My 2025 Graduate Aerobatic Scholarship was won by Michael Pappalardo.

He is a PPL holder living in WA. Upon being told of his success he stated: “Extremely grateful & excited to receive the news of the 2025 Ozaeros Graduate Aerobatic Scholarship!I’ve always been interested and drawn to the world of competition aerobatics, having done my aerobatics endorsement but not yet taking it to the next stages. Getting into the Christen Eagle was a big step and super thankful for the help & training I’ve had to date, and looking forward to the learning to come.I hope to promote and encourage others to try aerobatics and pursue their aviation journeys.” Michael was introduced to aviation when his father built an RV6 as he was growing up so his interest in General Aviation was sparked!  Every time he went back home to QLD to see his parents they would go flying and in 2017 he started training for his PPL at Jandakot, WA.  As they were doing the initial training in a Robin they often migrated to some aerobatics into the end of the lessons. In 2020 Michael finally gained his PPL and within a short time had started his tailwheel and aerobatics training in the Super Decathlon at RACWA. In 2022 an opportunity to buy a share in a Christen Eagle came up and he jumped at it. “It’s been one of the most challenging and rewarding things I’ve done!” He is also building an RV-8 with a friend.

Statement from the Judging Panel: “The judging panel for 2025 was pleased to see applications from aerobatic pilots of diverse backgrounds and experience levels from RPL right through to ATPL level. Pleasingly the applications were received from pilots based right across the country and abroad. Judging was not an easy task.  There were a number of deserving well-presented applications again this year. We commend all the applicants for the effort they made to prepare and submit their applications. There can only be one winner and we extend our congratulations to the successful applicant for this year.”

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I am pleased to announce the winner of my 2024 Graduate Aerobatic Scholarship: Jamie Brady.

Jamie is a Grade 2 Flight Instructor and VERY recently qualified aerobatic and spin instructor with Inbound Aviation in Mangalore. Update: Jamie now works at Matt Hall Racing!

When told about it she said:

“I am beyond thrilled to be the recipient of the 2024 Ozaeros Graduate Aerobatic scholarship! I can’t wait to step into the world of competition aerobatics and to be able to share the joy of aerobatics with like-minded individuals. Aerobatics has been a passion of mine ever since I was a little girl, so naturally I hope to one day inspire others like me to get involved and to have a good time.”

My scholarship provides two books on aerobatics, three hours of ground theory training and four hours of flying in the Super Decathlon towards the 1500 ft aerobatic endorsement. I usually include my own book, Aerobatics Down Under, but Jamie already has that as well as the excellent book by Alan Cassidy, Better Aerobatics; not to mention Bob Tait’s book, Tailwheel and Aerobatic Flying. Perhaps the late Dave Robson’s book, Aerobatics Principles and Practice and Bill Kershner’s The Basic Aerobatic Manual.

Many thanks to the independent judges: Mark Foy, Rob Noonan and Bruno Roque. They commented:

“After much deliberation we all agreed that the standard of the applications was excellent and improving year on year.”

The 2023 scholarship was won by Ben Wilkinson! The winner was selected by an independent panel comprising Rob Noonan, Mark Foy and Bruno Roque.

Ben is a Commercial pilot and a Grade 3 Flight Instructor at CAE Melbourne who specializes in Spin, Aerobatic, Tailwheel and UPRT instruction in a 8KCAB Standard Decathlon.

Additionally, he is a level 1 gliding instructor and Tugmaster at the South Gippsland Gliding Club. 

Ben has accrued 930.0 hours Total Aeronautical experience. From Tamworth in NSW, he conducted gliding training in Bathurst NSW from 2015, then moved to Victoria to complete his PPL, CPL and FIR with CAE.

The 2022 scholarship was won by Nathan Hassal! The winner was selected by an independent panel.

Nathan is a Grade 1 Flight Instructor who has been instructing at Tristar Aviation for eight years. His initial CPL training included a tailwheel endorsement. He completed his initial aerobatic endorsement then spin and aerobatic training endorsements while working as an instructor. He is currently training students in Multi Engine IFR operations and teaching recreational aerobatics in a Cessna Aerobat. Nathan has 3000 hours in many types including twins and singles including Cessna Aerobat, Super Decathlon and Citabria.