Instructor

A former army officer, Rod gained his PPL as a cadet at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1964.  He retired from the army as a Brigadier in 1997 after 36 years of service which included two tours of South Vietnam, and postings to Germany (British Army), Canada and Pakistan.  A keen aviator, Rod completed his Instructor Rating in April 2001, and has been instructing at Flight Training Australia since then.  He qualified as a Grade One Instructor in March 2003.

Neil Waterman - Flight Instructor

After almost 10 years as a painting contractor Neil decided to take up flying and become a Commercial Pilot and a Flight Instructor.  He commenced training with Flight Training Australia in late 1996 on a part-time basis and almost two years later obtained his Commercial Pilot Licence.  In early 1999, Neil successfully completed his Flight Instructor Rating and today is employed to pass on the knowledge he was taught throughout his courses.

Having spent 4 years in the RAAF as an aircraft technician, Peter decided that he wanted to follow his dreams of flying aeroplanes.  In 1997, he commenced his flying training and gained his Commercial Pilot Licence in 1998, then spent 2 years acquiring flying experience working at a skydiving drop zone.  By 2001 he had completed further flying training which included an Instructor Rating.  Peter is now working for Flight Training Australia as a Grade Two Flying Instructor.

Following university studies in music and commerce, Clare worked for some years in the legal and finance industries before deciding that an “office in the sky” was her preferred office.  Clare completed her Commercial Pilot Licence and Instructor Rating in 2003 and now works full time as a Grade Two Flying Instructor.

James commenced his training with Flight Training Australia in 2002, after almost 7 years as an IT manager in the UK.  After completing his Commercial Pilot Licence and ATPL theory in 2004, he went on to achieve his Instructor Rating and is currently employed as a Grade Three Flying Instructor.

ADMINISTRATION STAFF

Gary Young JP(Qual) - Marketing Manager

Gary has extensive experience within the aviation industry and educational institutions through to government authorities in supporting and working with administration staff, international clients and agents. As a former aviation company director and international marketing manager, Gary has held a pilot licence for over thirty seven years and is the current Chairman of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators of Australia. He is very familiar with vocational education and the training sector. He is a founding Director of the Australian Institute of Further Education (A.I.F.E.).

Kelly Riordan - Administration Manager

Kelly was originally employed as Receptionist for Flight Training Australia in February 2003 but quickly advanced to the position of Administration Manager, overseeing the administration of Flight Training Australia, Flight Charter, Flight Maintenance and Airsupport.  Prior to working with us, Kelly completed a Diploma of Justice Administration and worked in various clerical roles. These skills, along with her bubbly personality make Kelly a significant asset to our company.

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE STAFF

Brian Waring - Chief Engineer

Brian has kept a high standard of maintenance at Flight Training Australia since 1995. He has held a private pilots licence for 25 years. His varied career gives him experience with jet engines in the RAAF, the Royal Flying Doctor, 2 years in Europe with Rothmans Aerobatic Team, 3 years with helium airships and some time with executive jets, charter aircraft and a regional airline. He also holds a Diploma of Teaching Aircraft Maintenance.

Dick Sanders - Engineer

Dick commenced his apprenticeship in 1958 in England and since then has worked for several aviation companies in England and Australia. In addition to this Dick maintains an aviation library which is believed to be one of the very best one's in Australia allowing students of Flight Training Australia to research topics in their spare time. Dick's knowledge and experience ensures that our aeroplanes are maintained to the highest standard.

CRICOS: 01208J