Ben has been flying since 2016, completing his initial training with Canberra Aviation before going on to complete his CPL and Multi-Engine & Instrument ratings.  Ben has a PhD in Computer Science and when he's not flying he's writing code for his Canberra based start-up.  Ben owns a Duchess VH-XHT and has dreams of flying a King Air for the RFDS

First soloed at 16 as an air force cadet at RAAF Amberley in 1978. Was a RAAF air traffic controller for nine years while working on his PPL and Night VFR rating with CSU and retractable endorsements. Had CPL dreams but marriage, school fees, mortgages and postings throughout Australia and overseas brought it to a halt. Came back to flying 37 years later in 2022. Astonished to find his old planes still flying but what's this EFB thingy! Yet, still gets the same thrill from flying that he got during his first flight at Amberley when the instructor said, “Can’t see any reason why you can’t do the take-off”.

 

Christian began flying in 2018 and now holds a CPL with MEIR and FIR. He is a graduate of Central Queensland University, where he earned a Bachelor of Aviation and a Graduate Diploma of Aviation. In addition, Christian holds a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management, among other qualifications. Through his federal government employment, Christian has experience in a variety of leadership and management positions. Christian thoroughly enjoys sharing his passion for aviation with others, particularly in his capacity as a flight instructor, and is eager to contribute to the growth and success of Canberra Aero Club.

My interest in flying started with my father telling some of his WW2 flying exploits while on 'Special Duties" in Australia. I was the 5 y.o. who would always race outside and look to the sky for every passing plane. 60 years later, NOTHING has changed !!

I started flight training in 1993 & got to GFPT (Restricted) before life pressures caused a 24 year hiatus in my flying aspirations. Buy a motorbike, or finish my 'licence ? It was an easy decision to make & so, with my wife's encouragement, I completed my PPL in 2019 at Cowra, where I'm from. 

Fast forward to Christmas 2019, when my wife told me to "Go buy yourself a plane !" As one of my life motto's is "Happy wife; happy life", what else could I do but comply ? 

For me, aeroplane ownership has been life-changing. In November 2022, three mates & I flew & saw a full Lake Eyre & then home via the Murray River, in flood from end to end. I've flown to Murwillimbah to visit friends & am planning trips in the near future to Flinders Island, Tassie & Toowoomba. 

In October 2023 while on holidays in Avranches, France, I was able to hire a local club Robin (with the Instructor to work the radio) & flew over the D-Day Landing Beaches, down the Contentin Peninsular, around Mont Saint Michel & back to Avranches. He even stamped my logbook !

Oshkosh 2024 was one of the highlights of my flying career, it's a "must do" for all aviation enthusiasts. It's HUGE & the best organised event I've ever attended - 'truly mind-blowing !

The membership keeps re-electing me as 'Club Aircraft Manager, so I guess you're stuck with me for a while !! Working with Gary Adams to keep the planes in the air is a job I really enjoy.

I'm very thankful for the privilege of flight, but more so, for all the amazing people it has enabled me to meet & rub shoulders with.

Callum first started flying in 2017 after he moved to Canberra, doing his training with Canberra Aviation. He holds an RPL with an MPPC endorsement. His eventual goal will be to get a PPL and a retractable endorsement. Callum joined the board in mid-2023 and has loved to help contribute to the success of the Aero Club as well as sharing the love of aviation with everyone.

Born a RAAF brat to a pilot, I have been around planes on and off my entire life. In 2014 I began my photography hobby and ventured down the road of aviation photography. It really wasn't until I had my first back seat ride and was taking photos during some close formation flying with the Red Radials (YAK52s and CJ6's) at Cowra, that the flying bug bit me as hard as ever, that I knew, flying is something that I want to do!

Gary took his first flying lesson in 1976 and joined the Canberra Aero Club after moving to Canberra in 1984. Membership over the next decade or two was a broken due to periods working overseas, raising children etc. Gary re-joined the club (for the final time) in 2016.
Gary has been assisting the club aircraft manager for 5 years or so, and joined the board in November 2024.