Phil Frawley is a human who was truly born to fly. As a young boy he spent countless hours building model airplanes and dreaming of the day when he would get to control an aircraft. Phil’s hard work, determination and perseverance finally paid off when, after five years as an aircraft technician, he was accepted into the Royal Australian Air Force 92 Pilots Course in July 1974.
49 1/2 years later, Phil is retired from the RAAF. He was a Squadron Leader at 76 Squadron flying the Hawk 127, retiring on 30th June 2018. Following this amazing career he was inducted into the Guinness World Records as having been the oldest active fighter pilot in history. Guinness World Record
Phil is also a qualified low-level demonstration pilot and has performed flight demonstrations for many years in various aircraft. He holds a civilian commercial pilots license with a civilian level two flying instructor rating.
Phil currently resides in the beautiful city of Newcastle with his wife Kerry. Phil has been involved with the boat designed and built by Dave Warby for the world water speed record challenge, the boat is called Spirit of Australia II and Phil is the crew chief looking after all aspects to do with testing and preparing the boat for the challenge. He has also recently been appointed President of the Merewether Hamilton Adamstown RSL Sub-Branch a role he thoroughly enjoys as looking after veterans is a real privilege for him. Phil also regularly updates his blog where he shares experiences and personal stories from his aviation career.
Career highlights
Joined the RAAF 10 Jan 1969 – 23 Apprentice Intake – Wagga
Graduated as an Instrument Fitter Posted to Williamtown
Two and a half years at Williamtown on Mirage and Macchi
92 Pilots Course July 1974
Five years C-130 Hercules transport
Five years Mirage
Two years Qualified Flying Instructor – Point Cook
Eighteen Months Macchi – 2 OCU
Five years Hornet – 2OCU and 77 Sqn EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Three years Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre Fighter Operations Lecturer
Two years 76 Sqn – Macchi – retired 1997 to Saudi Arabia
Success flourishes only in perseverance — ceaseless, restless perseverance.
— Baron Manfred von Richthofen, German fighter ace in WWI —
Speaking
Phil is an experienced and popular speaker with a range of subjects that provide an amazing insight into the world of fighter pilots.
Corporate Training
Phil was, for many years, the lead facilitator in the RAAF’s Air Combat Group for Crew Resource Management (CRM). CRM incorporates a wide range of subjects designed to educate people in team building principles, leadership and followership techniques, human factors, fatigue factors, error management and conflict resolution.
Phil is able to adapt these subjects to virtually any corporate application to deliver the skills and knowledge to management and employees that will improve their productivity and contribution to the workplace environment.
Enrichment Speaking
Phil is an accomplished enrichment speaker having worked for cruise lines Royal Caribbean International and the exclusive six star line Crystal Cruises. He delivers talks on aviation related subjects such as:
Autobiographical – a summary of his life as an RAAF pilot with entertaining anecdotes mixed in
Military Aircraft Flying – what it’s like to fly these amazing aircraft
Fighter Tactics History – from pistols to missiles
The Road to ‘Top Gun’ – the path to becoming an RAAF combat fighter pilot and instructor
Military Leadership Techniques – how the military leadership doctrine differs from civilian corporations
The Battle of Milne Bay – a little known WWII battle that changed the course of the war in the Pacific
After Dinner Speaking
Phil has also been engaged to speak at many functions due to his easy, relaxed delivery style. With his amazing long career in aviation he relates many delightful and funny anecdotes mixed with some dramatic stories of close calls that will have everyone on the edge of their seats.
So if you want to have Phil bring a wonderfully different slant to your function or have your employees expertly trained in team building and leadership techniques get in touch to arrange a booking.
Aggressiveness is fundamental to success in air-to-air combat. If you ever caught a fighter pilot in a defensive mood you had him licked before you started shooting.
— Captain David McCampbell, USN, leading U.S. Navy ace in WWII —
Jet Fighter Flights
You can actually go flying with Phil in a jet fighter trainer and experience what it is like to fly in a high performance jet. Phil will take you in the Albatros L-39C for an exhilarating ride in this incredible ex-military fighter jet! You will reach speeds Up to 900km/h and feel the force of 5 G’s as he takes you through a range of military combat manoeuvres. The ride can be tailored to the individual as anything from mild to wild.
So are you up for the challenge? Phil will provide you with a military style mission briefing and then fit you out with a fully badged flying suit so you look the part and feel immersed in the world of a fighter pilot for the experience of a lifetime. You will then be strapped into the jet and given another briefing on emergencies. Then it’s start up and taxi out for the take off which will set you back in the seat as the jet accelerates. Once airborne you will be amazed at the smooth quiet ride and the panoramic visibility. You will then complete all the manoeuvres and return for the circuit and landing which is also an exciting part of the ride.
Want to know more about flying with Phil in a jet fighter? Get in touch.
To be a good fighter pilot, there is one prime requisite — think fast, and act faster.
— Major John T. Godfrey, USAAF —
Video
This is a short video of Phil performing some aerobatics in the the Aero L-39 Albatros fighter jet during an air show at RAAF Base Williamtown. The footage was shot with two mounted GoPro cameras.