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Professor and ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Aviation Head of School, Human Factors and Aviation Safety

Professor in Human Factors and Aviation Safety, holds a CPL with an advanced aerobatics rating and is a Registered Psychologist. Has a keen interest in understanding human behaviour in both normal and abnormal situations. Brett’s application of his knowledge and expertise extends beyond the aviation industry and includes other modes of transportation, such as road, as well as other high consequence industries, such as medicine.

Defence Flight Safety Bureau

WGCDR Clare Fry joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in January 1997. She completed a Bachelor of Technology (Aviation) at the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1999 and was posted to the School of Air Navigation. In October 2001, SQNLDR Fry was awarded her Navigator Wings.

Then posted to 92WG, WGCDR Fry flew as a Navigator/Communicator and Tactical Coordinator on the P3C and AP3C Orion aircraft. SQNLDR Fry was posted as an instructor to the School of Air Warfare in 2009, where she taught airborne navigation, mission command and maritime operations. Upon promotion in 2011, SQNLDR Fry took up the position of Group Aviation Safety Officer for the Air Force Training Group.

WGCDR Fry has had a keen interest in Aviation Safety since completing the RAAF Flying Safety Officer Course in 2006. Shortly thereafter, she commenced postgraduate studies at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne and graduated with a Masters in Aviation Human Factors in 2010. In 2017 WGCDR Fry completed a Graduate Certificate of Safety and Accident Investigation (Air Transport) at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom.

WGCDR Fry posted into the Defence Flight Safety Bureau (then Directorate of Defence Aviation and Air Force Safety) in January 2015. She has held positions as Section Head of Human Factors and as an Aviation Safety Investigator, and was selected for secondment to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau in 2018. In the Australia Day 2020 Honours, WGCDR Fry was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for her achievements to advance Defence aviation safety.

WGCDR Fry posted to the Institute of Aviation Medicine as the Executive Officer in 2021, before promotion to WGCDR and return to DFSB as the Deputy Director of Education and Training. In January 2025, WGCDR Fry transferred to the reserves, and provides specialist support to DFSB across Investigations, Human Factors and Non-Technical Skills and Education programs.

United Airlines Captain, Director of Operations for Skyways Charter, Former FAA Inspector & U.S. Navy Reconnaissance Pilot

Dr. Curtis Calabrese, PhD is a recognised leader in aviation safety and operations. A former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector and U.S. Navy Reconnaissance Pilot, he now serves as a United Airlines Captain and the Director of Operations for Skyways Charter, a South Florida–based air carrier. In his role as United Airlines’ representative on the Event Review Committee (ERC), Dr. Calabrese partners with the FAA and Air Line Pilots Association to review safety data, investigate events, and implement corrective actions that enhance safety for more than 18,500 pilots and 4,600 daily flights.

During his tenure with the FAA, Dr. Calabrese investigated over 100 aircraft accidents and incidents, including the Southwest Airlines runway excursion at Burbank and the Calabasas helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant.

He holds a B.S. from the U.S. Naval Academy, an M.S. from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Ph.D. from the University of New South Wales, where his research focuses on human behaviour, safety policy, and regulatory effectiveness.

Senior Transport Safety Investigator, Australian Transport Safety Bureau

Dr. David has more than fifteen years’ experience working at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and works as a Senior Transport Safety Investigator specialising in research, aircraft accident dynamics and data recovery. During this time, he has contributed to more than 50 investigations and publications and been the lead investigator of several systemic investigations for the ATSB including the systemic evaluation of home-built aircraft accidents and the reliability of aviation weather forecasting in Australia. David has a PhD that presented a novel mathematical model to quantify the likelihood of airliner exposure to adverse situations from inaccurate aerodrome weather forecasts and has degrees in aeronautical engineering and physics. He is also a private pilot.

Manager Group Investigations, Qantas Airways LimitedÌý

James began their career with the Qantas Group in 2007 as a Long-Haul Flight Attendant with Jetconnect in Auckland. With the creation of Qantas Cabin Crew Australia in 2008, James moved back to Sydney, where they continued flying primarily on the A380. In 2015, James transitioned to the position of Cabin Safety Advisor, kick starting their career in Safety. In 2018, James joined Group Investigations as a Senior Safety Investigator. Their interest in taking on more significant investigations and stakeholder management functions led to becoming a Principal Investigator and eventually Manager of Group Investigations. During the pandemic, James took on the role of Safety Professional, supporting the Fleet Maintenance and Rolling Stock division of Sydney Trains. Outside of work, James is a Firefighter with the NSW Rural Fire Service and father to two daughters. James holds a Bachelor of Accident Forensics and a Diploma in Work Health and Safety from Central Queensland University.