Ron Walpole

Ron Walpole is the Chief Pilot of his own family flying business (Holiday Air Adventures) and is associated with Forest Solutions Pty Ltd to fly missions around Victoria's Alpine and forest communities - undertaking aerial assessments and photography. Owen Bassett and/or Cameron Paterson fly with Ron as aerial observers and photographers, and assist with navigation and communications.

Ron is an experienced pilot. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1976 at Point Cook, and was also awarded his Science Degree at Melbourne University in 1978. He then undertook pilot training on number 110 Pilots Course in 1980, on the CT4 Airtrainer and Aermacchi jet trainer in Pearce WA. He went on to fly for a number of postings with the magnificent transport Lockheed C130 Hercules at No. 37 Squadron.

Ron spent most of his RAAF career flying out of Richmond NSW 'exploring' much of the globe. He was also based at East Sale and Point Cook in Victoria, and Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains NSW.

Over the years of RAAF flying he also experienced flight in Mirage, F111, Falcon 900, de Havilland Caribou and Boeing B707 aircraft.

In 1992, Ron was also involved with flying instruction as Flight Commander and CFI at Central Flying School at East Sale in Victoria, flying the very capable Pilatus PC9 trainer. He commanded the RAAF Museum at Point Cook during the 'Australia Remembers' period 1994-1995, leading numerous formation flypasts in the RAAF Museums Harvard pilot trainer (with Harvard, Winjeel, CT4, Mustang formations) around Melbourne, Victoria and the Adelaide Grand Prix in 1995.  He was also involved with Flying Safety management for the RAAF at Air Command in the late 1990s.

After 26 years, Ron retired from the RAAF in 2002 to Rosewhite near Myrtleford in NE Victoria, and was immediately involved flying his Cessna 172 XP in the January 2003 bushfires that ravaged NE Victoria. He took over the family flying business in 2006 as Chief Pilot. Ron now conducts scenic flights around the Victoria Alps and charters through SE Australia. Also flies missions including aerial survey, aerial photography, and fire spotting for other customers including VicForests, DSE and CFA. He is currently involved with the Porepunkah airfield committee as chairman. Ron is also endorsed on a number of general aviation aeroplanes including PA31 Chieftain, PA34 Seneca, AC500 Aero Commander, Be76 Duchess, Be58 Beech Baron, PN68 Vulcanair, A36 Bonanza, DH84 Tiger Moth, CAC Winjeel.

Owen, Ron and Cam have been flying together as a team for over 10 years, undertaking missions for DSE, VicForests, and Forest Solutions.