Board of Directors

President

Jake Weston

Born and raised in Cairns, Jake attended Saint Augustine’s College before embarking on a career in trades. Starting as an apprentice Boilermaker at NQEA in 1989, he soon discovered his passion for aviation. In 1991, Jake began a new chapter, starting an aviation maintenance apprenticeship at Cairns Airport with Cairns Aircraft Maintenance, a key service provider for the North Queensland Aero Club (NQAC).

By 1999, Jake’s dedication and expertise earned him the role of Chief Engineer, which led to opportunities with prominent aviation companies, including GAM and Hinterland Aviation. In 2018, with the support of his community, Jake opened his own aviation maintenance facility in Mareeba, now employing seven staff members.

With over 30 years of association with the NQAC, Jake has played an integral role in maintaining the fleet through his work with various companies. When he’s not busy ensuring aircraft safety, he enjoys fishing, camping, and off-road adventures.

Jake is currently the Director and Chief Engineer at Aircraft Maintenance Australia and proudly serves as President of the North Queensland Aero Club.

President

Nathan Bridge

Nathan has been a member of the North Queensland Aero Club for over 13 years. He began with learning to fly with the Club and obtained his private pilots licence in 2008. Nathan further developed his skills with a command instrument rating in 2012. Nathan enjoys flying himself around the Far North for work, family and friends.

Vice President

Peter Paterson

Peter joined the NQAC Board of Directors in 2020. A North Queensland resident since 1982, Peters first association with the NQAC was in 1999. Peter holds a Private Pilots Licence and is currently working towards an instrument rating. As a contractor in the mining industry, GA has taken Peter to numerous remote locations throughout Australia and PNG. Peter regularly flies for work but increasingly for leisure with family and friends.

Secretary

Heidi Fridolf

Heidi has served on the board of the North Queensland Aero Club for 2 years while also working in the aviation industry. She began learning to fly at the Aero Club in 2019 and she was awarded the Bill Sims Memorial Trophy for student of the year in 2020. Heidi completed her Commercial Pilots Licence in 2021 and is currently studying for her Command Instrument Rating.

Serving as the Secretary on the board of North Queensland Aero Club, Heidi plays a major role in budgeting, marketing, and fleet management. 

Director & Safety Manager

Paul McKenna

Paul was first a member of the NQAC in 1990, gaining his PPL with the Club in 1992 before leaving for a career in the Australia Army flying Black Hawks. Post ADF, he worked in Australia and Overseas flying helicopters in Offshore Oil and Gas, then Emergency Medical Services/Rescue in Cairns flying Rescue 510 before transitioning to casual Air Attack/Fire Fighting in Vic & NSW for Kestral Aviation. 

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Paul became a Club Director in 2020 and took over as Safety Manager in 2021.

Director

Andrew Clair

Andrew Clair is a dedicated aviation professional with deep roots in the North Queensland community. Born and raised in Atherton, Andrew’s passion for aviation was initiated at the age of 18 when he first learned to fly with the North Queensland Aero Club. His initial experience with the club sparked a lifelong dedication to the aviation industry.

Currently, he serves as the CEO of Hinterland Aviation, where he focuses on expanding and enhancing aviation services. Under his leadership, Hinterland Aviation has significantly expanded its network into the Cape York and Torres Strait regions with Regular Public Transport (RPT) services. Andrew has played a pivotal role in providing reliable connectivity to remote communities, demonstrating his commitment to excellence and innovation in the aviation industry.

Director

Tristan Cabello

Tristan grew up in Melbourne. His aviation career began in 2005 as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer for Qantas Airways. It wasn’t long before he got itchy feet and wanted to fly. He started flight training in 2006, gaining his Commercial Pilots Licence in 2010. After working as a flight instructor for 4 years Tristan joined Hinterland Aviation in 2015 where he is now the Head of Flying Operations

Patron

Ray Fry OAM

Ray Fry (OAM) learnt to fly with the NQAC in 1974 and bought his first aircraft in 1984.  He has previously held the role of Board Member and President of the NQ Aero Club over many decades, becoming Patron of the NQAC in the early 1990’s.

Ray has over 2000 hours of flying experience in both fixed wing and rotary, flying extensively around Australia over the decades in private operations, both VFR and IFR.  He has owned 3 fixed wing aircraft in his 4 decades of flying, being a Lance, Aztec and Duchess and also owned 3 Robinson Helicopters in later years.

Ray was owner of local Cairns businesses NERCO and NORSHIP and employed thousands of people over his many years of business ownership in Cairns. He also owns and runs cattle properties on the Atherton Tablelands and lives of one of these properties today with his wife Phyllis.

Ray was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in June of 2018.  The NQAC is incredibly proud to have this fine man as its Patron.