THE TEAM
We are proud of our experience and reputation, with over 93, 000 flight hours, ranging from WW-II Spitfires and F/A-18 Hornets to Airbus A350’s and Boeing 777’s. Crockett Aviation crew have what it takes. “Passion and Excellence” born from experience.
Flight Hours
Head of Flight Operations
James Crockett
James is the Head of Flight Operations at Crockett Aviation. His passion for aviation started as a young boy, completing his first solo flight in a glider on his 15th birthday, he then gaining his pilot’s licence before he could legally drive a car. His three decades of flying locally and across the globe have translated to well over 17,000 flight hours, including 16 years flying Boeing 737 and Boeing 777 for Virgin Australia.
Today James is the Chief Pilot of Crockett Aviation, a certified test pilot who conducts demo flights, and an aircraft delivery specialist for several major airlines and corporate jet owners around the world.
James together with his team, passionately ensure safety, service and product quality, are upheld to the highest of standards.
Safety Manager
Ian Wilson
Ian Wilson, has post-graduate qualifications in Safety and Accident Investigation, is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and a member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators.
His 12000 hours of flight experience includes charter work in outback Queensland and the Northern Territory, airline flying in medium turbo-prop and jet transport aircraft, aero-medical flying, and floatplane instructing.
Ian brings the knowledge and experience gained from 30 years in the aviation industry as a Pilot, Captain on Boeing 737 and Embraer 190 jet aircraft, Training Captain, Chief Pilot, Flight Instructor, Safety Manager, and Investigator, to your business.
Senior Base Pilot
Morgan Lee
Morgan’s aviation career spans 35 years, with more than 18,500 hours and careers with legacy carriers Singapore Airline, Emirates and Virgin Australia.
He is an active grade 1 flying instructor in general aviation, as well as a training captain in international airline operations and has flown Airbus 300, 310, 330, 343, 345 and Boeing 744, 777, 787 aircraft. One of his roles with Virgin Australia was the simulator training of the airline’s 777 pilots in a company Cat D simulator.
During the Australian bushfire season he participates as flightcrew on Learjet 35/36 aircraft in a fire-scanning and aeromedical role. For fun he has also completed an APF jump pilot course in Cessna 208’s and conducted parachute operations.
Morgan’s client focus is planning and managing efficient corporate operations for Crockett Aviation, with a safety focus always being the priority.
Project Manager
Gill Vardi
Gill has over 38 years of aviation experience and has been an active aviation consultant over the past 29 years. Gill is a founding partner of Aero Safe Industries Pty Ltd, an aviation consultancy which has operated for over 17 years.
Gill is also the co-owner of Australian Airdisplays with our Chief Pilot James Crockett. Together they share their passion of Airshows and military aircraft with the masses, with large events like the Brisbane Airshow and Red Thunder.
Gill has a military and civil airline background. He has flown Aeromacchi Jet Trainers, C130 Hercules transport, and F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft and has been a commercial airline Check and Training Captain with Qantas. Gill has flown B747, B767, and A330 aircraft, with Check and Training qualifications on B737, B767 and A330 aircraft. Gill has over 17,500 flying hours.
Warbird Operations
Stephen Boyd
Stephen is a Senior Captain with Cathay Pacific Airways, flying the Airbus A350 with more than 17,000 hours in his logbook. His flying career began at 16 when a childhood passion for aviation led him to glider flying with the Queensland Air Training Corps.
He gained his commercial pilot’s license 15 months after finishing high school. In 1994, Steve joined Cathay Pacific Airways and moved to Hong Kong. Initially a Second Officer on the Airbus A340, he was promoted to First Officer on the Boeing 747-400 and in early 2005 he was promoted to Captain on the Airbus A330/340.
In 2009 Steve returned to Australia with his family, continuing to fly with Cathay Pacific while indulging his interest in warbird aircraft. He purchased a CAC Wirraway and an L39 Albatros. Steve is part of the Fighter Pilot team operating the L-39 Albatros and lives in Brisbane with his wife and daughters.
Experienced Crew
Our Pilots bring a wealth of experience
FLIGHT DYNAMICS PILOTS ARE ALL CURRENT AND FORMER AIRLINE CAPTAINS FROM QANTAS AND VIRGIN AUSTRALIA