Shane grew up on the North Coast of NSW and has had a love and fascination with flying and aircraft for as long as he can remember. Taking his first flying lesson at age 14, Shane went solo two days after his 16th birthday, but only because the weather was bad on his actual birthday!

Shane was accepted to a Cadet training program for one of Australia's major airlines straight out of high school and completed his training at Bankstown before commencing his training on the Boeing 767 at age 19. He flew the B767 as a Second Officer and First Officer. In 2012 he moved north to fly for Air Japan, a subsidiary of All Nippon Airways. Based in Tokyo for 6 ½ years, Shane obtained his command on the B767 at age 33, before returning to Australia to take up a position on the new B787 Dreamliner. Shane then became a Type Rating Instructor and Check Pilot on the B787, a position he still holds today.

In addition to airline flying, Shane has held several positions in the aviation industry. He has been the Committee Chair of the Aircraft Design and Operations (ADO) committee for the Australian Airline Pilots Association (AusALPA), the Vice Chair of the ADO Committee for the International Federation of Airline Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA), and the IFALPA representative to the ICAO Instrument Flight Procedures Panel, where he was a key member of the group tasked to rewrite PANS-OPS Vol 1, and the Aerodrome Obstacle Limitations Surface Task Force.

Shane has instructed the Australian Air Force Cadets at Amberley and other flying schools at Archerfield, as well as a simulator instructor with NexGen Aviation and the University of Southern Queensland.

He is current a member of Australian Warbirds, and Secretary of the Queensland Warbirds and Vintage Aircraft Association. He owns a Yak52 and a Yak18T and flies them regularly at Watts Bridge Memorial Airfield in the Brisbane Valley as part of the Red Radials Northern Chapter. He also holds a CASA Display Pilot authorisation and also flies the Yak52 for Fighterpilot Adventures.

In his spare time, Shane loves riding his motorbikes, and playing guitar, and does a bad impression of a handyman around the yard at home which provides great entertainment for his fiancée and baby daughter.

Growing up in South East Queensland, Jeremy’s earliest memories all involve aviation. With a Grandfather who flew fighters in Europe in World War 2, and two uncles who are pilots, Jeremy was destined to enter aviation. For his 14th birthday, Jeremy was given an aerobatic joy flight, was immediately hooked, and came back the following week for his first lesson, culminating in his first solo on his 16th birthday, and his GFPT (RPL) prior to graduating High School.

Jeremy attained both his Commercial Pilots License, and Instructor Rating at the age of 18. Having an interest in Warbirds, Vintage Aircraft and aerobatics, Jeremy pursued a job with the Darling Downs Aero Club in Toowoomba and volunteered on his days off at Aerotec Warbirds. Jeremy completed his Aerobatic, Spin and Formation endorsements, and his Instrument Rating before moving to Perth, Western Australia in 2004.

In 2006 Jeremy was offered a position with Fighter Combat International flying the CJ-6A Nanchang, and established Attitude Aerobatics, a specialist aerobatic and tailwheel training school flying the Super Decathlon and Extra 300L. Jeremy also assisted with the Perth Red Bull Air Race’s between 2006 and 2010.

In 2010 Jeremy moved to Victoria to establish his own business, Skythrills; which he still owns and runs today. Based at Lethbridge Airpark west of Melbourne, Skythrills became a successful specialist aerobatic school and grew to operate 7 aircraft. Jeremy has also held the Vice President and Chief Judge position of the Australian Aerobatic Club, and actively ran club competitions and events.

In 2015 Jeremy was given the opportunity to follow in his Grandfather’s footsteps and fly with the prestigious Royal Flying Doctor Service from Broken Hill.

In 2017, Jeremy was approached to lead the AOPA Freedom to Fly display team in a Sukhoi 26, and a Pitts S-2C. In 2018, Jeremy and Paul established The Airshow Company, and began to organize and run airshows in Australia, and have continued to display in China.

Jeremy has conducted FAR 23 spin certification testing on a Chinese aircraft, and also spin testing of the Australian designed Brumby 610 for Chinese certification.

Jeremy has held Head of Operations, Chief Flying Instructor and Chief Pilot roles for numerous organisations since 2005, and is a CASA Flight Examiner. He has flown most aerobatic types in Australia, is one of few instructors approved to teach Formation Aerobatics, and is one of only a handful of Flight Examiners approved to test instructors for the addition of Aerobatic, Spin, Formation and Formation Aerobatic teaching endorsements. He has logged over 10,000 hours flight time with 7,000 hours instructing and has in excess of 100 different aircraft types in his logbook.

When Jeremy is not instructing, he is often working on, or training in, his Yak-55 for the next airshow or aerobatic competition.

Ric (otherwise known as ‘Peaps’) has had a career that spans both the civilian and military aviation worlds. As a keen 16 year old, he started out learning to fly at Archerfield, and quickly progressed to his Commercial licence flying joy flights and charter operations for one of the local operators. His drive to get after the more exciting aspects of flying saw him complete his initial tailwheel and aerobatics qualifications in a DH82A Tigermoth - an aircraft type that continues to hold a special place in his heart and logbook.

