BRISBANE, Queensland, July 13, 2010 – Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], has appointed a chief pilot to further strengthen its training capability.
Retired Air Commodore Chris Beatty has commenced his new role and is responsible for maintaining Boeing Defence Australia’s pilot training governance in line with internal, customer and regulatory bodies’ requirements. Beatty has the experience and expertise required for the position and has accrued almost 7000 flying hours (3500 on rotary wing platforms and 3400 on fixed wing platforms) and 2700 hours as a Qualified Flying Instructor throughout his distinguished career.
“Welcoming Chris onboard as chief pilot is a coup for Boeing Defence Australia, and I am confident his knowledge and skill set will enhance our training capability on current and future programs,” said John Duddy, Boeing Defence Australia vice president and managing director.
“We are committed to training pilots, aircrew and technicians to support the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) domestic and global operations, and appointing a chief pilot is another way Boeing Defence Australia is going above and beyond to ensure we meet our customers’ requirements,” said Mark Brownsey, Boeing Defence Australia senior manager of Training Systems and Services. ”With key programs on the horizon, such as Interim Basic Flight Training, Air 9000 Phase 7 and Air 5428, it is essential that we continue to deliver best-practice total training solutions like those we have provided under our current Army Aviation Training and Training Support contract.”
Beatty joins Boeing after a distinguished career in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which included:
- being awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for service with No. 9 Squadron in Vietnam, and the Air Force Cross with No. 12 Chinook Squadron
- completing six operational tours on helicopters and five tours as a qualified flying instructor at various training units
- flying in three display teams, including two years with the RAAF’s elite formation aerobatic display team, The Roulettes
- senior appointments as Commanding Officer of No. 12 Chinook Squadron, Director of Flying Safety for the ADF, Commander Combat Support Group and Commander Training Air Force.
Since retiring from the RAAF, Beatty has been a director of Frontline Defence Services, director of the Aviation Safety Foundation of Australia, and an Operational Member of the ADF Airworthiness Board.
“It's wonderful to be part of the Boeing team, and I’m looking forward to supporting the ADF through Boeing Defence Australia’s current and future training programs,” Beatty said.
Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company and a business unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, is a leading Australian aerospace enterprise. With a world-class team of more than 1,500 employees at 14 locations throughout Australia and two international sites, Boeing Defence Australia supports some of the largest and most complex defence projects in Australia.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defence, space and security businesses specialising in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.
# # #