David Sewell

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David Sewell is recognised as one of Australia’s leading aerial firefighting pilots, having led several significant fire campaigns across southeast Australia. As Kestrel’s Chief Pilot, David has been a key part of the company’s aerial firefighting capability, pilot training and innovation projects.

David joined Kestrel in 2007, having over twenty-eight (28) years of aviation industry experience, with significant flight time across both multi-engine and single-engine rotary wing aircraft.

As Kestrel’s lead firefighting pilot, he has led major rural firefighting campaigns in Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, including the notorious “Black Saturday Fires” for which he was awarded an Emergency Services Medal. He has additionally led several urban firefighting campaigns across Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra, as well as spent time flying multi-engine helicopters overseas in both Canada and Papua New Guinea.

Prior to joining Kestrel, David was the Chief Pilot for Helicopters Victoria, owned by the Grollo Family, for fourteen (14) years. In that role, he operated three (3) aircraft predominantly across the alpine regions of Victoria and New South Wales.

During his career, he has led several search and rescue operations, of which he was awarded a US Coast Guard Commendation for his involvement in rescue missions during numerous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race’s, as well as support for offshore oil and gas platforms in the Bass Strait. 

He holds the following qualifications – Air Transport Pilots Licence for helicopters; Chief Pilot Approval; Command Instrument Rating for helicopters with multiple renewals; Instructor Rating for helicopters with multi-engine approval; and Examiners Rating including low level approvals.