While civilian flying was something he was thoroughly enjoying, he knew that there was more to be achieved. The next step in his aviation career would see him recruited by the Royal Australian Air Force as a Direct Entry Officer Cadet and subsequently graduate Pilots Course at RAAF Base Pearce, having flown the PC-9A. He was then selected to fly fast jets, graduated from F-111C Conversion in December 2000 and ultimately posted to join 1 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley.

In 2003, Peaps saw his first deployment - Operation FALCONER (Iraqi Freedom) - to the Middle East, and on return, was selected for Fighter Combat Instructor (FCI) course (sometimes referred to as Australia’s version of the US Navy’s TOP GUN course). After numerous positions instructing at both the F-111 training unit and back at 1 Squadron, he was then selected as the Course Director to run the 2008 Fighter Combat Instructor course, training the next generation of FCIs.

2009 saw Peaps posted to US Naval Air Station Lemoore on the West Coast of the United States, as a member of the initial cadre of Australian aircrew undergoing transition training to the F/A-18F Super Hornet. After qualifying on the F/A-18F the team remained on staff with VFA-122 (the US Navy Training Unit) to instruct both Australian and US Navy aircrew in the operational employment of the aircraft. Once back in Australia, Peaps was heavily involved in the development and running of the first Australian-based F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrew training course.

For a career Officer, the Air Force is not all flying and fun, so from 2015 through to the end of 2018, Peaps’ flying was put on hold while he was desk bound studying at the Australian Defence College, then working as the Principal Staff Officer to Air Commander Australia (both jobs in Canberra) before returning to RAAF Base Amberley as Executive Officer Headquarters 82 Wing. The career highlight came at the end of 2018 when he was back in the cockpit of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, with the additional responsibility of commanding the Air Force’s premier fighter squadron – 1 Squadron – through until December 2020.

Peaps is still employed full time with the Air Force however his flying days are again on pause as he is currently working within the Combat Support Group, providing specialist expeditionary air base operational capabilities throughout Australia and overseas.

While he isn’t in the cockpit of a Super Hornet, he gets his airborne fix through instructing here at UPRT Australia and with the RAAF Base Amberley Flying club. Peaps and his wife Liza also run an aviation based non-for-profit organisation – The Hangar: Youth Mentoring - where they have provided much needed support to some of the younger members of our community, helping them develop strategies to deal with the challenges that the world throws at them.

Dave Spong, more commonly known as Spongo, has been flying for more years than he cares to remember! Born in Kuala Lumpur when his father (accompanied by Mum, of course!!) was flying Sycamore helicopters for the Royal Navy dropping soldiers into jungle clearings, he quickly realised that his future was to be in aviation.

Whilst at boarding school in England, many happy times were spent on gliding camps with the RAF Cadets (solo at 16 in a Mk3 Sedburgh) and having Air Experience Flights in a Chipmunk - "please Sir, can we do some aeros?” Then to Uni studying Aeronautical Engineering whilst an Acting Pilot Officer in the RAF. The UAS (University Air Squadron, not Undesired Aircraft State!) was equipped with Chipmunks and later Scottish Aviation Bulldogs.

Then in 1976 to RAFC Cranwell for basic training on the Mk5 Jet Provost, RAF Valley for advanced training on Gnats and Hunters, weapon training at RAF Brawdy on Hunters. Finally flying on 216, 12, and 208 Sqns on the fabulous Blackburn Buccaneer, mostly in Scotland. An exchange tour to 1 Sqn at RAAF Base Amberley flying the F1-11 rounded off a wonderful time in the military. This is where I really developed my love of flying in any attitude other than straight and level!

Money and family turned me towards Cathay Pacific. 6 years in Hong Kong and 7 on a basing in Brisbane saw me fly the L1011 and B747-400 as F/O, and then 4 bars on the B747-200/300/200F, rightly known as the Classic, then glass again on the A330 and A340 as training captain. Cathay and I (along with 48 others, but that is the 49ers story) parted company in 2001 and I became a Grade 3 instructor at Air Gold Coast (AGC) until May 2003 when I joined the RAAF and gained my military QFI badge at Sale then moved to a farm at Tamworth and instructed in the venerable CT4-B for 16 wonderful years (whilst also learning to breed cattle and ride horses; it’s never too late to learn anything).

When the RAAF took their toys to Victoria and I turned, well, let’s just say I retired from the RAAF, and moved NE to Tweed Heads and re-joined AGC for another 2 years instructing on Cessnas. It was through AGC that I met Jeremy and I realised that I still yearned for anything but S & L. I have helped out with formation training with UPRT and when offered the opportunity to become a more permanent part of the team with Jeremy and Shane, I knew that I could not resist.

