Air traffic controllers at Melbourne Airport. Photo: Airservices Australia.
The Federal Government has announced it has appointed two new board members to Airservices Australia and a new commissioner for the Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB).
In a 7 August media release, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King announced that former Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld (Ret’d) and RMIT Associate Professor Nicolle Connolly had been appointed to the Airservices Australia board.
Mr Hupfeld enjoyed a nearly 40-year career in the Royal Australian Air Force as a fighter pilot, and has significant operational, project management and command experience. He is also a private pilot and holds endorsements on several light aircraft types including aerobatic aircraft. He retired from the RAAF as Chief in 2022.
Ms Connolly has nearly 30 years of experience as an air traffic controller and manager within Airservices Australia. She is an Associate Professor and Assistant Associate Dean of Aerospace Engineering and Aviation at RMIT, and has extensive experience in aviation operations and safety issues across academia, government and within the airline industry.
“Together their wealth of knowledge and experience will help shape and govern Airservices Australia as it navigates future opportunities and challenges,” a ministerial statement reads.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the Airservices board to ensure Australia’s aviation industry remains among the safest in the world and a world-class leader.”
Ms King also announced that Peter Wilson has been appointed to the role of ATSB commissioner.
Mr Wilson is a 30-year professional pilot, logging some 17,500 flying hours with Qantas. He has also held senior leadership roles within Qantas, Virgin Australia and Tiger Air including technical managerial roles, as a chief pilot, general manager and chief operating officer. He has also served on a number of boards.
“The appointment of Mr Wilson recognises his significant operational and senior executive experience in leadership and corporate roles across the aviation sector,” Minister King said.
“This appointment ensures that the ATSB’s Commission continues to have high levels of experience across rail, maritime and air transport – the three modes of transport for which they have investigatory responsibility.”
Mr Wilson joins ATSB Chief Commissioner and CEO Angus Mitchell, and fellow Commissioners Gary Prosser and Catherine Scott.
Original Article published by Andrew McLaughlin on Riotact.
