Shane was accepted to a Cadet training program for one of Australia's major airlines straight out of high school and completed his training in Sydney before commencing his training on the Boeing 767 at age 19. He flew the B767 as a Second Officer and First Officer. In 2012 he relocated on a leave of absence to fly for Air Japan, a subsidiary of All Nippon Airways. Based in Tokyo for 6 ½ years, Shane obtained his command on the B767 at age 33, before returning to Australia to take up a position on the B787 Dreamliner. Shane then became a Type Rating Instructor and Check Pilot and UPRT SME trainer on the B787, a position he still holds today.

In addition to airline flying, Shane has held several positions in the aviation industry. He has been the Committee Chair of the Aircraft Design and Operations (ADO) committee for the Australian Airline Pilots Association (AusALPA), the Vice Chair of the ADO Committee for the International Federation of Airline Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA), and the IFALPA representative to the ICAO Instrument Flight Procedures Panel, where he was a key member of the group tasked to rewrite PANS-OPS Vol 1, and the Aerodrome Obstacle Limitations Surface Task Force. He also represented IFALPA at the ICAO UPRT COSCAP Conference.

Shane is the founder, CEO, Director and instructor at UPRT Australia, the leading UPRT solutions provider in the APAC region. UPRT Australia has won multiple awards for its approach to training, safety and industry impact. Shane has instructed in a wide variety of fields, levels and organisations including approvals in aerobatics, formation flying and warbirds. He is one of Australia’s leading on-aircraft UPRT instructors and has instructed on multiple aircraft types in general aviation and on B787, B767 and B737 simulators.

Jeremy is the Co-Founder and Head of Operations at UPRT Australia, where he develops industry-leading UPRT courses designed to enhance pilot safety. Committed to the highest training standards, he ensures pilots not only meet but exceed proficiency requirements, equipping them with real-world upset recovery skills.

Raised in South East Queensland, aviation was in Jeremy’s blood. Inspired by his grandfather, a WWII fighter pilot, he took his first aerobatic flight at 14, soloed at 16, and earned his GFPT (RPL) before finishing high school. By 18, he had obtained his CPL, Instructor Rating, and endorsements in aerobatics, spin, and formation.

Jeremy’s career spans aerobatic instruction, warbirds, and tailwheel training. He worked at Darling Downs Aero Club, Aerotec Warbirds, and Fighter Combat International before founding Attitude Aerobatics in Perth. He played a key role in the Perth Red Bull Air Races (2006–2010) and later established Skythrills, a leading aerobatic school.

A respected aviation leader, Jeremy has held senior roles including Head of Operations, Chief Flying Instructor, and CASA Flight Examiner. He has conducted spin certification testing and led airshow teams, including the AOPA Freedom to Fly display. With over 13,000 flight hours, 9,500 of them instructing, he is one of the few authorised to teach and examine advanced aerobatics and formation flying, having flown over 140 aircraft types.

He also trained and led Australia’s largest civilian aerobatic display team, comprising 13 pilots who performed at the Pacific Airshow on the Gold Coast (2023–2024), with a return scheduled for 2025.

When not instructing, Jeremy trains and prepares his Yak-55 for airshows and aerobatic competitions.

Ric "Peaps" Peapell has a distinguished aviation career spanning both civilian and military sectors. He began flying at 16 in Archerfield, progressing to his Commercial Licence and gaining experience in charter and joy flights. His passion for dynamic flying led him to earn his tailwheel and aerobatic qualifications in a DH82A Tigermoth, an aircraft he still cherishes.

Seeking greater challenges, he joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a Direct Entry Officer Cadet, graduating from Pilots Course at RAAF Base Pearce on the PC-9A. Selected for fast jets, he completed F-111C conversion in 2000 and served with 1 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley.

Peaps deployed in Operation FALCONER (Iraqi Freedom) in 2003, later completing Fighter Combat Instructor (FCI) training, often compared to the U.S. Navy’s TOPGUN program. He instructed across multiple units, including as Course Director of the 2008 FCI course. In 2009, he transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet with the U.S. Navy at NAS Lemoore, later helping establish Australia's Super Hornet training program.

