Our People

Altara’s people are its greatest asset.

Recruitment is focused on the selection of personnel with extensive aviation experience with a ‘can do’ attitude. The majority of our personnel have completed wide-ranging roles within many of the worlds leading airlines and regulatory authorities.

Many of our flight operations personnel in the Consulting, Auditing and Training Divisions have held commands on heavy jets and have extensive flight operations management experience. Our team hold numerous endorsements including:

A320 family
A330
B737
B767
B757
B777
B747
BAE146
MD11
CRJ.

Key Personnel

Karon Hughes
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Karon has extensive aviation experience with over 26 years in the industry including airline general management roles and numerous senior flight operations management positions with major airlines.

Karon has managed and overseen projects including airline start ups, Air Operator Certificate applications, aircraft leasing and the implementation of advance quality and safety management systems. Karon has previously held the rank of Captain in Australia’s largest regional airline.

Karon was instrumental in the set up and implementation of the Altara Resources recruitment and labour hire division which employs in excess of 500 personnel.

At Altara, Karon is responsible for carrying out the strategic plans and policies established by the board of directors.

Simon Vallence
Co-Founder & Head of Consulting
Simon has extensive aviation experience with over 23 years in the industry. During this time he has managed the operational launch of a number of airlines, co-ordinated the application, upgrade and variation of numerous Air Operator Certificates and has held positions in Safety and Compliance with major airlines. Simon is a current B747 rated pilot.

At Altara, Simon is responsible for the management of the Consulting division.

Alistair Dorward
Chief Executive Officer

Alistair has 25 years experience in the aviation industry, having held positions in Ground Handling, Cabin Operations and Cabin Crew Management. Alistair has worked as an approved Lead Auditor and Evaluator under the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Programme, managing a client base of over 40 airlines.

Alistair was instrumental in the set up and implementation of the Altara Resources recruitment and labour hire division which employs in excess of 500 personnel.

At Altara, Alistair is responsible for the oversight of the Consulting, Auditing, Training and Resources divisions.

Our Team

Ian Bagshaw
Ian is a Quality and Safety Management professional with over 40 years experience in the aviation industry. Ian has held positions in maintenance management with major airlines, senior management positions with the New Zealand CAA and has owned and directed a successful certified quality and safety management training organisation.
Ian has designed and delivered aviation Quality and Safety Management training courses to an international clientele that includes the Civil Aviation Authorities of the U.K., Australia, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, and New Zealand, as well as numerous airlines world wide. In addition, he has assessed numerous Organisations for ISO 9000 Quality Management System compliance, issuing accredited certificates of registration in New Zealand, Australia, India and Malaysia.
Ian is an experienced IOSA Auditor in the disciplines of Organisation & Management (ORG), Aircraft Engineering & Maintenance (MNT), Ground Handling Operations (GRH), Cargo Operations (CGO) and Operational Security (SEC).

Adrian Crombie
Adrian has over 30 year’s flight operations experience. Most recently, Adrian held the position of Flight Operations Inspector with the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Through his career, Adrian has approved numerous training Organisations throughout the globe, and holds significant training and checking experience.
Adrian has extensive auditing experience and has reviewed, critiqued and approved countless flight operations and training and checking manuals.

Trevor Bock
Trevor has 19 years experience in the aviation industry, having held positions as an airline Captain and various Safety and Quality Management roles.
Trevor is an organisation management specialist, a qualified instructor in Quality and Safety Auditor training, an Aviation Faculty University lecturer and qualified teacher.
Trevor is an experienced IOSA Lead Auditor in the disciplines of Organisation & Management (ORG), Flight Operations (FLT), Operational Control & Flight Dispatch (DSP), Cabin & Cargo Compartment Operations (CAB), Ground Handling Operations (GRH), Cargo Operations (CGO) and Operational Security (SEC).

Peter Doery
Peter has an extensive airline management career including having been Manager Flight Operations and Chief Pilot for a New Zealand domestic and international airline. For a significant part of his career he was a management pilot for a major Australian airline, specialising in the development of flight operations policies, procedures and documentation. Peter has significant experience in Check and Training and also has experience in ISO accreditation. Peter holds four ATPL licences and at present, he is current on long haul international operations.

Wenda Kemp
Wenda is an aircrew training and development specialist, with more than 30 years experience in cabin operations and Safety and Emergency Procedures training.
Wenda has developed and delivered regulatory approved flight and cabin crew training programmes throughout Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.

Megan White
Megan is a manual writing and compliance specialist with extensive flight operational experience.
Megan has compiled numerous flight operational manuals and compliance statements under a variety of different regulatory regimes and has previously held a command on a regional jet.

Duncan Watson
Duncan has nearly 40 years experience in the aviation industry, with a background in maintenance, airline management and quality and safety systems. Duncan has held senior maintenance management positions with several major airlines in both North America and Australia, and recently held the positions of Manager Quality and Safety, and Technical Director for an international air freight organisation in the UAE. . Duncan is an experienced auditor with a broad background in quality and safety auditing.
Duncan is an experienced IOSA Auditor in the disciplines of Organisation & Management (ORG), Aircraft Engineering & Maintenance (MNT), Ground Handling Operations (GRH) and Cargo Operations (CGO).