During almost 50 years of AFAP membership, Richard Higgins has held the positions of President (2000-2006) and, more recently, National Pilot Council Chair.
Within a few years of joining the AFAP in 1975, he had also served Vice Chair of the South Australian Branch and later as Vice President (representing general aviation members from 1981 to 1985).
For 25 years he was also a Trustee of the Aviation Superannuation Trust before it was rolled into Australian Super.
Richard has held an ATPL with a Grade1 Instructors rating, Flight Examiners Rating and Chief Pilot approvals with extensive experience in check and training.
Retiring from active flying in 2018 with a total of 25,500 hours, he continues to provide simulator training for students gaining experience for their Command Instrument Ratings and MCC training on the B737 simulator.
Richard’s initial interest in pilot welfare – and his ongoing support of the Member Assistance Program - followed the completely unexpected death by suicide of two pilots with whom he had worked closely.