PILOT INFORMATION

Gary joined the Navy in 1969 as a 16 year old cadet. After serving in many ships and a tour in Vietnam, Gary decided that aviation was to be his future.

Navy pilot training was conducted in 1977-78, where Gary topped the course and earned his wings and the DeHavilland trophy. Returning to Naval aviation Gary initially flew Macchi jet trainers until he qualified as a Navy carrier pilot, where he flew Grumman Trackers from the aircraft carrier Melbourne. In 1983, Gary trained as a military flying instructor and was posted to the RAAF as Senior Naval Officer at first RAAF Base Point Cook (flying CT4 Air Trainers) and then at RAAF Base East Sale flying CT4, Macchi MB326H and finally Pilatus PC9 aircraft. During the latter posting Gary was Roulette 6 in the 1987/88 RAAF Roulettes aerobatic display team.

In 1988 Gary retired from Naval life and joined the National Safety Council [NSCA] as a check and training pilot, flying Beech B200C Super King Air and Dornier 228 aircraft.In 1989, the NSCA entered receivership, so Gary joined Qantas Airways Ltd where he was initially trained to fly Boeing 747 aircraft. After five years Gary converted to the new generation Boeing 747-400 as a co-pilot. In 1996 Gary was endorsed on Boeing 767 aircraft and achieved an international command on the most important day in recent aviation history: September 11, 2001.

Gary has always had an interest in aerobatics and bought his first aerobatic aircraft in 1992 – a Pitts Special S2A. In 2006 Gary acquired the beautiful A-37B Dragonfly that is demonstrated Australia-wide at airshows (among them the Avalon International Airshow, Oran Park V8 Supercar events and at the Naval Air Station Nowra). Gary’s low-level aerobatic display is not for the faint-hearted. Low passes at 100 feet and 400 knots, combined with the Dragonfly’s amazing short take-off and 12,000 feet per minute rate of climb are just some of the highlights.

So…………..if you choose to fly with Gary in the A-37B Dragonfly, then ask him to show you a simulated attack on ship or shore targets – just like those missions in which the Dragonfly earned its rugged reputation in Vietnam.

Captain Stuart Criddle

 

Stuart started his flying career in 1990 with the Australian Aerial Patrol based at Albion Park Aerodrome NSW flying shark patrol and search and rescue operations. Stuart has over 2500 hours flying experience of which more than 1800 hours are in command of multi-engine piston, turbine and jet aircraft. Stuart has been flying the A-37B Dragonfly for the last three years and has been involved in a number of airshows such as Avalon Victoria, the Navy’s 60 th anniversary at the Naval Air Station at Nowra NSW and every year at the HARS open day at the Illawarra Regional Airport NSW.

Currently the Chief Pilot for Australian Aerial Specialists, Stuart is employed full time and is involved in all areas of the business which see's him flying all over Australia and most recently in New Caledonia on specialist survey operations.

 

 

 

Captain Daniel Gray

 

Daniel started flying in Darwin in 1993 whilst still at school. He completed his Commercial Licence and Associate Diploma of Aviation at Parafield in 1997 and worked his way to an Airline Transport Pilots Licence. He flew throughout the “Top End” of Australia on scenic then charter operations before moving south and flying in Sydney, Tasmania and throughout the country. Daniel has logged over 6000 hours in various aircraft and many types of flying including RPT, Charter, Survey, Adventure Flights and Scenic flights. Daniel has flown throughout all areas of Australia overseas countries including New Zealand, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.

Daniel is a full time employee and flies all types of aircraft operated by the company throughout Australia and overseas.