By Ian Badham of HARS Aviation Museum

Four exceptional individual candidates have been identified for induction into the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame in 2025 and one organisation has been recognised to receive of the AAHoF Southern Cross Award.  

The latest inductees are Bill Bristow, Greg Dunstone, Billy Hart and Sir Ivan Holyman with the Regional Aviation Association to receive the AAHoF Southern Cross award.

Chairman Greg Hood AO said since its inception in 2011 AAHOF has honoured 61 Australians who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of Australian aviation and aerospace.

“AAHOF has also recognised 12 organisations through our Southern Cross Award," Mr Hood said.

Bill Bristow

Bill Bristow AM, from Brisbane, is the founder of Angel Flight Australia, a charitable organisation that provides free, non-emergency flights and ground transportation to assist rural and remote Australians in accessing specialist medical treatment.

In April 2003, Angel Flight was born from Bill’s recognition of the challenges faced by people in country areas who needed to travel long distances for medical care.

A passionate aviator since 1970, Bill holds flying qualifications including glider, fixed-wing, helicopter, and multi-engine ratings. His extensive flying experience enabled him to establish a network that connects volunteer pilots and drivers with patients requiring medical appointments.

When he retired from Angel Flight in 2019 it had grown to include over 3,000 volunteer pilots and 4,000 ground volunteers, having completed more than 47,000 flights and transported over 100,000 passengers.

AAHoF chairman Greg Hood said Bill Bristow has left a legacy of compassion and service to rural communities.

Greg Dunstone

Greg Dunstone, from Canberra, is a highly experienced Australian aviation engineer who provided aerospace engineering expertise for more than 46 years to Airservices Australia.

He played a pivotal role in transforming the nation's air traffic management systems through his leadership in radar and surveillance technologies.

Some of his career highlights include:

• Radar Engineering and System Development: Starting as a radar engineer, he contributed to the development of Australia's first digital air traffic control system, ATCARDS. He later led the technical aspects of deployment of mono-pulse secondary surveillance radar (RASPP) across Australia.

• The Australian Advanced Air Traffic System and Maestro Systems: In the 1990s, he led the engineering aspects of air traffic control automation with TAAATS and the Maestro flow management system implemented before the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

• ADSB Leadership: Greg is globally recognised for his pioneering work in Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADSB) technology. He initiated Australia's first ADSB trial in 2003, leading to the country's achievement as the first to implement nationwide ADSB coverage. This advancement has significantly enhanced air traffic surveillance and aviation safety in busy east coastal, Australian remote and regional airspace.

His efforts have extended beyond Australia, contributing to regional air traffic management improvements in the Asia-Pacific region. He chaired the Asia Pacific ICAO ADS-B Task force for 14 years & worked closely with FAA, NavCanada and Eurocontrol.

After retirement from Airservices, Greg focussed on space-based ADSB application across Asia Pacific mainly in Oceanic airspace, particularly for Singapore, New Guinea and India. His work has supported the integration of satellite-based surveillance systems, enhancing global air traffic management capabilities. Greg led the implementation of ADSB which is now widely utilised throughout the world not only by air traffic management service provision organisations, but also enhanced situational awareness in the cockpit, enabling pilots to gain a much better mental model of traffic that might be in close proximity, thereby greatly enhancing aviation safety.

AAHoF chairman Greg Hood said Greg’s career and extensive experience in the implementation of air traffic management and surveillance technologies, reflects a commitment to innovation and safety in aviation, with a legacy of leadership in transforming air traffic management systems both in Australia and internationally.

Billy Hart

William "Billy" Hart, from Sydney, was a trail-blazer in Australian aviation, particularly known for his pioneering flights and contributions to promoting aviation in the country during its infancy.

Billy was the first Australian-born person to fly an aircraft solo in Australia, near Penrith NSW in 2011 and gained Australia’s first pilot’s licence, Aviator’s Certificate No 1, issued by the Aero Club of NSW on 5 December 1911 (under the authority of the Royal Aero Club of Great Britain). He had a dual career as a dentist.

He taught himself to fly, an impressive feat at a time when aviation was still in its experimental stages. His aircraft was a Boxkite-style aircraft built by the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company (later known as Bristol). Hart was instrumental in sparking public interest in aviation by performing demonstration flights across NSW which drew large crowds, helping to popularise the idea of flight in Australia.

