Newcomers take flight in aviation advisory body

The Australian Government welcomes Mr Rob Walker as the new chair of the General Aviation Advisory Network (GAAN), with Mr Greg Tyrrell also joining the network as a new member.

Mr Walker has more than 30 years experience in stakeholder engagement and public affairs in the aviation sector, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia.

Mr Tyrrell also brings extensive experience to the network, including as the Executive Director of the Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems – the peak body advocating for the drone and advanced air mobility sectors in Australia, whose membership has grown to 4,500 under his leadership since 2014.

Their expertise will build on that of the current members to support the GAAN’s role in providing advice to me on matters affecting the general aviation sector. 

The network is also a forum where industry representatives can identify opportunities to work collaboratively to respond to pressures, trends and issues facing the general aviation sector and assist in the development of policy.

I would like to thank Mr Andrew Andersen, the outgoing chair, for his passionate advocacy for general aviation and service in the role since 2019. 

Mr Anderson will continue to play key roles in the sector, including as the independent chair of the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

I also thank outgoing members Dr Reece Clothier and Ms Catherine Fitzsimons for their service on the network. 

Dr Clothier continues to play a critical role in national and international forums shaping the regulation of the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems and advanced air mobility, with Ms Fitzsimons continuing as Chief Pilot at WardAir, a flight training school in Bathurst, New South Wales.

The new appointments are for three-year periods to 2027.