Helicopter Simulator, NIGHT VFR, PIFR, COMMAND INSTRUMENT AND CO-PILOT INSTRUMENT RATING TRAINING

Darren O’Brien
Darren O’Brien Chief Pilot Chief Pilot

Darren started his flying career in 1995 after working as an engineer with Qantas. Not long after gaining his commercial license Darren found work as a First Officer with Esso Australia at Longford flying to oilrigs in the Bass Strait. Since then he has flown in many places around the world including Africa, Australia, Canada and PNG in support of oil rig operations as well as Emergency Medical Services, charter operations, Film and television, Marine Pilot Transfer and bush fire support. Darren holds a Degree in Aviation Studies as well as four ATPL licenses and has held both Chief Pilot and Flight Operations roles.

He completed his instructor rating in 1998 and now conducts ab-initio training with Chopperline as well as Night VFR ratings, Sling ratings and Instrument Rating training. Darren joined the Chopperline team in January 2010 after re-locating from Cairns to Brisbane.

Lt. Col. H.M. (Tub) Matheson (Ret.)
Lt. Col. H.M.(Tub) Matheson (Ret.)

Chief Flying Instructor: Rotary Wing; Approved Testing Officer

Tub has held a civil flight crew licence since 1962. Prior to joining Chopperline in 1990, Tub was the Commanding Officer and Chief Instructor at the School of Army Aviation at Oakey. He has extensive experience in Australia, Papua New Guinea and with the US army. He flew reconnaissance helicopters in Vietnam.

In 1970, Tub trained to become a helicopter instructor at the Royal Air Force Central Flying School . Twelve years later he underwent Instructor Pilot training with the US Army Aviation Centre at Fort Rucker. As a result, he has vast experience and a comprehensive knowledge of flying instruction. Tub holds instrument and instructor ratings on both aeroplanes and helicopters.

Yasushi Arakawa
Grade 1 Helicopter Instructor

Yasushi (Harry) graduated from Nipponbunri University in Japan with a Bachelor of Science (Aeronautics) and obtained his helicopter licence in Australia in 1989. He has experience with aerial sheep mustering, general charter work and traffic reports in Victoria.

Most of his flying experience has been gained in R22, R44 and Bell 47.

Aaron McDonald

Grade 1 instructor - Helicopters

Aaron began his flying career in Ayers Rock, carrying out scenic flights, general charter and fulfilling flying doctor requirements in the region.

Aaron has formerly held chief pilot roles in north Queensland as well as extensive film and television work within the south east QLD region. Aaron also still fly's part time for Westpac rescue on the Gold & Sunshine Coasts.

Aaron also has extensive experience in sling load training & turbine endorsement training.

Peter Thompson
Grade 1 Instructor and chief engineer - Helicopters

Peter has extensive experience in both engineering and flying roles, domestically and internationally. Peter began his career as an engineer in Victoria Australia before broadening his experience to incorporate flying, Peter began flying in 1994 and has experience in all areas of rotary wing aviation. Peter moved to the UAE in 2004 and was a senior instructor within the operation teaching military pilots, Peter moved back to Australia in 2007 to an engineering and instructing role on Queensland's Gold Coast. Peter was also the 1st Australian pilot to be endorsed on the Robinson R66 turbine helicopter.

Alex Poole
Grade 1 Instructor - Helicopters

Alex started flying fixed wing aircraft at 14 years of age and graduated from Chopperline in 2004 with a commercial pilot licence (helicopters). Since then he has flown scenic, aerial photography and marine pilot ship transfer flights across Australia. Alex is currently providing instruction to students of Chopperline's commercial pilots licence course as well as advanced training including instructor ratings, helicopter flight reviews and aircraft type endorsements.

Alex is endorsed on the following aircraft: R22, R44, B206, B407, B222, B430 and EC120

Dan Egan
Grade 2 instructor Helicopters - General Manager, CHOPPERLINE

Dan began his flying from an early age of 17, Dan moved to central Australia to fly for a tourist operation as well as flying extensive film & Television work within Central Australia.

Dan moved back to the Gold Coast in 2001 and became a line pilot, then base manager for a local operator, before moving into another managerial and sales position, selling helicopters for the Australian Robinson dealer.

Dan has casual flying positions with all 3 commercial television stations in Brisbane as well as retaining a regular flying role with Westpac rescue on the Gold & Sunshine Coasts, Dan was awarded a lifesaving excellence award in 2009 for a rescue carried out after a fixed wing aircraft ditched off the coast of northern NSW.

Dan is endorsed on the following aircraft... R22, R44, R66, B47, H500, B206, B407, AS350, EC120, EC130, A109

Johanna Osborne
Johanna Osborne Grade 2 Helicopter Instructor Grade 2 Helicopter Instructor

Licensed in 2001, Johanna started flying turbine helicopters at Ayres rock and Kings Canyon for 2 years. Johanna then moved to Cairns where she conducted Tourism and charter flights as well as servicing RFDS, AMSA, Telstra and Powerlink contracts. Johanna also featured in programs such as “The Great Outdoors” and “Getaway”.

Johanna Became and instructor in 2006 and joined Chopperline in August 2009. Johanna also fills in for the Chopperline Marine Pilot Transfer operations in Gladstone & Hay Point, on the EC135.

Johanna is endorsed on the following aircraft: R22, R44, H500, B206, AS350, EC120, EC 135

Rob Sweet
Grade 2 Helicopter Instructor

After growing up and working on the family farm in south east Queensland Rob commenced his training to obtain his commercial helicopter licence in September 2008 at Chopperline. He then gained commercial experience as a charter pilot working for 12 Apostle Helicopters in Victoria. Rob recently joined Chopperline (August 2011) after completing his Instructors Rating.