Chris Smallhorn

Background

About Chris Smallhorn

Military leader with 34 years in the Royal Australian Navy. Industry experience both through significant Defence industry roles, as CEO and VP Government Relations in civil aviation, and as an independent reviewer of major Defence projects and programs. Vice Chairman of the Board of Safeskies Australia and advisor to AMSL Aero, a unique Australian company developing Australia's first commercial passenger carrying eVTOL aircraft. I have a strong belief in safety based, sustainable, innovation led excellence in operations and see our people as our most important and valuable asset. Through a 34 year military career, I’ve been honoured to have been appointed to multiple command and staff appointments including Chief of Staff to the Chief of Navy, Director of the Navy’s Maritime Safety Bureau, Command of the Navy Flight Test unit (AMAFTU), 816 Squadron, and Commander of the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. Post military I have served in industry leadership roles at the CEO And VP levels, and now in roles that drive the future of sustainable aerospace, safety, national defence, and education to some of the future leaders of Australia and our nation's friends. I was awarded my Navy Wings in 1993 and have flown approximately 2500 hours in over 35 aircraft types and continue with that passion working with AMSL Aero Pty Ltd on the development of Australia's first commercial e-VTOL aircraft, a world unique hybrid hydrogen-battery design.