Seaplane Pilots Association Australia

Rohan Whittington - Vice President

Rohan has been a long time member of SPAA and is known for his many presentations at events like Whitsundays splash-in and AGM in 2021, also outlining his work on new propulsion systems for aircraft.  Rohan has over 35 yrs flying experience and has also helped with the water syllabus for RAAus, filling in knowledge gaps in endorsement training.

Based on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Rohan maintains a commercial and instructors rating and owns and operates Super Petrel Australia , acting as import and sales agent for the Super Petrel manufacturer, Scoda Aeronautica. He’s trained about 9 new seaplane pilots including our own Shane Finney.  

David Bloomfield - Treasurer

David joined SPAA in 2025 and immediately was nominated for the role of Secretary Treasurer. 

David is a former electrical engineer, tech entrepreneur and property developer. He started flying gliders at age 25, later gaining a PPL and now a RAAus registered Adventura 2 seaplane. He has a floating hull endorsement with James Stewart.  David has also owned a Europa (TW) and a Diamond Katana, flying it from Whitsundays to Tasmania.

Now retired he built two of his aircraft while also also enjoying riding hisvintage Harley motorbike and mountain eBike, paddling ocean ski and sailing his McGregor 26 yacht.

David Skinner  
Secretary

David Skinner joined the committee in 2021 and has been Vice President since 2023.

David started flying with RA Aus 10 years and has moved to GA, gaining aerobatic and tailwheel endorsements and considers himself very lucky to have done his water endorsement with the venerable Kevin Bowe before Kevin’s retirement.  

Working as a Civil Engineer, you’ve almost certainly seen some of his handiwork having worked on all of the major airports throughout Australia.

David is excitedly awaiting delivery of his Vickers Wave having put his name in very early on the brand new aircraft. Consequently we in SPAA are all looking forward to its arrival. 

Jock Folan - Committee

John served in the RAAF as an Airframe/Engine technician for 23 years until 1998 when he started flying in GA and RA, and was also an skydiver for 20 years representing Australia at the 1989 World Championships.

On leaving the RAAF and until 2022 he was in business supporting acquisition and sustainment of Defence equipment, using his technician experience in aircraft systems. John currently owns and flys an IFR and aerobatic F33C Beechcraft Bonanza, a Pitts S2-A and a Reims C-150 tailwheel Aerobat.  His  partner Louise Fergusson owns and operates a Super Petrel LS. Flying experience also includes Jump Flying in both piston and turbine aircraft, glider towing, aerobatics with a 500 ft AGL Low Level approval, formation flying and (of course) Floating Hull, aiming to also add Floats plane flying to his list.  

Keith Clark - Committee

Keith Clark has been with SPAA since 2005, has served as President and is the editor of the newsletter.

Keith built his Searey (VH-ZRA) which first flew in 2009 and received his floating hull endorsement under Robert Loneragan.

Perhaps showing questionable financial judgement, Keith acquired two Lake Buccaneers (VH-ASS and VH-DQN) which reside at Wedderburn in Sydney's south, while his Searey resides at Smiths Lake on the NSW Mid North Coast.