| Norman Brearley | |
|---|---|
Norman Brearley in the 1920s |
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| Born | 1890 Geelong, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 9 June 1989 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Pilot |
| Title | Sir |
Sir Norman Brearley CBE was a commercial and military pilot and one of the pioneers of the airline industry within Australia.
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Born in Geelong, Victoria in 1890, Brearley moved to Western Australia in 1906.[1]
In April, 1915, after undertaking a 5-year apprenticeship as a mechanic, he worked his way to the United Kingdom and subsequently enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps.[2] Whilst flying in France during World War I he was badly wounded in October, 1916, and returned to Western Australia to recover.[2]
In 1921, Brearley founded West Australian Airways Ltd.[1] In the same year, Brearley was issued with the first civil pilot's licence under the 1921 Air Navigation Regulations.[1] Despite his holding licence No. 2, licence No. 1 was not issued until the 1930s in honour of Amy Johnson's record flight from London to Australia.[1]
In 1927, Brearley opened the Perth Flying School at Maylands. He retired from commercial aviation in 1936 when he merged his airline with Australian National Airways.[2]
He later served with the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II.[1]
Brearley was knighted in 1971.[1]
Brearley died on 9 June, 1989.[1]