Whilst also occasionally using my experience to excite and encourage young AAFC Cadets at Amberley on the DA-40NG, I shall relish the chance to help anyone who, like me, wants to take to the skies in a taildragger, in formation and do aerobatics. These can all be done at the same time! Due to lack of foresight around the world, in my opinion, standards of pure flying have suffered through the lack of upset training in commercial and private pilot courses. I am looking forward to using my experience in helping anyone who feels that their training and knowledge is lacking and together raising the standards of piloting be it in RAAus, GA, charter or commercial airplanes. I am married (43 years and counting!) have 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren. We have moved to a small property near Boonah where I can keep my horses and be close to Archerfield and some fabulous, fun flying. I look forward to flying with you.

Like most aero-nerds, Rob’s interest in flying started when he was young with Airfix aeroplanes hanging from the bedroom ceiling and control-line models. He learnt to fly on Gliders at Benalla where, on his second flight, he was shown a loop and loved it. A couple of years later when he learnt to fly powered aircraft a, aerobatics was an integral part of the syllabus.

He discovered the importance and value of teaching with his first job and has spent the majority of his career instructing and training. “When you teach flying, you learn more about it, and the more you learn, the more you can teach and help others to fly better and more safely as well as having more fun”

Rob has flown as first officer on the ATR42 and the magnificent B727, “the airliner by which all others are judged and found lacking” he jokes. In 1992 he transitioned to the B737, gaining his command a few years later, and just recently retired after marking 30 years on the type. He was a trainer on the B737 for 20 years and also performed many other roles in the airline, even managing a year of leave to fly in Europe. After receiving training in the USA from the FAA and Flight Research Inc, Rob became Qantas’s SME for UPRT, co-creating and introducing the airline’s UPRT program to the mainline fleet as well as two of the subsidiaries.

Along the way, Rob owned a Cessna 150 for 18 years and now regularly practices aerobatics in his current aeroplane, a Pitts Special S2B. He is the president of the Australian Aerobatic Club Queensland Chapter and competes in Intermediate Class.

At UPRT Australia, Rob pursues his passion for aerobatics and instructing, especially spreading the important skills and knowledge of UPRT. He’s doing what he loves – helping other pilots to fly better with our advanced training courses.

Since Glenn was a kid, he thought that to fly an aircraft would be the most wonderful thing he could ever do. To fly became a boyhood ambition and, on eventually realising that there were people out there who did just that, and got paid for it, the long term goal was set.

Leaving school after year 12, much to the disappointment of his teachers who had visions of him becoming a doctor or lawyer, off he went with the aim of never having to get a real job, but to work with his passion.

With the help of his supportive parents, Glenn was lucky enough to follow the path into General Aviation as an instructor and charter pilot. He even attained his pilot’s licence before his driving licence. However it became apparent to him over time that the airlines had the biggest, coolest aircraft, so that was the next logical target.

Fortune smiled again, and saw him at age 21 starting with TAA. That set off the next 40 years of his working life, including 5 years with Swissair and 25 with Cathay Pacific. Over the years Glenn was based in Australia, Switzerland and the UK (where he met his beautiful wife). Among other airline types, he was privileged to fly the “sports car” DC9, the iconic 747-400, the sadly underrated MD11 and finally the stupendous A350. Glenn had a great career, rising to Senior Captain with Cathay Pacific. Like so many others however, it was unfortunately bought to a (slightly) premature end by Covid in 2021.

Whilst flying the big shiny jets, Glenn’s love of messing about in little aircraft never went away, and over the years he took every opportunity to fly lighties whenever he could. A bit over 10 years ago a fellow CX pilot suggested they build an aircraft together in their spare time. The possibility of a self build had never occurred to Glenn, and he relayed the story to his wife as a bit of a joke. Barely drawing breath, she announced that this could be the best opportunity he would ever get! Although perhaps, she knew that the 10,000 rivets required would keep him nice and busy...

So began the process of building and owning a gorgeous RV7. This aircraft has brought more joy to Glenn than he ever imagined, and is definitely the best mid-life crisis he has yet had. He has taken his daughter and wife on many trips around Australia including WA, Uluru and the Whitsundays. Definitely recommended as a way to be a cool Dad!

Glenn has always had a desire to learn new stuff, and that eventually brought him in contact with Jeremy Miller, who has since taught him lots of fun things you can do with an aircraft. Formation, low-level aerobatics and a formation aero rating followed along with being a founding member of the Stooges RV formation display team. Glenn says the magical thing about aviation is that, every time you learn something new, it reveals just how much you have yet to discover.

Ever the instructor, Glenn has now become part of the team at UPRT Australia. He hopes to have the pleasure of sharing some of the great advice and tuition he has been lucky enough to receive over the years.

Glenn truly believes that advanced training of any form will make you a better pilot. Whether it be formation, aeros or the UPRT course itself, you will emerge with new awareness and a greater feel for your aircraft. It could even save your life one day.

See you in the sky!