School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of South Australia’s 
 

In 1985 the University of South Australia’s (UniSA) antecedent institution the South Australian Institute of Technology introduced Australasia’s first tertiary award course in Aviation. This established the Aviation Discipline in the Australasian region. Steve Thatcher was a founding member of the team that introduced this award and remains the longest serving Aviation Academic in Australia.In 1990 UniSA established Australia’s first University owned and operated flight training school, UniSA Aviation Academy. Steve Thatcher was a founding member of the team that established the Aviation Academy.

 

Steve was also the founder of the Aviation Education, Research and Operations Laboratory (AERO Lab). He is currently the Founding Team Leader of AERO Lab. He was also a founding member of the Australasian University Aviation Association.In 2005 Steve successfully negotiated the SA Government Fixed Wing Shark Patrol Service for UniSA Aviation. UniSA Shark Patrol provides a valuable community service and has provided graduate pilots with valuable flight time experience at a stage in their careers when it is relatively difficult to get flight experience. UniSA Shark Patrol recently won the Chancellors Award for Community Engagement.In 2006 Steve designed the new flight training curriculum for the Aviation Academy and facilitated the replacement of the Academy's training fleet.In 2004 Steve won the Best Paper Award for the best paper presentation of the conference for “Theoretical Framework for a Knowledge-based Intelligent Enhancement to an Aircraft Ground Proximity Warning System” at the AISAT-2004 Conference in Hobart. In 2006 Steve was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Community Engagement for the establishment of the UniSA Shark Patrol Service. In 2007 Steve won the Platinum Award for Best Paper for the paper “Scenario-based Assessment in Aviation Education.” at the 11th Baltic Conference on Engineering Education held 17th -20th June in Tallinn, Estonia.In 2007 Steve was awarded the Silver Badge of Honour. UNESCO International Centre for Engineering Education’s (UICEE) Silver Badge of Honour for distinguished contributions to engineering education, outstanding achievements in the globalisation of engineering education through the activities of the Centre, and, in particular, for remarkable service to the UICEE.

 

Steve has qualifications in Physics, Psychology, Engineering, Education and Aviation. He has been a Jackaroo in South West Queensland, a Mechanical Engineer for British Aerospace (UK) and has lectured in Physics, Electronics and Aviation. He holds a Commercial Pilot Licence and a Grade One Instructor Rating and has trained many of the University's flight instructors.