Managing Director - Christiaan Durrant.

Christiaan is a former Royal Australian Air Force Squadron Leader who instructed F-18 pilots in advanced air combat tactics. Awarded the Fighter Pilot of the Year and dux of the Australian TOPGUN course, Christiaan left the RAAF in 2000 to join QANTAS as an International Airline Pilot. Flying Jumbo Jets to Europe and then Boeing 737s domestically, Christiaan continued consulting to the aviation industry until 2005 when he formed a specialist government consulting and services company. Under this company Christiaan’s aviation experience continued to develop as the company planned and managed major aviation programs for the RAAF and corporate organisations alike. In the commercial sector Christiaan assisted with the start-up of Jet Fighter Flights in Sydney and Gold Coast Adventure Flights.

Outside of aviation Christiaan spends a lot of his time adventuring and advocating for the protection of the environment. Christiaan project managed the Australian Sustainable Agriculture Centre in 2006/7, setup the Southern Tableland Wind Farmers Association in 2007 and personally rehabilitated a Southern Tableland NSW Riparian Zone. Tasmanian Air Adventures provides the means for Christiaan to share his passion for the wilderness, particularly his love of the Tasmania Wilderness.

Chief Pilot - Jethro Nelson

Jethro Nelson was formerly a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force (UK), and served for almost 20 years.  Flying mainly the Panavia Tornado GR4, he flew numerous combat missions, participated in multi-national exercises and became the RAF’s senior Tornado GR4 instructor & flight examiner for the Central Flying School. Instructing ground attack and air combat tactics not only on the Tornado, but also on the agile BAe Hawk advanced jet trainer, Jethro accumulated considerable instructional experience and qualifications, including Qualified Flying Instructor, Qualified Tactics Instructor and Air Combat Leader. 

Before leaving the RAF in 2009, Jethro started following his new passion in aviation: floatplanes, and has now been flying on floats for over 5 years.  He was trained in Scotland and Canada, and subsequently qualified as a commercial seaplane pilot and seaplane instructor.  He trained numerous pilots in the art of flying on floats, and has since flown commercial seaplanes (including the De Havilland Beaver and Cessna Caravan) in the Kimberley and in Tasmania, where he flew from Strahan Harbour to the Gordon River and other areas of Tasmania’s wilderness.

Away from flying, Jethro follows his love of the outdoors by hiking, sailing, and kayaking, as well as camping with his family.  Having been passionate about flying, the outdoors and boating from an early age, Jethro is thrilled that flying seaplanes in Tasmania combines all these aspects.

Director Operations - Timothy Robertson

Tim is an Aviation and Community Development specialist with a pedigree in the Royal Australian Air Force flying tactical transport, Search and Rescue and Fighter Aircraft throughout Australia and Asia. Following active service in Afghanistan and Iraq, Tim joined the United Nations and managed aviation, logistics and stabilisation operations throughout the Middle East and Africa. In 2006 he established a company in Switzerland focusing on Community Development in austere environments winning a global award for Cultural Evolution in Sustainable Development. Tim has established a range of aviation projects throughout Africa and the Middle East assisting with post-conflict support and logistics. He now provides global consulting services in Community Development including Aviation and Logistics support to small communities, Government Departments and select Commercial entities.

Tim is a commercial fixed wing and helicopter pilot. He enjoys any outdoor pastime and holds advanced qualifications in Diving, Climbing, Mountaineering and Sailing. TAA is the perfect vehicle for Tim to combine his love for local Tasmanian community while enhancing opportunities for development in harmony with the natural wilderness and marine environments.

Marketing/Accounts Manager - Louise Breen

Louise brings to TAA a diverse background in administration, accounting, sales and marketing.  Commencing her career with The Credit Union of Tasmania & Tour World Travel, she developed a strong customer service focus and enjoyed many different roles within these businesses. Louise moved on and worked for Architects and then Australian Airlines where she developed a passion for travel, aviation and tourism. Louise established her own Bookkeeping and Administration consultancy business, providing bookkeeping, payroll and marketing services to many Hobart businesses before venturing back into the aviation industry, with Rotor-lift Aviation. Having an opportunity to work across the business, Louise developed a good understanding of the operational and safety side of the business as well as gaining invaluable experience within the local tourism market.

Louise is active within the Hobart community where she volunteered and served on the board of Ronald McDonald House for three years and also trained as a volunteer fire-fighter.

Louise brings with her an intimate knowledge of Tasmania and its unique wilderness experiences.  With a love of flying and boating, Louise is delighted to be a part of Hobart’s new Seaplane Adventure Experience.