Our People
Pilots
Edwards Aviation employs a group of eight pilots, all of whom live locally in Armidale NSW and bring a broad range of experience to the company. With previous operating history from across Australia and each with thousands of hours in their logbooks, our pilots are a familiar face in each of our aircraft types. They continually work to deliver a high standard of safety and customer service, all to the precise schedules and high efficiency we are known for Australia-wide
Engineers
Our purpose-built engineering facility in Armidale is staffed by four full-time engineers who ensure our aircraft are maintained to the highest standard of safety and quality, supporting our high reliability and keeping our aircraft safely in the skies. Working closely with pilots, management and operations staff, they are able to respond quickly to any issues and draw on a vast network of worldwide technical and parts support as part of our in-house maintenance capability
Operations
With two dedicated operations staff, Edwards Aviation can always offer a friendly and familiar voice on the phone to help with any travel requirements. Along with the administration staff at our parent company in Armidale, they help create and plan our flight tasks with the customers and support each flight in real time, putting all the pieces together for a seamless travel experience.
Brad Edwards
Owner
CEO
Head of Training and Checking
As a World Champion glider pilot, Brad already had a long history in aviation before starting Edwards Aviation with a single Citation jet over two decades ago.
With a focus on safety and a dedication to detail for the customer, Brad has lead the company into its current state where it operates six aircraft and employs twelve staff from a large in-house facility in Armidale.
Always looking to reinforce our foundations of safety, skill and service, Brad retains the roles of CEO and Head of Training and Checking, ensuring aircraft are maintained and presented to the highest standards and that our pilots are trained and ready for the diverse range of flying they enjoy with Edwards Aviation.
Markus Edwards
Charter Operations & Maintenance Manager
Engineering Accountable Manager
As the younger member of the Edwards family, Markus has been involved in the business from an early age and has been involved with Edwards Aviation for over 15 years.
Having grown up in the aviation community, flying has always been a part of his life, having soloed a glider on his 15th birthday and maintaining a passion for flying ever since. With a strong understanding of customer expectations and charter flight logistics, Markus helps ensure the business operates smoothly behind the scenes, supporting both flight activities and aircraft maintenance.
Markus is a Director of the Edwards Coaches group of companies and serves as the Accountable Manager for Edwards Aviation's maintenance organisation and charter operations. He also holds the roles of Head of Aircraft Airworthiness and Maintenance Control and Operations Manager, helping oversee the safe, compliant, and efficient management of the company.
Tom McCarthy
Head of Flight Operations
After initially training in Armidale in 2003, Tom has worked in charter aviation in SA, WA and the NT before joining Edwards Aviation in 2015 and brings extensive experience to the role of Head of Flying Operations.
Tom oversees the daily dispatch of aircraft with the priority of safety as well as pilot management, ensuring that every step is taken to prepare for each flight and to provide the highest standard of service possible. Tom maintains a training and development role for pilots and also works closely with operations and engineering departments.
Tom is a member of the General Aviation Advisory Network, an Executive Committee Member of the Australian Business Aviation Association and is a current member of CASA’s Aviation Safety Advisory Panel.
Tom operates all aircraft for the company.
Tim Stewart
Senior Base Engineer
Maintenance Quality & Responsible Manager
Originally from Moree, Tim has a long and varied career in aviation spanning 36 years. Initially in agricultural aircraft maintenance, Tim has extensive experience in complex turbine and jet aircraft types.
Tim’s diverse knowledge of aircraft systems, engines and components provides an invaluable resource to keep our aircraft operating safely and on schedule. Having held previous key roles in other maintenance organisations, Tim is both the Quality Manager and Responsible Manager for our engineering department. He leads the team in the hangar in both maintenance tasks and developing the skills of our younger engineers.
Tim holds engineering qualifications on all our types as well as providing maintenance coverage for many other aircraft.
Tracey Douglas
Operations & Adminstration
Originally from Newcastle, Tracey has a background outside aviation in the funeral services industry. With a strong understanding of customer needs and attention to detail, Tracey brings reliability and efficiency to our operations planning tasks.
Responsible for the long list of jobs that support flight operations, Tracey oversees airport coordination, slots bookings, quoting, job preparation and engagement with customers.
Jack Hanly
Safety Manager
With an extensive training background, Jack worked in a variety of instructing roles prior to joining Edwards Aviation in 2021 where he now operates all aircraft in the fleet. Around his charter flying, Jack works in a training and development role for pilots and is the Safety Manager for flight operations within the company. Jack holds a Grade 1 instructor rating with multiple endorsements and plays a key role in the improvement of our training and safety systems.