ROBSON, David Patrick “Lurch”

3/9/1944 – 7/8/2023, age 78, Wing Commander.

Passed away peacefully in Brisbane surrounded by family. David was a beloved husband, father, brother, stepfather, grandfather, father-in-law, uncle, son, friend and wingman. He was an aviation legend, a passionate artist, author and poet, and was kind, gentle, loving, curious, adventurous and brave, and we will miss him so much.

“On swept and delta wings, I saw the world where the atmosphere joined space, where flying alone, awe overcame fear. I felt euphoric and privileged. This was my high.”

(My Time Has Flown – David Robson)

Listen to David Robson interview.

David Robson Funeral video.

David Robson’s personal website “Bellgallerie”

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) (January 2024)

On Australia Day 2024 David Patrick Robson was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

List of honours

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division
The late Mr David Patrick Robson, Hamilton QLD 4007
For service to aviation.

Aviation Theory Centre

• Chief Executive Officer and Co-Director, 1998-2023.
• Producer, Professional Australian Defence Force Aviators’ Reference Manual (PAARM), Department of Defence.
• Producer, Aviation Reference Manual, AirServices Australia.

Aviation – Other

• Civilian Instructor and Lecturer, Australian Aviation College, South Australia, (now Flight Training Adelaide), late-1980s – early-1990s.
• Editor, Aviation Safety Digest, Civil Aviation Authority, 1986-1988.
• Member, Deltas aerobatic display team, 1971-1972.

Australian Defence Force

• Officer, Royal Australian Air Force, 1965-1985.

Other

• Former Volunteer, Temora Aviation Museum.
• Creator/Founder, The Bed Mate, 2020.
• Artist, Winds of Change exhibition, Northern Rivers Community Gallery and Ignite Studio, 2017.

Publications

• Author, Aerobatics : principles and practice, 2008.
• Author, Of Migs and Men – A Brief Summary of royal Australian air Force Operations in the Korean War, 2007.
• Author, Transition to Twins – Your First Multi-Engine Rating, 2000.
• Author, A brief history of the Cessna O-2A FAC aircraft in Vietnam, 2000.
• Author, In safe hands – the how and why of airline travel, 1999.

Awards and Recognition include:

• A range of service medals including the Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 with Clasps VIETNAM, MALAYSIA and THAILAND.
• Defence Force Service Medal with 1st Clasp, 1985.

We love you very much David and you will always be alive in our minds and hearts.