Team

In The Air

Paul Bennet

Paul Bennet’s life is marked by a continuing search for perfection and excellence. He is not satisfied unless he is learning, refining a skill, or conquering a challenge. Whether he is sailing a 16ft skiff or sailing a 50ft ocean racing yacht, flying one of his 200mph radio control jets, or flying his 400hp Wolf Pitts Pro, or one of the most sought-after and rarest warbirds in the world, Paul is full throttle.

Paul’s competitive flying history leads an accomplished path. In 2008 Paul achieved the title of the National Advanced Aerobatic Champion, and then the following year became the National Unlimited Aerobatic Champion, receiving the Phillips Cup. In 2011 and 2012 Paul won Unlimited in both the Queensland and Victorian State Championships and, in November 2016, Paul won the award of Australian Freestyle Aerobatic Champion and continues to hold this title.

With over 7000 display-related flying hours in front of 10s of millions of fans, Paul has cemented himself as a master of aerial entertainment and the country’s finest air show performer. Paul’s performances are always professional, phenomenally rehearsed and accurate. As one of only a handful of Australian Pilots to hold a surface-level aerobatics approval, he is also a delegate for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to issue aerobatic endorsements to this height, as well as being a flying instructor.

Paul’s reputation for putting on a sensational show exceeds many expectations. His dynamic and aggressive aerobatic displays leave his spectators in awe as he defies gravity and physics, performing manoeuvres that are yet to be reproduced by any pilot. He thrives on the crowds and talks to them live through his helmet while performing sequences that put a tremendous amount of force and stress on his body.

Glenn Graham

Glenn Graham grew up in a flying family and completed his first solo flight on his 16th birthday. Within the next 12 months he had acquired his aerobatic endorsement and had won his first aerobatic competition. Since 2006 Glenn has had his flying skills mentored by Paul Bennet and since then has become a two-time Australian Advanced Aerobatic Champion.

Glenn continues to enjoy the challenges of unlimited and freestyle aerobatics and is addicted to the high energy thrill and demand that this type of flying brings. In 2023, Glenn won the Australian Unlimited Aerobatic Championship, continuing to blaze his path as one of Australia’s finest display pilots and performers.

Glenn has a surface level waiver and displays as part of the Sky Aces Aerobatic Team, along with flying solo displays in various aircraft, Including the Edge 540, Yak 52, Cessna 02 and several Pitts Specials.

Jesse Jury

Jesse Jury entered the aviation world 14 years ago when he attained his RPL. From there, he catapulted himself into aerobatic competitions all over Australia & Internationally. Success came quickly for Jesse taking out 1st four times in the South Australian Unlimited category, 1st in the Victorian Unlimited Category, 1st in the New South Wales Unlimited Category and 1st place in the Johannesburg Ace of Base Unlimited.

Not surprisingly Jesse caught the attention of the Airshow Industry and made his debut display in 2015. Today, Jesse forms part of the Paul Bennet Airshows Sky Aces flying position two wingman. He also puts on one hell of a solo display in the Pitts Model 12.

Glenn Collins

Glenn Collins has in excess of 2700hrs total lying experience in aircraft with over 1000hrs in ultralights/microlights and over 500hrs instructing. Glenn also likes to jump from aircraft with 83 skydives to his name.

Glenn has flown competition Aerobatics to Advanced level including becoming NSW and Australian Sportsman champion in 1997, Australian Intermediate champion in 1998 and Victorian Advanced champion in 1999.

Glenn’s commercial experience includes – Standard Joyflights to formation Aerobatic Joyflights & Warbird adventure flights. Multi engine IFR, Aerial work including Banner towing, Skywriting & Parachute display Ops. Warbird & vintage aircraft including: TBM3 Grumman Avenger, T28 Trojan, CAC Wirraway, Cessna O-2, Stinson L-5, DH82 Tiger Moth, Auster & chipmunk. Display experience: Many displays over 15 years in aircraft from microlights to Warbirds from straight & level flypasts to formation & opposing aerobatics down to surface level.

Tim Dugan

Tim was bought up in an aviation family and first took to the skies before his first birthday. Tim completed his first solo in a glider on his 15th birthday and first solo in a powered aircraft on his 16th, achieved his private and commercial licences as each birthday came around and now holds an Airline Transport Pilot Licence, has multi engine instrument rating, holds an Instructor rating and is rated for formation and aerobatics.

Tim’s time in aviation so far has seen conduct general and aerobatic Joyflights and Warbird adventure flights, charter, flight instruction, aeromedical, international and domestic aerial survey and aerobatic airshow displays.

Tim has been lucky enough to fly Warbirds and vintage aircraft since 2004, the types include DeHavilland Tigermoth, Harvard, Yaks, Boeing Stearman, CAC Wirraway and Grumman Avenger.

SAM PERCEVAL

Sam Perceval's journey into aviation commenced in 2018, driven by his love for speed and the desire to be in command of his own trajectory. Fueled by a passion for adventure, he embarked on the path to obtaining his pilot's license. Throughout his training, Sam's affinity for precision and control propelled him forward, mastering the intricacies of flight with determination and enthusiasm.

Now, as an instructor at Aerohunter, Sam imparts his knowledge and expertise to a new generation of aspiring pilots. Guided by his own experiences, he instills in his students the importance of skill, responsibility, and respect for the skies. With a keen focus on safety and a contagious enthusiasm for flight.

Pete Stewart

Pete (AKA Smiley) started flying 1988 and is a Twin rated Commercial Pilot that loves all things aviation…. especially warbirds.

Pete enjoys the PBA and Airshow team environment and assist the team with ground crewing and the ferry of aircraft from show to show.

Pete doesn’t care that his loops look like eggs because he can still beat Paul on the golf course!

Philip Lee

Philip Lee(FLT.LT, Retired) is a formal naval aviator. He got his commercial license with twin & IFR ratings back in 1995, then served his country, South Korea. At both Airforce and Navy, he was lucky to fly various types of aircraft including T/A37, F406, P3C and Philip has more than 1,600hrs of total flying experience. He also graduated from Aviation Safety Institute and was qualified as a safety and accident investigation officer. He is an executive at a global IT firm, but with a great passion and enthusiasm in aviation, Philip takes his time out flying with PBA.