UNSW Aviation Industry Panel Discussion Series

Wing Commander (Reservist), Defence Flight Safety Bureau (DFSB)

WGCDR (Retd) Alf Jonas has dedicated more than four decades to aviation—flying, 

testing, investigating, and championing safety across both the defence and civil sectors.

Alf currently serves with the Defence Flight Safety Bureau (DFSB) as a reservist 

Wing Commander, specialising in Senior Investigations and Aviation Safety Policy. 

He is President of the Australian Society of Air Safety Investigators (ASASI) and was recently appointed a Visiting Fellow at Cranfield University.

Before returning to Defence, Alf spent seven years as Chief Pilot of Corporate Air (Link Airways), operating the SAAB 340B+. His civilian career has also included roles as National Team Leader of the Aviation Safety Advisors at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Chief Pilot of Airborne Research Australia (Flinders University), and airline pilot with Kendell Airlines and Regional Express (Rex).

A graduate of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Academy, Alf flew the Lockheed AP-3C Orion operationally before completing the United States Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS). He subsequently served for more than 20 years as an Australian Defence Force Experimental Test Pilot, including four years as Commanding Officer of the RAAF Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU). He later held senior appointments within the Directorate of Defence Aviation & Air Force Safety (DDAAFS), including Deputy Director Investigations and Chief of Staff.

Alf has accumulated nearly 11,000 flight hours in 65 aircraft types, fixed- and rotarywing, ranging from an Airship to the high-altitude Grob Egrett 520, F/A-18B Hornet, P-51 Mustang, Chinook helicopter, SAAB 340 airliner, and the C-141 Starlifter. His academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (Astrophysics), Graduate Diplomas in Military Aviation and Military & Defence Studies, and a Master of Aviation Management specialising in Human Factors and Non-Technical Skills. He is also a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Aviation Safety and Accident Investigation program.

Outside aviation, Alf enjoys competitive sailing, bushwalking, snow skiing, and instructing as a Taekwondo Black Belt. Finally, in 2025 he was accredited as a Voluntary Guide at the Australian War Memorial where you’ll find him on most Wednesday afternoons.

CEO | Founder | Principal Aerospace Advisor,  Flight Next and former Integrated Airspace Technical Lead with AirServices Australia

James Kaminski is the Founder and CEO of Flight Next, an Australian aviation advisory focused on airspace ecosystem integration. He holds a Master of Science and Technology in Aviation from UNSW and has more than 25 years' experience across the transport sector, including almost two decades in aviation. James works at the crossroads of industry, government and academia to address operational, policy and technological challenges shaping aviation's next chapter. He contributes to international aviation standards and industry forums focused on the safe and efficient integration of emerging aviation capabilities that enable seamless airspace outcomes.

CEO Skycraft and Former Rector UNSW Canberra, ADFA

Dr Michael Frater joined Skykraft as the Chief Executive Officer in February 2022 and has been the Chair of the Canberra Cyber Hub since January 2022.

Prior to joining Skykraft, he was the Rector, University of New South Wales - Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), and was involved in a number of collaborative projects, investigating image and video communications.

Dr Frater has more than ten years’ experience in the development of communications systems and services, including videoconferencing and video and image surveillance.

Dr Frater holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy in Systems Engineering. He is the author of several articles on communications systems and communications services and is the co-author of books on tactical communications architectures and electronic warfare.

Dr Frater is overseeing Skykraft’s mission of building a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites to provide global Air Traffic Management services.

Assistant Professor | School of Science | UNSW Canberra

Dr. Uğur Turhan is an accomplished academic and Senior Lecturer in aviation at UNSW Canberra, specializing in Air Traffic Management, Airport Operations, Aviation Safety, and Human Factors in Aviation. With a Ph.D. in Civil Aviation Management from Anadolu University, Dr. Turhan has over two decades of experience in both academic and professional settings.

Dr. Turhan has held various academic positions, recently serving as Deputy Director at the Capability Systems Centre and Senior Lecturer at UNSW Canberra. He has also served as an Assistant Professor at Eskisehir Technical University and Anadolu University. His international experience includes a visiting professorship at Embry Riddle Aviation Academy.

Dr. Turhan’s research focuses on aviation safety, air traffic management, airport operations, and human factors. He has authored numerous articles in prestigious journals and contributed to several international projects funded by the European Commission. His notable publications include studies on aircraft maintenance, air traffic control training, and aviation security.

Dr. Turhan has taught a wide range of courses, including Air Traffic Management, Airport Operations, Safety Management Applications in Aviation, and Human Factors in ATC. He has also developed and delivered specialized training programs for air traffic controllers and airport operators.

Dr. Turhan has been involved in several high-profile projects, such as the FACT project under the European Commission HORIZON2020 and the Skill-UP project under Erasmus+. He has also held key administrative roles, including Deputy Chair of the Air Traffic Control Department and Safety Management System Director at Anadolu University International Airport.

Dr. Turhan holds various certifications, including a Turkish CAA Air Traffic Controller License and training in aviation safety management systems, project management, and human factors in maintenance.

Head of Civil Air Traffic Control | Rohde & Schwarz 

Rod Sciortino is Head of Civil Air Traffic Control at Rohde & Schwarz Australia, where he works with aviation stakeholdersacross Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific to modernise critical communications and air traffic management infrastructure.

Before joining Rohde & Schwarz, Rod spent more than 35 years with Airservices Australia in a range of operational and executive leadership roles across air traffic management and airport operations. His experience spans frontline operations, major infrastructure programs and the delivery of critical aviation services.

Rod is passionate about helping the aviation industry embrace innovation in a practical way, combining operational experience with technology to improve safety, resilience and efficiency.