AAHoF chairman Greg Hood said while Billy was not a formal flight school operator, his visibility and skill helped inspire a generation of future aviators. He was among the first to advocate for aviation to be taken seriously in Australia, both as a mode of transport and as a field of innovation.

“Although not as widely remembered as some other aviation pioneers, Billy Hart’s early flights and dedication to flying played a significant role in laying the groundwork for Australia's aviation industry. His efforts helped demonstrate the viability of flight in Australia and inspired the public, military and policy-makers alike,” Mr Hood said.

Sir Ivan Holyman

Sir Ivan Nello Holyman (1896–1957) was a pioneering Tasmanian businessman and aviation leader, best known for founding Australian National Airways (ANA), which became a cornerstone of Australia's domestic and international air travel.

In 1914 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force and served with distinction during the First World War. He was wounded four times, mentioned in dispatches, and awarded the Military Cross for gallantry near Jeancourt, France, in September 1918.

After the war, Sir Ivan returned to the family shipping business. In 1932, he and his brother Victor founded Holyman Airways, operating a de Havilland DH83 Fox Moth between Launceston and Flinders Island. Following Victor's tragic disappearance in a 1934 accident, Ivan expanded the airline, merging it with Adelaide Airways in 1936 to form Australian National Airways (ANA). As Managing Director of ANA, Holyman transformed the airline into a major domestic carrier, known for its modern fleet and extensive network. He was instrumental in lifting the Australian government's ban on importing US-built commercial aircraft, allowing ANA to acquire advanced models like the Douglas DC-2. He is credited with the introduction in Australia of air hostesses, free in-flight meals and the automatic insurance of passengers!

AAHoF chairman Greg Hood said Sir Ivan Holyman’s legacy endures in the aviation industry and in the Holyman family's contributions to Tasmania's maritime and aviation heritage. 

The Regional Aviation Association is the AAHOF Southern Cross award winner for 2025

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1980 to represent and advocate for the interests of regional aviation and related support businesses across Australia.

RAAA has some 120 members including airlines, airports, engineering and flight training organisations, finance and insurance firms, and government entities across all Australian states and territories.

RAAA members directly employ over 10,000 people, many in regional areas. Collectively, they generate more than $1.5 billion in annual turnover, transport over two million passengers and move more than 23 million kilograms of freight each year.

The RAAA actively participates in policy discussions and advisory forums, representing regional aviation interests to federal and state governments. It is a member of the Australian Aviation Associations Forum and collaborates with entities like Airservices Australia (ASA), the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).

AAHoF chairman Greg Hood said RAAA highlights issues such as the high cost of operating regional services, reliance on government subsidies, and the need for sustainable aviation policies. In 2024, RAAA released a policy paper urging decisive action to ensure the future viability of regional aviation services.

AAHoF induction dinner

The next Australian Aviation Hall of Fame gala induction dinner will align with the Airshows Downunder Shellharbour event to be held at Albion Park in March 2026.

The dinner will be held on Saturday, 14 March 2026 at the home of AAHOF on the mezzanine floor above the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS).

Attendees at Airshows Downunder Shellharbour will experience the thrill of the flying displays, get up close and personal with historic, military, modern and aerobatic aircraft on the ground and have a great family day out with free carnival rides, market stalls and dining options.

Chairman Greg Hood said the AAHOF Board considers aligning the induction dinner with Airshows Downunder Shellharbour will maximise the opportunity for AAHOF members, sponsors, and aviation enthusiasts to attend the airshow and the dinner.

Booking details for the AAHOF Gala Induction Dinner on Saturday 14 March 2026 can be found at www.aahof.com.au. The dinner will induct the four 2025 inductees and celebrate the recipient of the Southern Cross Award.

 Australian Aviation Hall of Fame (AAHoF)

The Australian Aviation Hall of Fame honours those individuals and organisations whose contributions have advanced aviation and aerospace in Australia.

AAHOF is a not for profit public company located upstairs at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society’s HARS Aviation Museum at Shellharbour Airport at Albion Park Rail NSW.

The Australian Aviation Hall of Fame is grateful for the support of sponsors Viva Energy Australia, the AMDA Foundation, Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Maygars Hill Winery, Dick Smith and Norton White Lawyers.

​AAHoF is committed to preserving the history of aviation in Australia and inspiring its future.