Recognition of Australian Unmanned Systems Industry Champions
AAUS Industry Champion Awards Finalist
We couldn’t be more proud of this guy, our business partner and good friend Mitchell Bannink, who has scored himself a guernsey as a finalist for the NextGen Achievement Award. This award recognises individuals that demonstrate elite capability and leadership in their field within the unmanned systems sector.
Winners will be announced during the AAUS Gala Dinner that will be held in Canberra in the evening of Wednesday July 17, 2019. The Gala Dinner is being held in conjunction with the AAUS RPAS in Australian Skies 2019 conference.
Over 120 nominations were received for the 5 award categories.
Mitchell Bannink (University of Adelaide & Overall Photography)
Mitchell Bannink nothing short of an elite leader, advocate and educator for RPAS operations at the University of Adelaide and the RPAS industry across Australia. He brings a wealth of energy, experience and knowledge to the RPAS industry.
Mitch is heavily involved in the full spectrum of operations and training in the RPAS industry, ranging from defence to agricultural research, autonomous swarms to cinematography at major public events. Meanwhile, his deep engagement with regulatory agencies such as CASA, the ATSB, Airservices Australia and various committees, places him as a member of the RPAS community that is abreast of industry and recreational needs while leading the way in advocating for them.
Mitch’s leadership career began when he was appointed as the Head of Check and Training with an Australian airline at the age of 25. More recently, Mitch was a Fleet Safety Investigator for Jetstar, specialising in RPAS/manned aircraft incidents and deconfliction, and responding to the Senate enquiry into RPAS on behalf of the Qantas Group.
In addition to his position within the University of Adelaide, Mitch has continued his leadership accomplishments within the RPAS sector, becoming the President of the Canberra Model Aircraft Club, President of the ACT Aeromodellers Association, a Council member of the Model Aeronautical Association of Australia (MAAA), a Safety and Technical Representative to AusALPA, (supporting the RPAS and Accident Investigation portfolio) and Vice President of the ACT UAV Developers organisation, (supporting events such as the Outback Challenge), all within the last 18 months.