At the Australian Aerobatic Academy, we don’t believe in the concept of producing masses of minimum-standard pilots in the minimum possible time or budget with instructors of minimum experience requirements. Our team of dedicated, experienced professionals guarantee to provide you with personalised, high quality tuition.
Some of our instructors and pilots backgrounds are listed below:
Peter Townsend is the Chief Flying Instructor, Chief Pilot and CEO of the Academy. With over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry, Peter learned his skills at the Sydney Aerobatic School, where he started from the ground up as an operations officer. He then became a aerobatic charter pilot and flight instructor, while also working in airline flight operations. Peter has been actively involved in aerobatic competition since 1998, where he became the National Champion in the Basic category. Peter has flown aircraft ranging from gliders to corporate jets and holds a Bachelor of Aviation (Operations Management) from UNSW. In 2022 he was awarded the CASA “Flight Instructor of the Year” Award.
Cass Moeller is a commercial aerobatic pilot and Director of the Academy. Cass has a broad range of experience in General Aviation and airline flight operations and holds degrees in Aeronautical Engineering & Commerce from the University of Sydney. In 2013 Cass won the AAC Matt Hall Racing Scholarship for exemplary sportsmanship and airmanship in Australian competition aerobatics. In 2018 she was crowned the Australian National Aerobatic Champion – the first woman to do so in 23 years!
Pete & Cass founded the Australian Aerobatic Academy in 2010 with the aim of continuing the proud traditions of the Sydney Aerobatic School, where they had both previously worked and trained, in providing high quality aerobatic, advanced handling and primary flight training with exceptional customer service. They fly their own Extra 330SC and routinely compete in and provide coaching for Australian aerobatic competitions. In 2020, both Pete & Cass received the FAI Paul Tissandier Diploma for their “remarkable service to sport aviation” in the field of competition aerobatics.
Cameron Shaw began his career as a flight instructor in 2008. As a Grade 1 flying instructor, Cameron provides a wealth of knowledge and experience for our students, having flown all manner of single and multi-engine general aviation aircraft On his days off he enjoys competitive sailing, having raced internationally representing Australia in 2023 and 2025.