David Pilkington learnt to fly in 1966 and started flying aerobatics a few years later in an Airtourer 100. He then moved on to the Pitts and Laser (built in partnership with Alan and Jaqui). He currently flies a Cessna A152 Aerobat, Super Decathlon and a Pitts S-2C.
Twice Australian Advanced Aerobatic Champion. Sometime Unlimited competitor. Leader of the Melbourne Aerobatic Club’s formation aerobatic team and solo display pilot for a few years.
Gained a CPL in 1994 then a flight instructor rating in 1995. However David had approval from the late 1970s to teach advanced aerobatics in the Pitts and conduct tests for issue of low level aerobatic approvals.
In the USA in the mid-nineties he was an FAA approved production test pilot for the Husky and Pitts S-2B aircraft. He also did some developmental test flying and customer demonstration flying.
David is now semi-retired so is able to specialise in tailwheel, spinning and aerobatics training including low level competition aerobatics.
David is a Grade 1 flight instructor and works with one major flight school as subject matter expert for spinning, aerobatics and Upset Prevention and Recovery Training. He holds flight examiner privileges for instructor spin and aerobatic training endorsements. David has trained many instructors for their spin and aerobatic training endorsements.
From 2000 to 2003, David was Chairman of the Technical Safety Committee for the International Aerobatic Club. From 2005 to 2008, he was President of the Australian Aerobatic Club Victorian Chapter.
On 30/9/19 Australian Flying Magazine and the Australian Division of the Royal Aeronautical Society announced the recipients of the 2019 WINGS Awards. David Pilkington won the award for Flying Instructor of the Year …. read more.
On the engineering side, David has recently undertaken consulting engineering activities for aircraft design and manufacturing companies in Australia and the USA.
David has a B.E. (Aero) from RMIT and M.Sc from Cranfield. His early career was in aircraft aerodynamic design, flight and wind tunnel testing, flight performance, handling qualities and flight loads. On one project, he worked with NASA’s Spin Research Center.
Vice President, Engineering and Test Pilot at Aviat Aircraft, Inc (USA) in the mid-nineties. Returned to Australia as Chief Engineer – Air Vehicles at ASTA Components (Boeing Australia) then Engineering Manager/Chief Engineer at BAE Systems in Melbourne. At GKN Aerospace Engineering Services 2001 to 2008.
Chairman of the Melbourne Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society: 1990-1993 and 2017-2018. A Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
He held company and private CASA Reg 35 design authority as well as Reg 22 authority. He was a USA FAA Designated Engineering Representative and FAA approved production test pilot.
Contact David via http://www.ozaeros.com.au/contact-us.html