16 September 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of Steve Padgett OAM receiving his Commercial Pilot Licence.
Steve’s aviation journey began at 17, when, on 1 January 1964, he was awarded one of the few flying scholarships offered by the RAAF Air Training Corps (ATC).
While undertaking his training, Steve, as dux of the course, was promoted to the commissioned rank of Cadet Under Officer, earning the privilege of dining in the Officers’ Mess at an unusually young age.
Through the ATC, Steve represented 9 Flight Canterbury on numerous flights in RAAF aircraft. This included travelling to Malaysia aboard a C-130 Hercules as part of a cadet exchange programme, where he flew in various aircraft types on active duty, including those of the Royal Air Force.
Steve went on to become a flying instructor before launching his own flying school and air charter company, marking the beginning of Steve’s career in business aviation – a journey now spanning more than 60 years. Steve still works full-time at Flight Options and the Sunshine Coast Jet Centre.
Over the years, Steve has created opportunities across flight training, jet charter, aircraft sales, regional airlines and advanced simulator training.
Steve founded and launched Sunshine Express Airlines in 1998, operating between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane for Ansett Airlines. The service later expanded to include other SE QLD destinations. When Ansett ceased operations, Qantas negotiated to continue the Sunshine Express service.
Steve Padgett also co-founded and chaired Alliance Airlines. From leasing two aircraft, the airline has grown to operate a fleet of more than 80 jets in airline service with Qantas, Virgin and others. Steve chaired the board from its inception until his retirement in 2025.
Having relocated an arm of his family business to the Sunshine Coast in the late 1980s, Steve built substantial infrastructure at Sunshine Coast Airport. He established three large hangars and related facilities, including a major Training and Simulator Facility for Singapore Airlines. This is now the head office and hangar complex for Flight Options and Sunshine Coast Jet Centre.
More recently, Steve Padgett was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to aviation. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and, in 2022, was presented with the Australian Bicentennial Award by the Honourable Company of Air Pilots in the UK, in recognition of an outstanding individual contribution to Australian aviation.
Steve was a founder and was recently made a Life Member of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia and of the Australian Aviation Hall Of Fame, serving as Chairman of the latter organisation for ten years. He was also a founding member of the Australian Business Aviation Association Inc.
Steve Padgett OAM, looks forward to many more years of service to aviation and to working with his team of wonderful aviators, staff, colleagues and friends.