From 2015 to 2018, his career shifted to strategic roles, including Principal Staff Officer to Air Commander Australia and Executive Officer of 82 Wing. Returning to flying, he commanded 1 Squadron from 2018 to 2020, a career highlight.

Now with the RAAF’s Combat Support Group, Peaps continues contributing to aviation as an UPRT instructor and with the RAAF Base Amberley Flying Club. He and his wife, Liza, also lead The Hangar: Youth Mentoring, a nonprofit supporting young people in overcoming life’s challenges.

Dave "Spongo" Spong has been flying for as long as he can remember. Born in Kuala Lumpur while his father flew Sycamore helicopters for the Royal Navy, aviation was always in his blood. His journey began with gliding and RAF Cadet Air Experience Flights in England, leading to aeronautical engineering studies and RAF training on Chipmunks, Bulldogs, Jet Provosts, Gnats, and Hunters. He later flew the Blackburn Buccaneer with the RAF and completed an exchange tour flying the F-111 with the RAAF: he retains a love of high performance, disciplined flying.

Transitioning to commercial aviation, Dave flew the L-1011, B747-400, and later captained the B747 Classic, A330, and A340 with Cathay Pacific. After leaving in 2001, he became an instructor at Air Gold Coast before rejoining the RAAF as a QFI, spending 16 years instructing on the CT4-B.

Following his retirement from the RAAF, he returned to AGC and later joined Jeremy and Shane at UPRT, drawn by a shared passion for advanced flight training. Dave now enjoys instructing in tailwheel, formation, and aerobatics, believing that upset prevention and recovery training is essential to improving pilot skills across all sectors.

Married for 47 years, with two daughters and six grandchildren, he now lives near Boonah, where he keeps his horse and stays close to Archerfield for more exciting flying. He looks forward to sharing his experience and raising the standards of airmanship with every pilot he trains.

Like most aero-nerds, Rob’s interest in flying started when he was young with Airfix aeroplanes hanging from the bedroom ceiling and control-line models. He learnt to fly on Gliders at Benalla where, on his second flight, he was shown a loop and loved it. A couple of years later when he learnt to fly powered aircraft a, aerobatics was an integral part of the syllabus.

He discovered the importance and value of teaching with his first job and has spent the majority of his career instructing and training. “When you teach flying, you learn more about it, and the more you learn, the more you can teach and help others to fly better and more safely as well as having more fun”

Rob has flown as first officer on the ATR42 and the magnificent B727, “the airliner by which all others are judged and found lacking” he jokes. In 1992 he transitioned to the B737, gaining his command a few years later, and just recently retired after marking 30 years on the type. He was a trainer on the B737 for 20 years and also performed many other roles in the airline, even managing a year of leave to fly in Europe. After receiving training in the USA from the FAA and Flight Research Inc, Rob became Qantas’s SME for UPRT, co-creating and introducing the airline’s UPRT program to the mainline fleet as well as two of the subsidiaries.

Along the way, Rob owned a Cessna 150 for 18 years and now regularly practices aerobatics in his current aeroplane, a Pitts Special S2B. He is the president of the Australian Aerobatic Club Queensland Chapter and competes in Intermediate Class.

At UPRT Australia, Rob pursues his passion for aerobatics and instructing, especially spreading the important skills and knowledge of UPRT. He’s doing what he loves – helping other pilots to fly better with our advanced training courses.

Glenn's passion for aviation began in childhood, setting his sights on flying as a career early on. With the support of his parents, he pursued general aviation, becoming an instructor and charter pilot—earning his pilot’s license before his driver’s license.

At 21, he joined TAA, launching a 40-year airline career that included five years with Swissair and 25 with Cathay Pacific, where he became a Senior Captain. Over the years, he flew aircraft ranging from the “sports car” DC-9 to the iconic 747-400, the MD-11, and the A350. His career, unfortunately, was cut short by COVID in 2021.

Despite his time in commercial aviation, Glenn never lost his love for light aircraft. More than a decade ago, he built and now owns an RV-7, using it to explore Australia with his family. His passion for learning led him to formation flying, aerobatics, and formation displays, ultimately bringing him to UPRT Australia.

As an instructor, Glenn enjoys passing on the invaluable lessons he has learned. He believes advanced training—whether UPRT, aerobatics, or formation—makes every pilot safer and more skilled. See you in the sky!