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.

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.