Passing on a lifetime of aviation knowledge

Leaving a job held for 24 years doesn’t mean leaving the industry that has been a lifetime career and for Murray Sullivan continuation of his aviation career means enabling training for other aviation career aspirants.

CAPTION: Air operations coordinator Murray Sullivan at RAAF Pearce in Bull Creek, Western Australia. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

An Australian Public Service air operations coordinator, Mr Sullivan continues his aviation career which began at the age of 13 as a member of the Air Training Corps.

Hailing from Thornlie, Perth, Mr Sullivan continues to work in Western Australia for the ADF at RAAF Base Pearce playing a vital role in being part of the team that trains Australian and Singaporean pilots.

“I was fortunate to spend 24 years in the Royal Australian Air Force, 18 of those years as a crew member on the iconic AP-3C Orion,” Mr Sullivan said.

“I joined the Air Force as an airborne electronic analyst at 18 years of age and had the greatest time being part of a team of dedicated professional people doing a job that delivered satisfaction every day.”

RAAF Pearce operates three flying training squadrons flying PC-21 aircraft and the air operations coordinator supports those squadrons to achieve their training results.

“With often up to 100 flights a day, air traffic control, fire and rescue, refuellers, contractors and our medical services all play vital roles in supporting that training effort,” Mr Sullivan said.

“I’m lucky to have had my family support through my Air Force journey and to continue supporting my aviation career even though my full-time Air Force career has ended.

“It’s great to be assisting Air Force in training our pilots.”

Air Force is preparing to mark its centenary on March 31. For details, visit www.airforce.gov.au/100.

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