Meet the crew

The crew are a big part of Bunbury Flying School’s success.

Blair Howe

The Proprietor of Bunbury Flying School

Blair has had an interest and passion for aviation for many years and has owned and operated a large range of aircraft. His current ownership of aeroplanes range from the small light weight two seater Jabiru’s to a much larger, but non operational, Douglas DC3. (referred to by Blair as his ‘garden gnome’).

One of his goals in operating a flying school is to enable as many people as possible in the Bunbury region to enjoy and partake in aviation. Blair’s view is that aviation should be available to more than just a select few.

It is also his aim to establish a flying school where students are both taught to be safe and proficient pilots as well as offering real value for money. It is important they they have a great degree of fun and enjoyment along the way. Operating a flying school is certainly not one of the easiest ways of making money.

Lloyd Henriksen

Chief Flying Instructor (C.F.I)

Lloyd has many years of experience as an instructor. He has a deep knowledge and skill in this field. A careful and thorough instructor, he is one of those rare people who has that great asset of being able to put his pupils at ease. Lloyd is a competent and popular instructor and whilst appearing to be very relaxed and calm in the right hand seat I can assure you from first hand experience that he misses very little. In between flying the schools aircraft he can sometimes be seen putting his own Thorpe through its paces.

Jim Spring

Private Pilot

Jim is a private pilot with a 1000 plus odd hours.  Looking for a sea change Jim left the mining industry after 43 years to take up the position of Operations Manager and head of aircraft maintenance for the Bunbury Flying School.  He confesses to gaining a lot of pleasure when we produce another aviator to join the ranks of those who fly.

Shannon McKeon

Instructor

Shannon has come to join us from Sydney, he ís had an avid interest in aviation since a young man and joining the air cadets. After completing his commercial pilot license in N.S.W he began flying doing Sydney harbour scenic flights and instructing at Bankstown Aerodrome. With his down to earth attitude and knowledgeable flying experience, Shannon is a great addition to the team, providing instructor training in a professional concise manner.

Neil Janke

Chief Ground Instructor (C.G.I) / Charter Pilot

Neil is a fully qualified commercial pilot, graduating from Atlantic Flight Training, UK in 2009 with an Airline Transport Pilots Licence.  Neil is an experienced ground instructor responsible for teaching commercial pilot theory here at Southern Aviation.  When he’s not teaching, Neil pilots our charter flights and scenic tours.

Tom Wang

Grade III Flying Instructor

Tom graduated as a fully qualified flying instructor from Oxford Aviation Academy in Melbourne in 2009.  He is our full time, grade three flying instructor.  He laughs a lot and loves tomato sauce and when he’s not flying enjoys everything and anything to do with basketball.

Natasha Politakis

Grade II Flying Instructor

Natasha is our part time grade two flying instructor; originally from New Zealand ‘Tash’ has spent a little over three years training pilots in Australia.  She spent two years over on the Sunshine Coast and a year and a half over here in Western Australia where she honed her skills as a flying instructor.

Sylvain Schmidt

RA-AUS Level 2 maintainer

Sylvain is our RA-AUS Level 2 maintainer. He keeps the Jabiru and Sport-cruiser on the road, and in the air.

Pam Ray

Office Administrator

Pam, the senior lady in the team, is responsible for all the company accounts and general administration as well as trying to keep the rest of the team in order. She does a pretty good job under the circumstances. Pam prefers to be a little closer to the ground.

Dallas Williams

Receptionist

Dallas is one of the friendly voices you hear on the other end of the phone when you call the Bunbury Flying School. She began learning to fly a few years ago and enjoyed it so much, she now works here. Dallas enjoys everything including sewing, music and microscopes.