Black Jet - Pilots

Real RAAF Fighter Pilots

Black Jet has a young, dynamic and highly qualified team, who are all devoted to providing you the flight of your life.

Black Jet’s pilots have all had distinguished careers as real military pilots. Our pilots are F/A-18 and F-111 fighter pilots, test pilots, and pilots with combat time in Iraq, East Timor and Afghanistan.

They have since moved on to successful careers outside the Air Force. Black Jet’s pilots are now managing directors, partners in legal firms, specialist aviation consultants, and airline pilots. They fly with Black Jet because they still love to fly, and they love to share the incredible experiences of air combat, formation and aerobatics.

Our aircraft are looked after by an expert team of engineers. They love aviation, and take immense pride in their work. Their dedication and workmanship will be evident when you step into one of the awesome Black Jet machines.



		Peter Budd Peter ‘Flange’ Budd is a former RAAF F/A-18 fighter pilot and graduate of the distinguished Empire Test Pilots School in the UK. He has flown more than 50 types of aircraft, from hang gliders to airliners to fighters. Amongst others, he has flown and tested the Rafale, F/A-18, Tornado, Jaguar, Hunter and Mirage 2000. As a civilian test pilot, he tests and develops new and unique aircraft. He also continues to serve in the RAAF Reserve, helping to select and train Australia’s next generation of test pilots. When he’s not flying, Pete enjoys surfing, wave sailing and running.



		Matt Budd Matt Budd is a former RAAF VIP pilot. He was loaned to the United States Air Force where he became the chief flying instructor for an entire Squadron of air-to-air refuelling aircraft. He flew KC-135s during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, flying numerous missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. He has flown covert missions, including the refuel of Air Force One over the Arctic. Matt has over 3500 flying hours - 800 of which were in combat. He lives on the Gold Coast, and enjoys riding his Harley and keeping fit.



		Paul Brady Paul ‘Brades’ Brady flew the F-111 as a strike, reconnaissance and maintenance test pilot. Brades’ flying career has spanned more than 21 years and 7000 hours on over 20 aircraft types, from F-111s to DC-3 Dakotas. As an F-111 mission commander for low level strike and reconnaissance missions, he flew major international defence exercises in Malaysia, Singapore, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. He currently flies the Airbus A330 and A340. Brades lives on Brisbane’s bay side and enjoys wakeboarding and dirt bike riding.



		Greg Choma Greg ‘Scorch’ Choma is one of a select group of F-111 pilots to have flown all five variants of the RAAF F-111. During the East Timor conflict, he flew reconnaissance missions in the F-111, helping to locate and identify hostile ground forces. He flew strike and reconnaissance missions during major Exercises in Malaysia, New Zealand and Alaska, and has performed numerous flying displays including the famous “dump and burn” over the Gold Coast Indy. He has flown more than 6000 hours in a career spanning over 17 years. Scorch lives in Brisbane, and if he’s not flying, you’ll find him headed for his next Kite Surfing session.



		Neil Beale Neale ‘Nokka’ Brain was an F/A-18 Fighter Pilot and Fighter Combat Instructor (FCI). As an FCI, Nokka was an instructor at Australia’s version of Top Gun. He has been flying for over 20 years, and is one of Australia’s most experienced F/A-18 pilots. He now flies for the airlines and is a specialist aviation consultant. Nokka lives in Newcastle and enjoys rock climbing and motorcycling.



		Mike Prior Mike ‘JB’ Prior was an F/A-18 Fighter Pilot and Fighter Combat Instructor. Following an exchange tour flying F/A-18s in Canada, JB became the Executive Officer at Australia’s equivalent of Top Gun, and was responsible for the training of Australia’s Fighter Pilots and Fighter Combat Instructors. Following his distinguished RAAF career, JB completed a law degree and is now a partner in a successful Gold Coast law firm. Mike is also a highly sought after keynote speaker and corporate analyst. When he’s not busy, JB flies with us at Black Jet.



		Andrew Langley A graduate of the Empire Test Pilots School in the UK, Andrew ‘Barney’ Langley is one of Australia’s most experienced helicopter test pilots. After two years in the South of France testing the new Tiger helicopter, Barney has returned to Australia to continue testing and instruct pilots to fly the Tiger. He is an accomplished test pilot and display pilot for both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. He lives in South East Queensland and enjoys rugby, cooking and spending time with his kids.



		Paul Regli Paul ‘Riggs’ Regli was an F/A-18 Fighter Pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was a fighter weapons instructor and flew combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. Following an exchange tour to Australia, Riggs decided to emigrate and continued his distinguished career as an RAAF F/A-18 instructor. Riggs now lives on the Gold Coast where he runs a medical practice and works as a manager for CareFlight. In his spare time he comes and flies with us at Black Jet.



		Paul Hoskinson Paul ‘Hosko’ Hoskinson was an F/A-18 Fighter Pilot with the RAAF. Hosko completed an exchange tour with the United States Navy where he qualified for carrier landings and takeoffs and instructed American pilots to fly the F/A-18. On return to Australia he was placed in charge of the RAAF’s fighter pilot training program before joining an international airline. Hosko grew up on the Gold Coast but now lives in Newcastle where he enjoys surfing, spending time with his family, and completing his Financial Management degree.



		Melita Budd Melita is the Business and Customer Relations Manager, and she gets to fly the front desk at Black Jet Headquarters. Melita will take care of your bookings and flight arrangements, and her mission is to ensure your entire experience with Black Jet is simple, efficient and friendly.