24/08/2026
What a night for our very own Operations Manager, Vanessa Adamson, finalist for Professional Business Woman of the Year at the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Awards.
We could not be prouder. 🤩
Vanessa has been an integral part of Advanced Flight Theory for more than three decades, helping grow AFT from a dream into the organisation it is today and playing a significant role in supporting more than 26,000 professional pilots throughout their aviation careers.
Vanessa often talks about the four words that have shaped her career: purpose, people, passion and privilege.
And those words are reflected in everything she brings to AFT.
Purpose, in understanding the importance of the work we do.
People, in the relationships she has built with students, pilots, industry partners and the wider aviation community.
Passion, in the energy and enthusiasm she continues to bring to aviation after more than 30 years.
And privilege, in recognising the opportunity we have to help pilots build extraordinary careers and make a genuine difference within our industry.
Beyond AFT, Vanessa is incredibly passionate about supporting women in aviation through scholarships, mentoring, advocacy, connection and her involvement with organisations including the Australian Women Pilots' Association.
Whether she is supporting a pilot taking the next step, connecting people with opportunities, or championing those already forging incredible careers, Vanessa continually uses her experience, networks and position to help others.
While she didn’t take home the award on Friday night, being recognised alongside such an outstanding group of Sunshine Coast business women is something we are incredibly proud to celebrate.
Congratulations Vanessa. We are so proud of everything you have contributed to Advanced Flight Theory, to the aviation industry and, most importantly, to the thousands of people whose careers you have helped shape along the way. 🚁❤️✈️
